GRINAKER-LTA ENDORESES OPERATORACADEMY, LAUNCHES TRAINING INITIATIVE

Acknowledging its expertise in this area, Grinaker-LTA Earthworks Engineering recently chose the Barloworld Equipment Operator Academy as one of its core training partners as it embarks on a ground-breaking initiative that could well be an industry first.

This follows Grinaker-LTA Earthworks Engineering’s decision to place eleven of its learners on a full-time earthmoving equipment learnership programme. Spanning a period of a year, on completion successful candidates will receive the National Certificate in Construction Plant Operations. (The minimum education level for entry is Grade 10 with English and mathematics.)

The full programme is split into three components and the Barloworld Equipment Operator Academy has been appointed to train the Elective Module, which runs over four weeks.

The elective component covers the following areas: safety; pre-operational checks, starting, stopping and shutdown procedures; warning systems; machine controls; operating techniques; and practical exposure to machine operations.

Students will train on three Cat models, namely a grader, excavator, and articulated truck, with all units supplied via the Barloworld Equipment Cat Rental Store.

“These Grinaker-LTA students will gain an invaluable grounding as they embark on their new career as some of South Africa’s first professional operators,” says Willie Haasbroek, head of Barloworld Equipment’s Operator Academy. All Barloworld Equipment operator trainers have a minimum of five years experience (operational or technical).

Adds Haasbroek: “As a further plus, a number of these trainers are also qualified Caterpillar Dealer Instructors (or CDI’s). It’s a significant achievement since this is the highest ranking for Cat equipment trainers worldwide.”