Project Heavy Duty

What is Project Heavy Duty?

Project Heavy Duty is a program offered by School District No.60 where approximately sixteen senior high school students have the opportunity to learn about and operate many kinds of heavy equipment. Under the close supervision of qualified operators, students receive hands-on training with heavy equipment such as crawler/dozers, excavators, graders, rock trucks and a variety of logging equipment on a job site.

Who is supplying all the equipment and services needed for Project Heavy Duty?

Numerous local contractors, businesses and other agencies generously supply equipment and operators, facilities, fuel, first aid, security, communications equipment and other services required for the project. A list of project sponsors is provided on this website.

When and where will Project Heavy Duty take place?

The project is scheduled for five full working days in late May of each year. Students selected for the project do not attend regular classes during that time. Project Heavy Duty takes place close to Fort St. John and the exact location varies, depending on the development that is required.

What safety precautions are being taken?

Safety is of utmost concern to all those involved in organizing Project Heavy Duty. Students will receive training in site safety from WorkSafe officers and other safety personnel at the beginning of the week. All WorkSafe guidelines for standard work sites are followed and students receive one on one safety instruction from qualified operators before operating each piece of equipment. Qualified operators remain on the equipment with student operators; site supervisors are assigned to each area of the project.

What are the benefits to students participating in Project Heavy Duty?

Students who take part in this project benefit in many ways:

Hands-on experience with heavy equipment adds to skills for possible future employment
Exposure to different career choices
Opportunity to meet local business people and potential employers
Experience on real-life job site
Learn valuable skills relating to safety at the workplace
Learn various job application skills, i.e. writing applications resumes, interviews

How are students selected for the program?

Students submit an application form and resume’ at their high school and are interviewed for selection into the project. Students from North Peace Secondary, Hudson’s Hope, Prespatou and Distance Education are eligible.

Factors to be considered in selecting students for the project include:
Career goals
Positive work attitude
Strong interest in the project
Regular school attendance
Maintaining the educational program

Where can I find more information on Project Heavy Duty?

Jeff Mayer, Educational Liaison – (250) 785-4429 ext 323. jmayer@prn.bc.ca

Business & Heavy Construction Industry

Project Heavy Duty is a program of School District No. 60, in collaboration with the North Peace business community, designed to prepare high school students for employment in the heavy construction industry. Many students choose not to attend college or university after graduation and the school district seeks to provide greater opportunities for these students to develop a variety of skills needed in the workforce. The school district needs the cooperation and support of local contractors and business leaders to offer a practical, hands-on program that provides senior secondary students with valuable skills and experience in maintaining and operating heavy equipment.

Sixteen senior high school students take part in Project Heavy Duty, scheduled in late May of each year. Project Heavy Duty participants are excused from classes during the week and receive instruction in servicing and operating each piece of equipment on the job site by qualified operators. These students are selected from district high schools (including North Peace Secondary, Hudson’s Hope, Prespatou and Distance Education) and have expressed interest in operating heavy equipment as a career.

Project Heavy Duty is a major community event that requires the involvement of many businesses, agencies and contractors in the North Peace area. The school district appreciates the continued support of local businesses and heavy construction contractors in contributing in the following areas:

Approximately 16 Pieces Of Heavy Equipment, Including Excavators, Backhoes, Crawler/dDozers, Graders, Rock Trucks, And A Variety Of Logging Equipment.
Skilled Operators To Train Young People On The Equipment
Fuel And Lubricant Supplies
Safety Equipment
Camp Facilities Operations Center, Latrines, Etc.
First Aid
Security
Communications

Project Heavy Duty is an excellent opportunity for the business and heavy construction community in the Fort St. John area to work together with the school district in helping young people develop employable skills related to the heavy construction industry. Local contractors benefit from participating in the project by helping train and identify potential employees for the future. Media coverage of the event highlights the contributions made by sponsors of the project.

School District No.60 recognizes the need for involving local business and industry leaders to ensure the continued success of Project Heavy Duty. The shared expertise of individuals and companies familiar with the heavy construction industry is essential to provide a quality program that will help students develop valuable skills for future employment in the heavy equipment workplace.

Project Heavy Duty Contributors

School District No. 60 acknowledges the generous support of the following businesses:

2019

Aitken Creek Gas Storage
Alaska Highway News
Bill Howells Trucking Ltd.
Brandt Tractor Ltd.
Cascade Energy Services
ConocoPhillips
Finning Canada
Fort St. John Co-op Petroleum Department
Great West Equipment
Hotsaw Logging
JBL Industries
Lawrence Meat Packers
M & M Resources Inc.
Macro Industries Inc.
North Peace Savings and Credit Union
Northern Peace Petroleum Products
Peace River Hydro Partners
Rezilliant Towing and Transport
Sieg Services Ltd.
Smith Fuel Services Ltd.
Steel Toes
Surerus Pipeline Inc.
W. Turner Gas & Oil Service Ltd.
Westar Oilfield Rentals Inc.
Wolf Creek Ventures
Worksafe BC

2018

Aitken Creek Gas Storage
Alaska Highway News
Bill Howells Trucking Ltd.
Brandt Tractor Ltd.
Cascade Energy Services
The Cat Rental Store
ConocoPhillips
D&T Disposal
Fedderly Transportation Ltd.
Finning Canada
Fort St. John Co-op Petroleum Department
Fort St. John Water Inc.
G. Baumeister Ltd.
Great Northern Bridgeworks
Great West Equipment
Grizzly Equipment
Inland Kenworth/Parker Pacific
J. Bueckert Logging
Lawrence Meat Packers
Macro Industries Inc.
North Peace Savings and Credit Union
Northern Peace Petroleum Products
Peace Country Rentals
Petron Communications Ltd.
Rezilliant Towing and Transport
Sieg Services Ltd.
Smith Fuel Services Ltd.
Steel Toes
Strad Oilfield Rentals
Surerus Pipeline Inc.
Swampdonkey Oilfield Services Inc.
V.E.Brandl Ltd.
Westar Oilfield Rentals Inc.
Woodland Equipment Ltd.
Worksafe BC

Project Heavy Duty In Action

There are four stations set up on the main Project Heavy Duty location, each reflecting a different aspect of the heavy construction industry in the North Peace region. These stations include the construction of a road, a pipeline division, a dirt-moving component and an active logging operation.

Three to five pieces of heavy equipment are designated at each station. Sixteen high school students are organized into four groups. Student groups spend a full day at each specific site, taking turns on various pieces of equipment on that station, as directed by the site foreman. The students receive individualized instruction relating to the maintenance and operation of each machine by experienced operators in the industry.

The job site is set up with a camp trailer, latrines and first aid services. The day starts at 7:00am and concludes at 5:00pm. Safety procedures on the site are clearly outlined to students at “tailgate meetings” at the beginning of each day.

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