Sask DLC oil and gas courses benefit students

June 03, 2026

Media Release, Education, Gov't SK

Key points from this story:

• 37 students gained real-world experience
• Courses: 50 hours theory, 50 hours placement
• Sask DLC supports 25 oil and gas placements
• More than 600 students in work placements
• Energy Production 20 course launching 2026-27
• Registration open for 2026-27 online courses

"Through Sask DLC's partnership with industry like the energy sector in our province, students are able to explore future career opportunities in an industry that is vital to our economy, while earning credits towards graduation," Minister Responsible for Sask DLC Everett Hindley said. "These are important jobs in many communities and Sask DLC is providing opportunities for students to see these careers in action, ensuring they are well supported to pursue their chosen profession at home in Saskatchewan."

These online high school elective courses combine 50 hours of online theory with 50 hours of industry-supported work placement, giving students a balanced introduction to safety, operations, environmental practices and career pathways in one of Saskatchewan's most vital industries. The courses are designed to give students a foundation that is valuable whether they choose post-secondary studies or enter the workforce directly.

"When you are onsite you see everything in person and up close while it is working and it makes it so much easier to understand how different parts of the operation work," Oil and Gas 30 student Miciah Willms said. "Taking part in the work placement has helped me understand what a career in this field would look like. I have had the chance to discover what skills I need and whether it is a good fit for my future."

Student work placements are made possible thanks to support and collaboration with industry partners. Work placements offer students a valuable opportunity to experience the work, and pace, of a career they would like to explore. Students are able to explore a field of interest, as well as related careers within the industry, and to see for themselves if this career might be right for them.

"Whitecap Resources is proud to support this important initiative," Whitecap Resources Vice President of Production Jordan May said. "The students' curiosity and enthusiasm for our industry and its career opportunities have been inspiring. We look forward to building on this program and helping more Saskatchewan students explore pathways to become the next generation of workers and leaders in our industry."

The development and delivery of these courses is supported through an MOU with Teine Energy, Whitecap Resources, Strathcona Resources and Cenovus Energy who provided valuable industry expertise as part of a steering committee. Whitecap, Teine and Strathcona have also supported student safety training and work placements.

Since the launch of the 20-level course in the 2024-25 school year and the 30-level course in 2025-26, there has been a waitlist of students interested in registering. Sask DLC is currently able to support 25 oil and gas-focused work placements each school year, however this may expand as additional energy companies join the existing partners to increase the number of available work placements, as well as the areas of the province we can support students in exploring these future careers.

These online courses are based on the Ministry of Education's existing Energy and Mines curriculum and are available to high school students across the province, whether they choose to learn full-time online or supplement their in-class learning with one or more online courses.

These courses complement similar hands-on learning and work placement opportunities available to students through Sask DLC, including:

• Agriculture Equipment Technician
• Autobody
• Construction and Carpentry
• Electrical
• Mechanical and Automotive
• Parts Technician
• Power Engineering 4th and 5th class
• Precision Agriculture
• Tourism
• Welding

This school year alone, more than 600 students are participating in work placements through Sask DLC's courses, being introduced to a wide range of potential career paths.

Additionally, Sask DLC is launching a new full online theory course called Energy and Mines - Energy Production 20 for the 2026-27 school year that will introduce students to how electricity is produced in our province to power homes, businesses and communities.

Registration is now open for all 2026-27 online courses offered through Sask DLC. You can learn more at http://www.saskdlc.ca/. High school students are encouraged to select their online courses before the end of June as they build their schedule for next school year, with the support of the guidance counsellor or academic advisor.