Getting the skills to succeed
This facility offers equipment operator courses to suit a range of learners
As of summer 2011, O'Brien Training became an Industry Training Authority-designated school, and successful students will be Red Sealed. — photo courtesy O'Brien Training
O’Brien Training and Taylor Professional Driving are two arms of a private training facility in Prince George, B.C., that are offering more than just heavy-equipment operation and commercial driver training. With programs structured to meet a broad range of skill levels and academic requirements, O’Brien and Taylor offer something learners may not find elsewhere: accessibility.
Heavy-equipment operator (HEO) courses on the O’Brien side cover machines, technology and safety. Taylor Professional Driving has classes 1, 3 and 4 training, airbrake programs and long-haul/low-bed courses.
The school markets itself as a practical, hands-on training facility suitable for learners of all ages and skill levels.
“Many of our students are not ‘book people,’ ” said Brent Scheer, the marketing and sales manager, “so we have them in the machine, asking questions; we’re drawing pictures for them and having them open their books—and discussing their strengths and weaknesses as they come up.”
Scheer said applicants are initially assessed for interests and skill level before being directed into a fitting program.
“We may have an unemployed forestry worker wanting to get into mining,” said Scheer. “He could take his skills and apply them to mining equipment like rock truck, grader and excavator, and have enough experience to be certified in a week.”
Safety training is key to staying competitive in an employer’s market, said Scheer.
“Oil and gas and mining are forerunners in safety,” he said. “Applicants who come to the job with these tickets look better for the position.”
O’Brien will soon be an Industry Training Authority (ITA)-designated school. Under the new rules, learners will need Grade 10 math and basic trigonometry and geometry to understand grading and sloping.
Job prospects are good for HEOs and commercial drivers, said Scheer.
“People call us from all across the country for heavy-equipment operators and drivers,” he said. “We’ve put our reputation on recommendations for some students that are exceptional and they’ve done us proud.”
