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Prince George, B.C. – Heavy Metal Rocks makes its annual return the end of this month.

The program, run jointly by the Prince George Construction Association (PGCA) and School District 57, provides work experience and an introduction to heavy equipment and the construction industry in general to 32 grade 11 and 12 students.

“There’s a lot of avenues young people can look at to be involved with an exciting industry that builds our communities, our province and our country,” says PGCA president Rosalind Thorn.

“This introduces them them to various career paths, from skilled trades of which there’s in excess of 20 (ie carpentry, electricians, plumbing), and then the various support careers which includes surveying, estimators, engineers etcetera.”

She notes students are given safety training and work their way through 16 stations where they are paired with operators and gain experience operating a wide variety of heavy equipment.

Thorn says the program has been a great success ever since being introduced 11 years ago.

“It’s a great way to introduce people to the industry, rather than standing in front of a class and telling them about it,” she says. “We’ve had a number of heavy metal rocks students come back and say you know I didn’t go in for heavy equipment operator, but I’ve got an apprenticeship now for electrical or carpentry or plumbing. They’re following a path, and it’s great!”