BJ Services opens employee development centre in Aberdeen

BJ Services announced that it has opened an Employee Development Centre (EDC) in Aberdeen to enhance its range of training services and development resources for employees in the Europe and Africa regions, and in the BJ Process and Pipeline Services (BJ PPS) and BJ Tubular Services divisions.

Located in Altens, the new facility accommodates regional training classes by providing multiple classrooms, plus office space for up to 12 staff members and an employee/student canteen. ìTo provide additional hands-on equipment training, we established a training area in the yard at our Badentoy base that features a classroom, pipe-loop and open space to run operational equipment,î said Jim Cameron, training manager for BJ Services Europe-Africa Region, BJ Process and Pipeline Services and BJ Tubular Services. ìIn addition, the Tubular Services division has the ability to provide hands-on training at its world headquarters in Altens.î

Dedicated Training Centre Speeds Learning
ìThe primary advantage of operating a self-contained training centre is that it makes it possible for the company to focus on whatís important: training BJ employees to offer the safest, most competent service to its customers,î said Cameron. ìFrom an employee training perspective, itís ideal to have a dedicated facility that is physically separated from the operations base. It allows everyone to focus on training activities without the predictable distractions that arise in any large office complex. Thereís nothing to interfere with our ability to concentrate all of our attention on the task at hand. As a result, weíve found that employees are able to absorb information more efficiently and learn more effectively.î

Boosting Support for Operations Around the World
With the transfer of the coiled tubing (CT) simulator from the Badentoy base to the new Altens facility, training staff can more effectively assist operations by providing coiled tubing and pumping services training for employees throughout Europe and Africa. The CT simulator was recently upgraded and now includes a new 360-degree graphics package that provides students with a much better visual impression of the job site during CT operations. In addition to coiled tubing and pumping services, EDC-based employees provide full operational training support for BJ PPS and BJ Tubular Services personnel around the world.

Comprehensive Training Offered
In conjunction with providing training classes in service-line operations, QHSE, engineering, human resources, and sales and leadership fundamentals, BJ training staff provide ongoing assistance to employees wishing to progress within the companyís Career Advancement Programmes (CAPs). Dedicated on-site computers enable on-line testing and training staff are available to answer questions and guide employees through the relevant CAP to help them gain in-house qualifications and, ultimately, a promotion to the next level of their career path at BJ. Should employees wish to use these resources for e-learning training classes in other disciplines, the computers are also available to access PowerCenter, BJís intranet service.

Ensuring Quality and Consistency
Training managers and senior training coordinators based at the EDC oversee the content and delivery of the training curriculum to help the region cope with the continued expansion of BJís worldwide operations. Forums are held where BJ training staff gathers from around the world to discuss new classes, techniques and operational training requirements. Regional classes and CAP participation are monitored and audited to ensure consistency throughout the operational spectrum of all global operations.

BJ Services Company (BJS-NYSE, CBOE) is a leading provider of pressure pumping and related oilfield services to the petroleum industry. The company operates in every major oil and gas producing region.