Monday, December 2, 2019

HEO Pilot Project Highlights Partnership Approach

In June 2018, CLAC Training launched a heavy equipment operator (HEO) pilot program at the Site C Clean Energy Project. The current HEO program poses many roadblocks to accessibility and often certifies graduates who are inexperienced and whose employability in the trade is low, despite many having incurred a hefty debt load to take training. The CLAC model is designed to address these problems by offering a program that emphasizes on-the-job experience and is offered at a flexible pace, while strengthening links between employers, workers, and training.

The complex conditions of the Site C project and the willingness of stakeholders to work together toward an innovative solution provides a rare opportunity to identify and validate HEOs who exemplify the standard of qualification, competency, and skill required by the industry. The program was awarded a BC Jobs Grant and is offered in partnership with Thompson Rivers University for online course delivery. To date, CLAC Training’s project has seen 20 heavy equipment operators graduate from the program.

The success of this course shows the power of partnerships between industry, institutions, and labour. We believe the best HEO journeypersons are built over time in real work situations. We are looking forward to a provincial review of the program and hope that the cost savings, positive results, and industry’s acceptance of graduates lend weight to this innovative program approach.

HEO Pilot Project Highlights Partnership Approach

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