Contributed BUILDING A CAREER — Logan Kinkus, a junior in the new heavy equipment operator and construction tech program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, is trying his hand at the Vortex Max simulator which teaches the virtual operation of large vehicles and earthmovers in the field. About 16 students are involved in the program and could help fill a growing need for workers.

BLOOMINGDALE — The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School is looking to fill another niche in the job field with its heavy equipment operator and construction technology program.

Led by new instructor Anthony Materna, about 16 juniors and seniors are learning what it takes to operate vehicles and equipment utilized in an ever-evolving field. Materna said plenty of jobs will be available to maintain older roads and bridges as well as provide newer infrastructure.

“We are going to learn the basics of heavy equipment operation and construction with safety training for OSHA 10 and SafeLand in the first year,” he explained. “In the second year, we’re going to learn more safety with OSHA 30 and they will be getting into specific tasks such as ditch digging and production that goes with heavy equipment operation and construction. They are going to learn how to operate equipment in a safe and productive manner.”

Students will have opportunities with simulated and actual vehicles, particularly with the acquisition of a Vortex Max Simulator, which provides a realistic view of handling earthmovers. Materna said the simulator features six different pieces of equipment with up to 15 tasks for each one. Additionally, students will train on actual forklift, mini excavator and skid steer loader that were obtained for the program and also learn about bulldozing and running a 1-ton dump truck using rented vehicles.

Materna has experience in the industry, operating equipment for the oil and gas industry and construction. He graduated from the apprenticeship program through the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 in Akron and began serving as a substitute teacher for adult education last year.

“I’ve always had a passion to teach and I’ve coached boxing for several years, so I think it’s helped me become accustomed to working with kids. I feel good about it and I feel like I can help youth and get them out there the right way. That’s my goal.”

He is a journeyman with the I.U.O.E. and can recommend students for potential careers. Materna noted that all of the training the students receive today will help create workers for tomorrow.

“America has an aging infrastructure. We built roads during a post-World War II era and the standards weren’t the same as they are now. We’re always going to build new infrastructure, but the old buildings need to come down and we need to meet those standards. With the population the way it is now, we will always need new housing,” he said. “This field is high-paying and very competitive, but it’s growing and there’s always a need for operators out there.”

Supervisor/Principal Andy Long said the program was a welcome addition and will fulfill a need in the workforce, while the modern equipment is a plus to making it happen.

“Students are eager to learn and Materna has done a nice job to start out the year. We are working with the operator engineer’s apprenticeship and training program and will work on an agreement that will allow us to work with them and students can earn hours while here at the JVS,” he commented. “It’s also nice to have a piece of equipment the students can learn on in a safe environment prior to going out into the field and it’s nice to be able to bridge the gap between the curriculum and hands-on learning.”

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