WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016 9
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
MAKING THE GRADE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM GAINS TRACTION
INVESTMENT IN HEAVY CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT THE MANITOBA INSTITUTE OF TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY (MITT) IS PAYING OFF WITH INTEREST. A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR CERTIFICATE (HEOC) PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2016 DREW SO MUCH INTEREST FROM STUDENTS THAT MITT IS DEVELOPING A SPINOFF PROGRAM TO TRAIN ENTRY-LEVEL HEAVY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
T he eight-week HEOC program — developed in partnership with the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) and Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) — is intended for workers who have some experience operating heavy equipment. But after fielding almost 100 calls from people who have no previous experience, MITT plans to offer an introductory program next year. “We want to create this other program that will help them get their foot in the door in the industry,” MITT Sr. Manager, Business Development, Beverlie Stuart says. “There are so many people that are interested in a career in heavy construction … and when the calls were coming in there were a number of females that were calling, which really is quite interesting to us. They have a real keen interest in pursuing that career.” Stuart says MITT is looking at developing a comprehensive program for entry- level workers in the industry that would cover essential skills, safety courses, work-site document use and heavy equipment-simulator training. The program would be timed to wrap up at the start of the construction season, which would allow students to segue directly into a practicum. “So it’s ideal for companies that are looking to hire,” Stuart says. “As opposed to somebody off the street, they would
> Proof of skills certification is a valuable asset to construction companies. When bidding on contract or subcontract work, certification demonstrates their commitment to training, education and excellence.
already have their certifications as far as safety and entry-level skills.” Meanwhile, the first HEOC program is being enhanced to align more closely with the training needs of experienced operators. Unique among heavy construction training programs in Manitoba, the program had public-sector as well as industry support. The federally funded Canada-Manitoba Job Grant reduced direct costs to employers investing in worker training, and the province provided $150,000 to help buy state- of-the-art simulators. Toromont CAT donated funds and Brandt Tractor donated three simulators to the program, which combined classroom instruction with hands-on experience operating hydraulic excavators, loaders, motor graders and dozers. The simulators — which track operators’ skills, productivity and safety as students complete a series of lesson plans — drastically reduced the cost of training to about $5,800 per student, as opposed to as much as $17,000 in the field. Students who completed the course in late February in the initial program
provided feedback, and Stuart says some suggested elements of the program should be more challenging, with recognition of prior learning. For example, students may already have certification for safety courses that were included in the HEOC curriculum. The inaugural class of 16 students included a mix of entry-level participants and experienced heavy equipment operators. The next class will cater to experienced heavy equipment operators. “Experienced operators would receive credit for prior training which could reduce classroom and practicum requirements,” Stuart says. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive an advanced operator certificate, which is a valuable asset to construction companies. When bidding on contract or subcontract work, certification demonstrates their commitment to training, education and excellence. The program was designed to be mobile, and MITT is working with industry partners to find a financially feasible way to deliver it in northern and First Nations communities. ■
BY PAT ST. GERMAIN
> The simulators — which track operator skill and equipment safety as students complete a series of lesson plans — drastically reduced the cost of training to about $5,800 per student, as opposed to as much as $17,000 in the field.
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