The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) and Finning Canada unveiled the TNDC Mobile Training Center on Wednesday at the AME Roundup conference in Vancouver. The facility has simulators set up to offer thorough training for heavy equipment operators (HEOs).
The Indigenous-owned development company TNDC announced that it opened the center to give people the tools they need to succeed. Four simulations, including articulated trucks, dozers, loaders, and excavators, are housed in the 44-foot Mobile Training Center trailer.
Each simulator has its own operator training program, and an additional program is now being developed. With the help of the simulators, students can hone their equipment-operating skills in a secure virtual setting. The Tahltan Nation’s ancestral region is home to the Red Chris mine, but the center is adaptable enough to move to other locations as needed.
Supporting the Tahltan HEO program and the TNDC Employee HEO training program is its main goal. According to Colleen Cashin, VP of people and corporate culture at TNDC, “the vision for the TNDC Mobile Training Center will be to build capacity for Tahltans, our employees and to improve career growth opportunities.”
“We are able to support the continued growth of our development corporation and the growth of our people through partnerships with partners like Finning.” Every year, 80–120 employees receive training from the TNDC Mobile Training Center, which also offers new operator training and chances for upskilling.
In addition to helping with the onboarding of new hires, it also improves productivity and employee retention while lowering the cost of hiring and onboarding. According to Cheryl Gray, senior vice president of mining at Finning Canada, “simulator training offers learners a safe, hands-on experience using the same controls and machine applications found in real-world worksites.”
The statement was released on Wednesday. “We are thrilled to assist the Tahltans in acquiring the knowledge and abilities required to operate heavy machinery with certification.”
The Finning team is also assisting with the Tahltan instructors’ training as well as the installation and troubleshooting of the equipment. After the trailer is in service, TNDC will be in charge of managing all training initiatives as well as operating and maintaining the vehicle.