By Sarah Klein
(Tractor tire image via Shutterstock)
WINNIPEG — A new heavy equipment program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology will prepare students for jobs in a high-demand industry, the province has announced.
Through a partnership with the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, students in the program will receive a heavy equipment operator certificate.
“The development of this program ensures employees have the right skills to work in Manitoba’s highly competitive and rewarding construction industry,” said Paul Holden, president and CEO of MITT.
“This program will meet the needs of industry for trained employees, and is an innovative and cost-effective approach.”
Through the eight-week program, students will learn to operate crawler tractors, hydraulic excavators, motor graders and rubber tire loaders. Students will also use training simulators to learn to work safely and efficiently with heavy equipment. The province contributed $150,000 toward the purchase of the simulators, with three more being purchased and donated by Brandt Tractor. Toromont CAT contributed to offset the cost of the original four.
Students in the program, which begins in January 2016, will receive a heavy equipment operator certificate.
