b'SICA TRAININGStudents learned the essentials of maintaining equipment in the hands-on lessons. Samuel Alec, Most Improved award winner, and Clayton Clough, Top 4 Student and Academic award winner. CULTURAL CONNECTIONSR E C E N T S I C A T R A I N I N G C O U R S E S P R O V E P R A C T I C A L A N D M E A N I N G F U L T O I N D I G E N O U S S T U D E N T SBY JAMES PETERSts no exaggeration to say the global economy has beenIt is because of these prevailing opportunities in southern B.C. I paralyzed by the pandemic. Fortunately for manythat SICAs Education Department focused some of its efforts Canadians, the construction industry was one of theon providing meaningful training for the construction industry. few beacons in an otherwise slow economy greatly inhibited byOne of their great successes in late 2020 was the delivery of a COVID-19. Of course, the many forms of construction activityfour-week Industry Training Authority (ITA) Road Builders couldnt forge ahead frivolouslysocial distancing, rigorousand Heavy Construction foundation program, followed by a cleaning protocols and an abundance of caution were the norm ontwo-week intro to Heavy Equipment, catering to Indigenous work sites everywhere, and its clear these methods will continue inparticipants in Westbank, B.C. the months ahead.The program began in mid-October 2020, combining classroom theory with hands-on equipment experience. The course itself was an example of how clear objectives can pave the way for a well-organized group effort. Although SICA was responsible Civil Construction for the overall delivery of the program, my colleagues and I Site Servicing coordinated it in collaboration with Westbank First Nation and Road Building the Okanagan Training and Development Council (OTDC), Earth Moving SICA Education Services Coordinator Leanna Hendrickson explains. Over the years, our department has established good working relationships with many of the bands in the southern interior. This wasnt the first time weve assisted with training opportunities and it certainly wont be the last.Kelowna B.C.cruisercon@shaw.ca Office: (778) 753-6499 The Road Builders program was originally slated for March 2020, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 forced a delay. 32 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'