One of TRU's heavy equipment simulators is explained.

Thompson Rivers University today accepted a donation of $373,000 from Great West Equipment in Vernon. The funds will be used to provide the necessary equipment for the new Heavy Equipment Operator training programs, in both Civil and Forestry streams.

The mining, construction and forest industries in the B.C. interior are currently experiencing a shortage of trained equipment operators. The new HEO programs are aimed at providing individuals, who are unemployed, non-EI clients, with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to obtain a higher paying employment in the construction, mining or forest industries. Funding for these programs is provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labor Market Agreement. Training will proceed with the collaborative efforts of the Interior Logging Association, the BC Aboriginal Mining Training Association and regional contractors and licensees in Williams Lake, Kamloops and Clearwater.

“TRU has a long tradition of partnerships with industry, partnerships which let us fill the growing skills gap in our province and meet the training and future employment needs of our students”, said Christopher Seguin, VP Advancement, “Trades continues to be an incredibly important part of TRU, and we are all happy to see this tradition continue.”

“We highly value the support from Great West Equipment,” said Lindsay Langill, Dean of TRU’s School of Trades and Technology. “With the number of projects on the books with government, many involving upgrading infrastructure, there are many employment opportunities for our students.”

“Our business depends on these industries being healthy and growing,” said Colin Matejka, Chief Operating Officer of Great West Equipment. “We are proud to support a program that in turn ensures our customers have the skilled operators they need to succeed in construction, mining and forest harvesting.”

Great West Equipment is a BC company with 10 branches located throughout the province, each one locally owned and operated. “We are big enough to support an important initiative like this, but still small enough to respond quickly to the needs of our local community and industries,” Matejka added.

TRU’s HEO training programs provides essential skills in the classroom, as well as a combined theory and practical experience on the work site. The programs will prepare students to become entry level operators in a civil construction, mining or forest harvesting environment.

MORE INFORMATION
Lindsay Langill,
TRU Dean of Trades and Technology
(p) 250-828-5110
(e) lblangill@tru.ca