“Now here I am. I kept pushing forward and didn’t let go of the dream.”
When sitting down with Caleb on graduation day, I could tell he was excited. This excitement was twofold. For one, he was excited that he had just completed the 6-week heavy equipment operator program (with perfect attendance and a new nickname: Kevin Beets). That said, his excitement also stemmed from his prospective job opportunities as a heavy equipment operator.
Growing up Caleb had always been interested in heavy equipment. He recalls being the typical little kid who enjoyed playing in the dirt with his toy trucks. When he wasn’t playing, he would sit on the balcony of his childhood apartment to watch the trucks and tractors driving back and forth. He would do this for hours and hours as the apartment was located next to a landscaping yard and was always bustling with activity. Caleb recalls that as a little boy he would think to himself: “One day I’m going to drive those”. That is exactly the goal he has been pursuing since graduating high school, and how he eventually wound up taking OETIM’s HEO (Heavy Equipment Operator) course.
The HEO course wasn’t his first foray with heavy equipment operation. After a quick Google search, Caleb discovered OETIM (Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba), and the array of training and safety courses offered throughout the year. In September 2019 Caleb registered for OETIM’s Skid Steer course. It was through taking this course that Caleb cemented his interest in operating. Even though it was a while ago, he recalls it being the perfect introductory course and remarks that he found employment easily after getting his certificate. That was just the beginning!
Caleb reflects that he was more than ready to start training on March 20th, 2023 for the 6-week HEO program. He excelled in all aspects of the course: from the curriculum tests and quizzes, to learning how to drive each piece of equipment. When asked what his favourite pieces to operate were, he said he enjoyed the TLB and that he was pleasantly surprised about operating the dozer. Going forward, he is unsure what piece he wants to operate, but feels confident in his abilities regardless of the machine. He greatly appreciates the knowledge and skills he learned while attending the course. Having all his safety certificates will give him an edge over other candidates vying for the same jobs. Also having a certificate from a reputable institute will benefit his career path immensely. Moreover, the non-tangible elements like his experiences with his classmates, and the relationships with his instructors will never be forgotten.
