New NLC course sees 80% hired before course finishes

By Kathy Smith
Approximately 30 students attended a celebratory barbecue at Northern Lights College last week as a wrap-up for the first Heavy Equipment Operators course, at which time students received their certificates of completion.  Of the nine graduates, 80 per cent had secured employment even before the program was finished, and the college is receiving interest from employers for the other 20 per cent.
Ashley Diamond of NLC’s Workforce Training department, says part of excitement was seeing the look on the instructors face when he was presented with a gift of appreciation; “HEO Instructor John Fox came all the way from Salmon Arm to teach here, and he was blown away when we presented him with a gift…we appreciate our instructor for his efforts, the student’s dedication to the program, and all of the contributors who worked with us to make this program so successful,” says Diamond.
Funded by the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement under the BC Jobs Plan, the 12 week program was held from July 8th to September 27th.  It consisted of Airbrakes Endorsement, Occupational First Aid Level 1, Transportation Endorsement, Ground Disturbance, Forklift Training, Light Duty Vehicle, H2S Alive, and 300 hours of work experience.
Students’ work experience took place at the new motocross track adjacent to the Fort Nelson Regional Airport.  Work on the track began from the ground up by clearing grass, re-vamping the existing track, and building jumps to make the track safe to ride.
Fort Nelson Campus Administrator, Laurie Dolan, says; “Many labour market studies identify Heavy Equipment Operators as being in the top five occupations that are much needed now, and in the future.  Based on the need for Heavy Equipment Operators, the college will be looking at the possibility of running another training program next year.”
Students entering the course must be 17 years of age, have grade 10 math and English, or score the equivalent on a CAAT test.  They cannot currently be collecting E.I. or have been on E.I. in the past three years, and must qualify as unemployed or under-employed.  They must also be in good physical condition.
Contributors who helped make the program and the building of the motocross track a success, include; NLC Instructor John Fox, M&M Resources, Blue Canyon Concrete, Blue’s Logistics Edmonton, Rick Seidel (Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club), Jim White (Peace Country Petro), Brian Warren (CAT Rentals), Don and Dylan Brown (Fort Nelson Motocross Club), Chance Whidden, CAT Rentals Grande Prairie, and NAPA Auto Parts.
“It takes a community to come together to have a successful program such as this.  It happened because of our partners and our sponsors.  Everybody involved showed great dedication and support,” says Dolan.

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