Jessica Conn, a student in VIU's Heavy Equipment Operator program, puts the skills she's learned in class to work operating a loader at the Wastelands Motocross Track.
May 4, 2016 - 1:15pm
VIU students get real-world experience at Wastelands Motocross Track
Thanks to the efforts of VIU faculty – students in the Heavy Equipment Operator program are putting their classroom skills to the test in real-world situations, and supporting community organizations while they are at it. By engaging with non-profits, community organizations and schools that require heavy equipment work but don’t have the budget to do it themselves, VIU Heavy Mechanical Trades Chair Joe Skipsey has found opportunities for students to get that real-world experience.
The latest partnership is with the Nanaimo Motocross Association (NMA). The non-profit club manages the Wastelands Motocross Track on the outskirts of town. Before the race season started, the club identified some track, drainage, road and site repairs that needed to be done. The member supported organization didn't have the funds to do it, but after contacting Skipsey, an agreement was reached and VIU soon had four excavators, one articulated rock truck, one grader and six student operators working away.
“We’re always looking for opportunities that fit within our curriculum because it allows our students to take the theory they learn in the classroom and basic training into the real world,” said Skipsey. “It gives them a sense of purpose and shows how their training can benefit the greater community.”
Over the course of the NMA Wastelands project each of the class’s 17 students will work on site for a week. VIU student Marc Schaufelbuhl was on site testing his skill on the excavator to grade a road and smooth out some rough patches caused by heavy rains.
“We’re running into some unique problems so it’s challenging – but it’s how we learn,” said Schaufelbuhl. “The grades of the road, obstacles like the fact that motorbikes are still operating on the track, and buried waterlines are all things we have to be aware of.”
VIU student Jessica Conn operated a huge loader, putting the skills she learned in class to work. When asked why she wanted to be a heavy equipment operator, the former waitress said she spent the last two years working at a logging camp and re-evaluated her life after her dad, who had a long career in forestry as a log loader and excavator operator, passed away last year.
“When I was growing up he would come home and tell me stories about his job in the logging camp. I guess I just wanted to honour him and the time we had together,” said Conn.
As for working on a track that has jumps and motor bikes racing around, she laughs.
“I love it. It’s great to experience work in the field – you just have to be really aware of your surroundings,” said Conn. “When I was younger I rode motocross so it’s a good feeling to be involved in remaking a track like this.”
NMA President Stu Hopewell said it’s been wonderful seeing the students honing their skills while making a significant contribution to the non-profit organization.
"They’ve been working on beautifying the site, clearing out broom, clearing trees and fixing culverts. We’ve already had numerous comments from the racers and their families about how they couldn’t believe how much the condition of the track has improved and overall how great the site looks since they started the project," said Hopewell.
To learn more about the Heavy Equipment Operators Program and other trades programs offered at VIU, go to: www.viu.ca/tat.
To find out more about the NMA go to: www.nanaimomx.com.
Media Contact:
Dane Gibson, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 | E: Communications@viu.ca T: #viunews
Tags: In the Community
