December 2009

Most in-situ developments are located in remote areas out in the bush.

Companies usually provide on-site camp housing for workers during all phases of an in-situ development, from exploration and construction to plant operations and maintenance.

Fort McMurray and other towns are usually too far away for workers to commute each day, so they stay their whole shift—usually one or two weeks—at the camp.

Don’t worry, you won’t be tenting!
Camps today are modern facilities much like hotels or dorms. Workers usually have their own rooms, although some may have to share rooms or bathrooms, depending on their job and their seniority. Food and housekeeping are provided. Most facilities have amenities such as recreation and fitness centres, Internet and satellite television. Some even have Starbucks or Tim Horton's coffee shops. Some camps are dry, meaning no alcohol is permitted.

Fly in, fly out
Some companies may fly employees to the work site, but this is usually only a perk offered to skilled workers. For example, Connacher has a charter plane that flies plant operations staff to its SAGD site from certain pick-up points, including Edmonton, Red Deer, Peace River or Bonnyville. Other workers may be bussed to the work site from specified pick-up points. Some workers drive their own vehicles to the camp.

Pre-employment testing
Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is a common requirement for most industrial and construction jobs—any job that brings you onto an oil sands site.

The information in this issue of Labour Market News was current as of the date shown. Employment outlook, salaries and educational programs may change. Please verify the information with additional sources before making career or business investment decisions. Contact us for more information.