Recently, 19 eager students completed the summer intake of the Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Certificate program at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Operating out of the campus's industry-leading 12-acre Heavy Equipment Operating (HEO) Training Facility, students mastered machines like excavators, backhoes, skid steers and graders, preparing them for exciting careers in road building and maintenance, land reclamation, landscaping and more.
With safety at the heart of the HEO program, instructors emphasize rigorous daily protocols to ensure everyone returns home safely, building habits that last a lifetime. Each intake, instructors track these daily practices and at the end of the session, collectively choose a winner for the Gerry Kennard Memorial Safety Award.
Established in the profound memory of Gerry Kennard, who lost his life in a tragic workplace accident in March of 2022, this award is funded to turn tragedy into a powerful commitment to workplace safety. This award recognizes four students annually who not only diligently follow safety regulations, but actively champion them through leadership, vigilance and dedication.
Lead instructor Adam Fournier proudly presented student Macyn Anderson with a $5,000 scholarship for her outstanding commitment to safety throughout the 12-week program. Anderson consistently went above and beyond to ensure proper protocols were followed, encouraging her peers to adopt a safety-first mindset.no
Olds College is proud to keep Kennard’s legacy alive, with a plaque being developed in his honour permanently displayed at the HEO facility building, inspiring future classes to keep safety top of mind.