Great Plains College will be offering the Western Trades Training Institute (WTTI) Boom Truck and Crane and Hoist Operator Pre-Employment program at the Warman Campus for the first time, starting this fall. This program is set up for students to attend part-time (you can attend separate modules) or full time. There are two exit points in the full time program to accommodate student need.

“The flexibility in the program accommodates students wanting to attend part-time or full time,” said Brigitte Wiebe, Program Coordinator. “The full time program has two separate exit points with the 12 week program providing an essential skills component.  Essential skills are valuable for workers entering or re-entering the work force.  The part time modules provide an opportunity for companies to have their current workers trained in specific areas in short one to three day courses.”

The first full-time option is a 10 week program, consisting of 8 weeks of theory and 2 weeks of practical, hands-on training. Classes will run from Monday through Friday starting August 9, 2010 and ending October 15, 2010.

The second full-time option is a 12 week program, consisting of 10 weeks of theory and 2 weeks of practical, hands-on training. Classes will run from Monday through Friday starting August 9, 2010 and ending October 29, 2010. During the 2 week hands on practical participants will be placed with employers so they get a chance at getting to know the industry, which is usually beneficial to a job search following the program.

There are also modules which may be taken individually such as Occupational Health and Safety Regulations; Pre-Operational Inspectional of Mobile Cranes and Boom Trucks; Rigging and Hoisting; and Load Charts.

“Pre-employment training in the Crane & Hoist Operator trade has not been previously available in Saskatchewan. Anyone who wanted to take this training would have had to try to get into NAIT in Edmonton, or go as far as Oakville, Ontario or even out to the eastern provinces to get in,” said Dara McMunn, Executive Director with Western Trades Training Institute. “The tuition costs for those programs would be upwards of $10,000, and of course the travel and living expenses would add dramatically to that cost.”

This program prepares individuals for employment as operating in heavy construction, oil, gas and mining sectors and in other industries where crane and hoisting operations are required. Boom Truck Operators and Crane and Hoist Operators operate many types of hoisting equipment to move place and position items. Pre-employment training is designed for those who have no experience operating cranes or boom trucks, but would like to enroll in the training to help them become more employable in this trade or a related trade. Trade time and academic credit may be granted to those who find employment in the trade and register as an apprentice with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC).

For more information on the Boom Truck, Crane & Hoist Operator Pre-Employment program in Warman contact Brigitte Wiebe at 242.5377 or visit our website at www.greatplainscollege.ca