4C Academy students in Albany complete heavy equipment training

ALBANY — Seven high school seniors preparing for career opportunities at the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C Academy) recently completed their Field Capstone Project for Excavator at Oxford Construction Co.

The students started the program in the classroom at 4C, where they trained on state-of-the-art heavy equipment simulators to prepare them for the Field Capstone Project, which included several skills tests administered by the professionals at Oxford, the program partner.

“It was a great experience being a part of the capstone project with the 4C Academy,” Steve Burton, the company’s safety director, said. “As a company, we are excited that the students are showing interest in heavy equipment operations. The students did an excellent job performing real-life tasks as equipment operators during the capstone visit.

“4C has done an outstanding job with the students, and we are very excited to be a part of the program. Throughout the process, each student has shown a great attitude and a willingness to learn.”

The Heavy Equipment Operator program is relatively new in Georgia and was made possible through partnerships forged by the Georgia Highway Contractors Association. Funding for the program and simulators were obtained through the legislature, and GHCA provides annual training for instructors.

GHCA members across the state participate as program partners to provide schools such as 4C with vision tours to job sites and provide the equipment and personnel required for students to complete their capstone projects. Local education partners include the 4C Academy, the Dougherty County School System and Albany Technical College.

“The Heavy Equipment Operator Program provides a space for students to make lasting connections with industry partners in a way that I have never seen,” GHCA President David Moellering said. “Not only that, the students work hard and accomplish great things. I am always so impressed with the confidence they have when operating a piece of equipment.

“The students at 4C were prepared and clearly demonstrated all they have learned this semester. We look forward to continuing our partnership and are excited about the future of the program at 4C Academy.”

The students, like Monroe High School senior Nick Gosier, seemed excited about the program as well.

“The heavy equipment program is great, and I really liked the challenge,” he said.. “We all had to earn the opportunity by completing the different modules on the simulator. Nothing was given to us.

“We felt prepared when we stepped on the real machines. The excavator was fun to drive and was faster and smoother than the simulator. I can’t wait to get back on a real one.”

Next for the students is the bulldozer module.

“This is education at its best — when the business community and educators partner to bring relevant opportunities to high school students who are ready to start their careers in a high-demand career.” 4C CEO Chris Hatcher said. “‘We appreciate GHCA for pushing this project forward at the state level and can’t thank Oxford Construction enough for making their resources available to students in our community. What a win, win, win.”

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