“I found out I have a passion for construction.”
Cole Meeches is well on his way to a career in the construction industry. That being said, that wasn’t always the case. For a handful of years Cole wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for work. In an attempt to figure out his future, he enrolled at a temp agency where he was able to test out a multitude of careers to find something suitable. Eventually, after working various construction jobs from being a carpenter’s assistant to building houses as a labourer, he realized he was interested in pursuing construction further – more specifically heavy equipment operation. It was through his search that Cole was able to eventually enroll in OETIM Inc.’s Heavy Equipment Operator program.
Despite working on various construction sites in his lifetime and surrounded by heavy equipment, he had never operated before coming to the OETIM Inc. Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) course. The main reason why he didn’t operate was his lack of experience on the equipment. He remarks that he “never knew how to start the machines. They were intimidating. I thought it would be really hard, but it’s actually easier than I expected”.
When asked about his experience during the 6-week training program, Cole’s responses were overwhelmingly positive. He enjoyed all aspects of the training from the online safety courses and simulator lab lessons, to sitting in the seats of the heavy equipment and the instructor’s teachings. Though he didn’t know exactly what to expect when he applied, he was happy with what he has learned. From the pre-operational inspections to learning how to properly start the machines, Cole gained the necessary insights to be a heavy equipment operator.
Now, after graduating from the HEO course, Cole is confident in his ability to operate many pieces of equipment, his favourites being the excavator, the loader, and the dozer. His ultimate career goal is to eventually get a job running an excavator on a construction site. After taking the course, this is now possible. Cole now possesses the knowledge to not only operate the machines, but to properly inspect them. He can monitor the fluids, point out defects on the machines, identify environmental hazards, and because of all these elements, he graduates as a knowledgeable and safe entry-level operator. The staff at OETIM Inc. can’t wait to see Cole grow in his career and wish him luck in the future!
Author: Bailey Jablonski Armstrong
