Ten Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) students were among the group of close to 30 School District #27 students taking part in an annual program designed to give them experience operating heavy machinery.
Heavy Metal Rocks, which went May 6-9 in Williams Lake, was a joint effort by SD27, WorkSafeBC, and local industry, teaming up to give Grade 11-12 students interested in a career in the construction industry a lesson in “heavy metal.”
The program saw students operating a number of different machines at the Centennial gravel pit on Bond Lake Road.
Partnering with industry is key to the program’s success, says David Corbett, career program co-ordinator with SD27.
“It’s going great. They have professional trainers working with [the students]. It’s one-on-one. It’s an amazing opportunity for these young people to get trained.”
Corbett estimates about 40 to 50 businesses are involved.
There are also a lot of students involved from 100 Mile House.
“I think this is the most kids we’ve had from our school in any one year,” says Brad Summers, careers advisor at PSO in 100 Mile House. “It’s a big group this year.”
In addition to the hands-on experience students receive with the program, he adds they also earn some valuable certificates – first aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), and construction safety.
“It’s a good opportunity for them to develop some leadership skills and some teamwork skills. They all have to work together and help each other out.”
