Eleven students from First Nations communities across the province have graduated from the Heavy Equipment Operator program, which is a two month course from a partnership between Parkland College and CP Rail. This was the third and final session of this program.

While in the Heavy Equipment Operator program (HEO) students developed technical knowledge, employability skills, and earned safety tickets in First Aid/CPR, Ground Disturbance, H2S Alive, Power Mobile Equipment (PME), and Safety Construction Orientation Training (SCOT). North Valley Waste Management Authority then provided work experience for the students.

A news release from Parkland College says heavy equipment operators are in high demand all across Canada. It is estimated that over 25,000 operators are required to keep up with infrastructure and project work.