Brian Zinchuk: Saskatchewan’s Oil and Gas 20 high school class is everything I hoped for.

“All-in-all, the new Oil and Gas 20 and 30 classes are among the best things I’ve seen the Saskatchewan government do for the oilpatch. Thank you to the premier, ministers who have implemented it (Jeremy Cockrill and Everett Hindley), Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre. and all in the ministry and oil companies who made it happen. And thank you for having the courage to do so, in spite of the braying criticism.

“For parents in the oil patch whose kids might have an inkling to follow in their footsteps, I strongly urge you to sign them up for next year’s class. This year the numbers were limited. Hopefully that will be expanded. Don’t miss out.

“Our industry needed this affirmation. We matter. And our kids need a chance to learn about it.

“Bravo.”

And for those who might not have seen the initial criticism of the very idea of oil companies getting involved with a class about their industry, from last summer here’s Murray Mandryk and Phil Tank.