Parkland college partners with RM of Foam Lake to deliver heavy equipment operator program

Heavy Equipment Operator students and instructor pose with a scraper used in the project.

Foam Lake, SK - A shortage of skilled labourers is a constant challenge for Saskatchewan's booming construction and resource sectors. But a partnership between the Rural Municipality of Foam Lake No. 276 and Parkland College is helping to address that shortage.

Three individuals recently completed the Heavy Equipment Operator training program in the RM of Foam Lake. The participants upgraded a low-level crossing on an all-weather road by installing two large culverts. The project was tested almost immediately by torrential downpours and handled the deluge with ease.

Heavy equipment operators are in demand in the mining, forestry and construction sectors. Two of the graduates have already been hired by a construction firm in Regina.

The Heavy Equipment Operator program at Parkland College is a six-week certificate consisting of one week of safety training and five weeks of theory and hands-on work. Graduates receive two certifications from the SIAST Heavy Equipment Operator program in such specialties as excavator, scraper, and crawler tractor.

Parkland College would like to thank the RM of Foam Lake for making this training opportunity possible. The College could not have delivered this program without the vision and open-mindedness of the RM council, reeve Chris Gislason, administrator Tina Douglas, and foreman Sheldon Scheschuk.

Parkland College congratulates the graduates and wishes them all the best in their new careers.

About Us:
Parkland College provides a wide array of educational programs and services to adult learners including Adult Basic Education, University, SIAST and Institute programs, Industry programs, Literacy, English as an Additional Language and Career and Student Services.

About the RM of Foam Lake No. 276:
The Rural Municipality of Foam Lake is located at the southeast of the Quill Lakes, bordering the south shore of Fishing Lake. The fertile soil of the area is ideal for growing grains and oilseeds and raising livestock. The Town of Foam Lake is located on Highway 16 near the center of the municipality. As the largest town in the area, it provides most of the services needed in the region.