September 17, 2015
Province Announces New Partnership to Help Train Heavy Equipment Operators
– – –New Program at Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology Will Train Students in High-demand Field: Minister Chief
A new program will train Manitobans to operate heavy equipment, preparing young people for jobs in a high-demand industry and connecting employers with the skilled workers they need to continue building the province, Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief announced today.
“To keep Manitoba’s economy growing we need more than 12,000 workers over the next decade in the construction industry alone,” said Minister Chief. “Together we’re helping young people across the province get training for these good jobs so they can earn a living for themselves, their families and so they can give back to their hometowns and neighbourhoods.”
The new program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) is 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. They will learn to operate crawler tractors, hydraulic excavators, motor graders and rubber tire loaders. Students will also be able to use cutting-edge training simulators to learn to work safely and efficiently with heavy equipment.
“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 chief executive officer, MITT. “This program will meet the needs of industry for trained employees, and is an innovative and cost-effective approach.”
The Manitoba government provided $150,000 in financial support toward the purchase of four simulators, which helped leverage support from key industry stakeholders, Minister Chief said. Brandt Tractor donated an additional three training simulators and Toromont CAT offset the cost of two of the original four simulators for the total purchase of seven new simulators.
The eight-week program begins in Jan. 2016 so students will be ready for future construction seasons, the minister noted.
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