Portage College recently concluded a research study with Washington-based group Hanover Research in an effort to better define the curriculum and best-practices for building Alberta's first Pipeline Process Loop.

The study surveyed existing international institutions and looked at frequently offered courses, funding practices and third-party involvement to help subsidize cost.

"We undertook this survey with Hanover to get a better understanding of the best practices in implementing the Pipeline Process Loop project," said Dr. Trent Keough, President and CEO of Portage College. "This research will not only help us move forward with the project, it'll allow us to use the best practices from an elite group of educators to build the Process Loop."

All pipeline training centres researched and profiled offer short-term safety and technical training courses that certify or re-certify oil and gas workers that work with boots-on-the-ground training.

"We felt that this kind of knowledge would be crucial to the next stage of this project," Keough said. "We're looking forward to working with Government and with the Town of Boyle to build the province's first ever Pipeline Process Loop."

 To read the Hanover Research report on Pipeline Training Centres: click here