Thanks to the amazing, collaborative efforts of McLendon Industries, Yancey Caterpillar, and CW Matthews Contracting, the first ever Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway capstone project was completed over a 2-day span here in Toombs County.
On Tuesday, December 6th, Toombs County students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway demonstrated their operator skills on a Caterpillar 323 and 326 hydraulic excavator. Employees of CW Matthews graded the students on knowledge and skills that had been acquired through the use of the system's Cat Simulators. Students were tested in the following areas: walk around pre-trip inspections, bench loading two dump trucks, bucket placement, raking the green to grade, trenching, and back filling. After 4 hours of work, the students participated in a "graduation" ceremony and were all presented with a program partner certificate of completion.
One Wednesday, December 7th, students demonstrated their operator skills on a Caterpillar D5K dozer. Students were tested in the following areas: walk around pre-trip inspections, machine maneuvering through a course while maintaining grade and filling holes, slope and ramp building, and pad construction on grade. After 4 hours of work, the students participated in a "graduation" ceremony and were all presented with a program partner certificate of completion.
Please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZobbbyfcH6k to see students in action on the machines!
