CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 17, 2013) -
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Enbridge Gas Distribution has donated $450,000 worth of equipment, including a directional drill system, to Fleming College's Resources Drilling and Blasting program, which will ensure students are trained on the latest equipment being used in the field.
Enbridge officially announced the donation at a special event held at the Parnham Training Centre at the Frost Campus of Fleming College on Monday June 17.
"Enbridge Gas Distribution has a strong commitment to education and training, and is proud to support students at Fleming College," said Michael Wagle, Operations Manager, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "This equipment is commonly used by many construction and utility companies, and will help ensure students have the knowledge and hands-on experience to safely install underground pipes or cables."
The complete directional drill system includes a 2012 Ditch witch JT 20/20 drill, a 2012 International service truck with a fluid mixing system and an on-board air compressor as well as a 10-ton enclosed float trailer, an 8500 tracking system and a complete set of down hole tools.
The equipment is used to facilitate the installation of underground utilities, such as gas or fibre optic cables, by drilling horizontally rather than digging an open trench. This practice avoids the environmental and social costs of open-trenching operations, which may involve tearing up roads, interrupting traffic, or disturbing creek beds. Students will learn how to safely and effectively operate the equipment in horizontal directional drilling classes in the third semester of the four-semester (two-year) diploma program.
"We are very grateful for this donation from Enbridge. The students will be learning on current technology that they will see as soon as they enter the construction or utilities industries. This will make our graduates more employable for the growing trenchless-installation industries," said Steve Wilkinson, Coordinator of the Resources Drilling and Blasting program.
"Experiential learning is what sets this learning experience apart from the rest. Seventy-five per cent of the program learning is in our drilling test field with students on the seat of the drill. This applied learning enforces theoretical learning from the class to the drilling equipment, thus allowing the student to develop real skills required for the job."
About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas Distribution delivers safe, reliable natural gas in more than 100 communities across Ontario and is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com .
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About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Community Development and Health, Continuing Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Justice and Business, Skilled Trades and Technology, General Arts and Science and Visual Arts. Fleming College has more than 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 65,000 alumni.
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