FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Finding people to fill job openings is hard to find in nearly every sector, so companies operating heavy equipment in northern B.C. are going to the people and with a safety message taking priority.

WorkSafeBC has partnered with Project Heavy Duty, an alliance of the North Peace business community and Fort St. John School District #60, to provide participating students with an opportunity to experience heavy equipment training, a key part of which includes rigorous safety orientation.

Twenty-three Grade 11 and 12 students attended safety orientation and training provided by WorkSafeBC, Flint Energy Services and School District #60 prior to the start of a week of intensive heavy-duty equipment experience.

“Many of you will go on to work in this industry – maybe owning your own companies,” said David Vince, WorkSafeBC regional prevention manager, to the students. “What you learn this week will develop your skills and prepare you to pass on the safety skills you learn to the next generation.”

Work on the site began May 26 at 6:30 a.m., when the young workers received breakfast and a site orientation. For the next five days, they received hands-on experience with excavators, side boom cats, backhoes, bulldozers, graders, feller bunchers, skidders and articulating dump trucks under the watchful eyes of professional heavy equipment operators.

The students will construct a standard oilfield lease, lay a pipeline, excavate and strip soil, build roads and be part of active logging operations.

Many of the graduates of previous Project Heavy Duty training are now teaching the program and donating equipment, noted WorkSafeBC.