KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
It's the next best thing to the real thing.

Nunavut Arctic College Kivalliq campus dean Susan Enuaraq is ready for some serious digging on a mini-excavator at the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre in Rankin earlier this month. - photo courtesy Jamie Bell

That's how those studying to become a heavy-equipment operator at the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre in Rankin Inlet just may feel later this year.

The trades school now boasts being able to offer students simulator training as they begin to prepare for a career operating heavy machinery.

Sanatuliqsarvik director of trades Sandy Napier said students in the program will take theory, safety and simulator training prior to going onto actual equipment.

He said the advantage in having the simulator is that it's very forgiving when a student makes a mistake.

"An actual piece of equipment is, really, non-forgiving," said Sandy.

"So it's a little rough on the equipment when a student only takes safety and theory before jumping onto something he's not familiar with, and trying to master the controls and operating levers.

"The simulator gives them the opportunity to practise, understand the controls and operation of the equipment, and become familiar with them.

"Once they master the operation on a simulator, they can go onto the actual machine and there's far less wear and tear on the equipment."

There are numerous simulators on the training market for different pieces of equipment.

Sanatuliqsarvik's large 5DT simulator mirrors what's being used by Agnico Eagle Mines at its Meadowbank gold project.

The simulator features different modules that, depending on the needs of the program, can easily be switched in and out.

An instructor could use a module for the same Cat 777 haul truck being used at Meadowbank, or that of a loader, or a Tandem axle dump truck.

Sandy said in addition to the 5DT, Sanatuliqsarvik has two mini-excavators.

He said the school is also looking at acquiring smaller, more portable simulators for bulldozer and excavator training.

"The mini-excavators have the same joy sticks or controls you would find on an actual excavator in the field.

"Students have to be able to master the operation of the mini-excavator.

"It takes a little time for some students, and less for others, but, once they've mastered it, they're prepared to go on an actual excavator and feel comfortable using the same controls, just on a larger piece of equipment.

"It makes for a much better prepared operator, which means a lot less damage is being done to the actual equipment."

Sanatuliqsarvik is still finalizing the details for its program on heavy equipment.

The curriculum is in place, and, once a few remaining details and the cost of tuition are hammered out, the program should be rolled out in the very near future.

Sandy said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is in place between Sanatuliqsarvik and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario campus in Morrisburg, Ont., for students to begin their training in Rankin and complete it in Morrisburg, if they have a sponsor to help with the costs.

He said another option the school is looking at is community-based training.

"In that example the actual equipment would be provided by the community.

"Outside (of Rankin) students may not get the simulator training, but we'd still be able to provide the rest.

"Or, outside students may be able to come to Rankin for a portion of their training and the rest would take place back in their home community.

"We're looking at every option available to us."

Sandy said the Government of Nunavut has committed to a study on the next phase of the training centre, which he hopes will lead to a building design in 2015 and construction to begin in 2017.

He said the second phase will include space for heavy duty equipment technician, automotive mechanic and heavy equipment operator training.

"At that time, we should have our own actual equipment here at the college in Rankin.

"We pushed the training ahead of that target date because there's such a large need for it right now.

"We don't have the hard equipment here, so, right now, we're looking at MOUs with some organizations that would be able to provide the equipment in the community.

"We have two instructors and we're hoping to have our first intake of, probably, about 10 to 12 students during the next few months."