Great Plains College announces new Heavy Equipment Operator program in Kindersley
KINDERSLEY, SK – Great Plains College is pleased to announce the addition of a new Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program at its Kindersley Campus. This six‑week program begins June 1, and applications are now open.
“We’re pleased to bring Heavy Equipment Operator training back to Kindersley as part of our ongoing commitment to meeting regional workforce needs,” said Keleah Ostrander, vice president, programs and students at Great Plains College. “This program provides students with in‑demand certifications and practical skills that are essential across many industries.”
In this program, students will earn Power Mobile Equipment (PME) certification on three pieces of heavy equipment through a combination of classroom instruction, simulator training and hands‑on experience on an active job site. The hands-on component includes mandatory certification on the rock truck, and two additional pieces of equipment selected from the following options: grader, dozer, front‑end loader or excavator. While we do our best to match students with their preferred equipment, specific assignments depend on availability.
For the upcoming June intake, the hands‑on training will take place through a partnership project with the Town of Kindersley, where students will gain experience completing land levelling and earthmoving work in support of a future residential development and upgrades to current outdoor recreation sites. This project allows learners to apply their skills in a practical setting while gaining valuable job‑ready experience on industry‑relevant equipment.
In addition to equipment training, students will complete a series of industry‑recognized safety certifications, including Safety Construction Orientation Training (SCOT), Ground Disturbance (Global), Fall Protection, Fire Extinguishing and First Aid/CPR/AED. Together, this blend of classroom learning, simulator use, on‑the‑job training and safety certification prepares graduates for employment across multiple sectors, including construction, energy and agriculture.
“We are grateful to the Town of Kindersley for partnering with us to deliver the practical training component of this program,” added Ostrander. “This collaboration not only enhances student learning but also contributes to a project that will benefit the community for years to come. We’re looking forward to supporting both skill development and community growth through this partnership.”
To learn more or apply for the Heavy Equipment Operator program, please visit greatplainscollege.ca/heo, or contact Gloria Vielhauer, student adviser, at 306-463-1353 or @email
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For more information contact:
Amy Masse, manager of marketing & communications
Phone: (306) 737-6107
Email