Demand for heavy equipment operators in Canada is strong due to investment in infrastructure projects, mining activity and a strong housing market.
According to national projections, from 2022 to 2031, Canada is expected to have approximately 31,200 job openings for heavy equipment operators.
“You drive around the Ring Road here in Calgary and there are new subdivisions going up on the outskirts of Calgary everywhere,” says Richard Andrews, vice president of Spatial Technologies, a Leica technology dealer serving Western Canada. “Some customers are always looking for operators,” says Cletus Young, manager Machine Control and Construction Positioning.
Preparing the Next Generation of Heavy Equipment Operators
As a supporter of Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) heavy equipment operator training program, Spatial Technologies is committed to preparing the next generation of operators for the industry.
With the help of Spatial Technologies and Leica Geosystems, students have an opportunity to learn on heavy construction equipment outfitted with Leica machine control solutions. By donating machine control systems as well as training, significant barriers to learning are removed.
VIU’s Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program includes the Road Builder & Heavy Construction Foundation (4 weeks), the Heavy Equipment Operator Technician (5 weeks), and Machine Operator Training (1-8 weeks, machine dependent) for a total of 10 to 17 weeks of instruction. Students are granted a Foundation and Technician Certificate as well as a machine(s) specialty certificate(s).
In addition, VIU helps high school students explore a variety of careers through its annual Trades & Tech Showcase and other events. Students are given an opportunity to try their hand at operating a mini excavator, or ride in the seat of a heavy equipment cab.
“Even with a short time in the seat, giving students the opportunity to experience heavy equipment firsthand can be incredibly impactful,” said VIU Heavy Equipment Operator instructor Kevin Levins in a press release. “It helps spark their interest, builds a sense of confidence and provides a clearer roadmap for what a future in the industry could look like. That initial exposure can be the spark that motivates them to pursue further training and see themselves in a skilled trade career.”
Leica Technology Makes Operating Easier
The ease-of-use of Leica machine control technology is something the Spatial Technologies team has seen firsthand when training VIU students.
“It doesn’t take students long once they get the files in the system, and work on a 3D project,” Young says.
“I would imagine a new operator working on a machine without machine control would be a little daunted to see a stake in the ground that tells you how much you have to cut or fill,” Young says. “With machine control, as soon as you see that screen, you know you’ve got to go to zero. It’s easy.”
According to Young, students are typically wowed by machine control technology. They have an opportunity to see how technology intersects with real world construction activity.
Ryan Baumbach, technical services specialist for machine control at Spatial Technologies, believes that for the most part, Gen Z, who has grown up with electronic devices and video games, adapts quickly to machine control.
Young believes having the latest technology can be a positive for contractors when recruiting young talent.
“If a student gets used to having machine control, I don’t think they’re going to want to go work for somebody that doesn’t have it,” Young says. “Once they start with it, they’re going to want to stay with it.”
To make the most out of trainings, Spatial Technologies conducts them on an actual jobsite, where students can immediately put into practice what they learn.
“I’ll walk through it with them,” Baumbach says. “I’ll be controlling the screen or doing something and showing them where to go, and then we will start over from scratch, and I let them do it with my guidance. And then after that, typically, they’re pretty comfortable with it.”
As for what sets Leica machine control apart from the competition, Baumbach believes it’s the intuitive navigation.
“It’s about where everything’s located and how things are labeled,” Baumbach says. “It makes sense. You click on the picture of your bucket, and you can change your bucket. Click on the picture your blade, and you can adjust your blades. There’s not a lot of things hidden within menus.”
Baumbach says this is a clear advantage over other systems he’s used.
“I’m going to be a little bit biased, but I’ve used some of the other brands of systems before,” he says. “Leica is by far the most intuitive system to use. It makes it easy for the people who aren’t as tech savvy as others, to utilize the system to its fullest abilities.”
Engage Operators with Easy-to-Use Technology
Spatial Technologies advises contractors to compare systems based on usability as well as the accessibility of training from the dealer.
Leica Geosystems not only has the ability to satisfy the needs of up-and-coming operators, but also those who are reluctant to use machine control.
The machine control technology that delivers the best results is always the one that everyone can easily use.
