Enbridge has supported local employment in North Dakota with the development of a 20-inch pipeline running between Neche and Clearbrook.

According to the Grand Forks Herald, more than 400 people have been working on the project, while the company has also announced that it will extend its operations in the state with the development of a new pipeline which could create further job opportunities.

The new 26-inch pipeline will extend through the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Clearwater, Beltrami and on through the Grand Rapids and Duluth-Superior areas and into Wisconsin and Illinois.

Enbridge claims to pursue a grassroots approach to training and development of its staff and focuses on the nurture of a safety culture among its workforce.

In 2006, pipeline employees received an average of 29 hours worth of safety training, while transportation staff received 19 hours.

Safety training is mandatory for all field-based staff, which constitute 61 per cent of the company's workforce.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development