Ok this is right up my alley. I put everything on the line in June and drove 12 hours to Nisku, Alberta ( the town you need to go to, as this is where majority of the oil rig offices are ) seeking a job. I learned a lot, the main thing is this is the "slow" season for rigs, because it is very weather dependent this time of year. Too much rain, that rig ain't moving. The rigs that are running like beasts this time of the year are not home to "green" (new) workers. From what I hear september/october is when things start picking up. Winter is booming for rigs. I personally plan on going rigging at the end of september ( currently working at a factory for now ). You will need $600-1000 for proper gear. A lot of the time you will not be working on a camp and be responsible for your own accomodation; they do give $140.00 a day Living Out Allowance which is non-taxable, however, you will not see any of this until your first cheque, so again, $1000.00 for living expenses till you get rolling is ideal. Also the standard work period is 14 days on 7 off, the odd company offers 20 on 10 off. For courses you need a minimum of First aid level 1 for industry and H2S alive. They should train you the rest if needed. Last but not least, you will most likely be expected to show up on site on your own, so a 4WD vehicle is ideal, don't expect to carpool with these people because most of them are pricks. My bad if this puts a damper on your plans, but I was in your shoes a month and a half ago and got slapped with the reality, so I will do whatever I can to save you that trouble.
Poundtown.
