Confederation College Answers Demand for Heavy Equipment Operators in NWO

Confederation College, in partnership with Greenstone Gold Mines and More Than Words (MTW) Employment Services, received funding to train 90 Heavy Equipment Operators over 12 months. This project had a goal to ensure a resilient workforce who are fully competent, highly skilled and can support the growing demand for operators in the Greenstone region.

Training moved quickly, with the first cohort starting in May 2022. The participants completed pre-employment activities focused on mining as a career and the ability to transition a work-life balance. Next the participants began the practical portion of the program.  Each student received 75 hours of training on 3 pieces of heavy equipment - excavators, front-end loaders and dozers.

In the final week of training, students had the opportunity to participate in a “showcase” where they demonstrated their skills for local employers looking to recruit.

Our last cohort finished in November 2022. And we are proud to share that in six months, the program saw 84 out of 90 participants successfully complete the training hours. Out of the 84 participants, 62 are already employed, which is a 74% employment rate. 

“This program is a great example of how our College is meeting the needs of industry in our region quickly and successfully”.

-Program Manager, Nick Iachetta