At the AME Roundup conference in Vancouver on Wednesday, the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) and Finning Canada launched the TNDC Mobile Training Centre.
The facility is equipped with simulators designed to provide comprehensive heavy equipment operator (HEO) training. TNDC, an Indigenous-owned development corporation, said it unveiled the centre to empower individuals with the skills needed for success.
The Mobile Training Centre is 44-foot trailer housing four simulators, each with its own operator training program, including articulated trucks, dozers and loaders, excavators, with another program in the development phase.
The simulators provide learners a safe, virtual environment to develop their skills in operating Cat equipment.
Based at the Red Chris mine within the Tahltan Nation’s traditional territory, the centre has the flexibility to relocate to other sites as needed. Its primary objective is to support both the Tahltan HEO program and the TNDC Employee HEO training program.
“The vision for the TNDC Mobile Training Centre will be to build capacity for Tahltans, our employees and to improve career growth opportunities,” said Colleen Cashin, VP of people and corporate culture, TNDC. “It is through partnerships with partners like Finning that we are able to facilitate growth of our people and ongoing growth of our development corporation.”
The TNDC Mobile Training Centre facilitates the training of 80-120 staff members each year, equipping them with upskilling opportunities and providing training for new operators. It also supports the onboarding of new employees but also enhances employee retention and productivity, while concurrently reducing recruitment and onboarding expenses.
“Simulator training provides a safe, hands-on experience for learners using the same controls and machine applications found in real-world worksites,” Cheryl Gray, senior vice president of mining at Finning Canada, said in Wednesday’s news release. “We are excited to support the Tahltans in developing the skills they need to become certified heavy equipment operators.”
The Finning team is also supporting the installation and troubleshooting of the equipment and the training of Tahltan instructors. Once in operation, TNDC will be responsible for operating and maintaining the trailer and running all the training programs.