“It was a pleasure being here.”
Sitting at his desk sporting jeans, a zippered winter jacket and winter boots, Anatolie is ready for the coming winter months. His outfit choice suggests that he is no stranger to inclement weather. Having said that, Anatolie hasn’t always lived in Manitoba. Born in Moldova, a small landlocked country in Eastern Europe, he did not grow up in the typical Manitoban -40 °C weather. Moldova’s climate is significantly milder, with winter temperatures reaching only the mid to low teens on the coldest days.
While attending medical college in Moldova, Anatolie met his wife and together they made the decision to leave the corrupt country and move to Canada. In December 2007 he and his wife immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. When they first arrived, they had very little English language skills and integrated into society by working. Anatolie’s wife worked at the quintessential Canadian establishment Tim Horton’s, while he worked as a mechanic. His work ethic and skills enabled him to make his way up the ladder in a Polish company that wired engines and back-up cameras. Through working at this job, he realized his interest in working with his hands.
After 7 years of calling Manitoba home, Anatolie’s wife left Canada in 2014, returning to Moldova to get the mandated experience necessary to work in Canada as a doctor. While she was there, Anatolie started a new job and eventually became a foreman. This company produced siding and insulation for large buildings like banks or dealerships. This job was very physically demanding, something Anatolie knew would not be sustainable in the future so he continued to keep his job options open.
Following the year of work in Moldova, Anatolie’s wife returned home and accepted a job as a resident in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Anatolie and his family then moved 8 hours northwest to the small mining town. While there, Anatolie drew from his previous experience in the medical field to work at the hospital. This only lasted a short time as he did not enjoy the work and decided to leave the position.
Flin Flon receives a significant amount of snow every year and it was the consistent snowfall that got Anatolie thinking…there were many jobs clearing snow. He frequently saw the heavy equipment operators working on loaders for snow clearing. He enjoyed watching the loader operators clear the highways, roads, and parking lots of snow and ice. He quickly realized the job itself used many different facets: problem solving, critical thinking, driving, physical strength, stamina, etc. Anatolie realized this job was perfect for him.
This is when Anatolie began to look for Heavy Equipment Training in Manitoba and he came across the OETIM website. After getting accepted into the program, he secured his spot for the October 2021 course. After an intense, 7-week period he is a recent graduate.
Having just completed the course he is able to reflect on the experience. His favourite part of the course was the in-person operation of the machines. There isn’t anything like stepping into the seat and driving the equipment in the field. That being said, to be a successful Heavy Equipment Operator there is far more than just the hands-on experience. As Anatolie said: “You have to study, be secure and alert at all times. Use your PPE”. Anatolie has learned that construction is very holistic in nature. It is far more than just the operation of the heavy equipment.
Another integral aspect of the training is the OETIM atmosphere. For Anatolie, the facilities were agreeable to learn and work in. He said the heated trailers and vigorously maintained port-a-potties were pleasant. His fellow classmates were easy to get along with and the instructors were of the highest quality. “These two guys are very good instructors. They know when to say funny stories and when to be serious. They’re a good balance and very professional.” It is this balance that allows for the students to go to class every day and eventually succeed in attaining all their safety credits and entry level operator certificate.
Having just finished his course at OETIM, Anatolie is ready to take on all the challenges winter construction and the Manitoba weather throws his way!
Author: Bailey Jablonski Armstrong
