During the March 6 District of Sparwood Council meeting, Brian Conrad from the College of the Rockies presented Project Heavy Duty to Sparwood Council Members, requesting their support. Following the delegation, Council approved in-kind support for up to $4,500 for this year’s Project Heavy Duty event to take place in Sparwood from May 29-31.
Project Heavy Duty has been acclaimed as a great opportunity for students to learn safe equipment operation, as well as obtain some valuable certificates, which will help build a resume.
Twenty-four high school students from School District No. 5 will be given an in-depth look at the possibilities in construction industry jobs.
Safety training, and mentoring from equipment operators will be the focus in this hands-on experience. WorkSafeBC will supply students with a hard hat, high-visibility vest, gloves and safety glasses. Students will be responsible for supplying the appropriate footwear.
Also included in the experience will be two days of First Aid Level 1 training, WorkSafeBC Safety Orientations and a tour of Teck’s Elkview Operations and SMS Equipment Ltd. in Elkford. The College of the Rockies will provide the Occupational First Aid Level 1 training.
There will be two days of on-site heavy equipment operations. This will take place at the District of Sparwood gravel pit located at Highway No. 43 and Arbutus Road, north of Sparwood.
During the tour and hands-on demo, students will be covered under School District No. 5’s liability insurance. Safety officials will be on-site at all times.
Students interested in taking part in this learning experience are required to complete an application form, which will be received by the School District’s Counsellors, who check attendance and course history. The students will then be interviewed for the program.
For more information contact Sharlene Charest at Sparwood Secondary School, Tristan Taylor at Fernie Secondary School or Erin Hay at Elkford Secondary School.
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