Finning Invests In Future Mechanics
October 17, 2011
It’s the single largest post-secondary education donation in Finning Canada’s history, and it’s a move that will help address the shortfall of heavy equipment technicians in the region.
Finning Canada and Caterpillar, along with Fort McMurray’s Keyano College, announced a new FINNTech Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma Program. Finning and Caterpillar will contribute cash and course materials, tooling and equipment, valued at more than $3.5 million in the first two years.
“We are a proud member of the Fort McMurray community and excited to continue our support of Keyano College. With Caterpillar, we are addressing the long-term need for skilled labour in our region. This is truly a win-win program for Finning Canada and Keyano College,” said Finning Canada president Dave Parker.
The FINNTech program is a 20-month diploma program that will see 40 students a year engaged in a rotation of two months of in-class learning followed by two months of job-site training. The first cohort of 20 students is expected to begin classes in early 2012.
‘What is unique about this program is the level of commitment of the sponsors - Finning Canada and Caterpillar”, said Glen van’t Wout, dean of Trades & Heavy Industrial programs at Keyano College.
“When you add up the value of their contribution which includes outfitting training spaces and providing tools and scholarships to students along with providing training aids and technologies and a unique equipment rotation program that makes new CAT equipment part of the training – the value far exceeds the announcement of $3.5 million.”
The funding announcement was made on October 13 at the 2011 Oilsands Banquet.
In the photo: Chair of the Keyano College Foundation Dave Unruh, president of Keyano College Kevin Nagel, group president Resource Industry Canada Steve Wunning, VP of external relations Keyano College Cindy Amerongen, and David Parker president of Finning Canada.