Students from the Williams Lake area got a first-hand experience of what it is like to be a Machine Operator with Dawson Road Maintenance last weekend during the annual Heavy Metal Rocks at the Centennial Pit.

This year, 21 students from School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin registered for the program and got to learn from experienced professionals in the road maintenance, civil, construction and forestry trades. Dawson Road Maintenance had a pair of Machine Operators on hand to teach the students about the skilled techniques of operating a grader and a loader.

“It was a really fun weekend and a great experience for everyone involved. I think the kids had a great time and it looked like all the instructors had a great time as well,” said Matt Campbell, who has been with DRM as a Machine Operator for the past several years. “I wish there was a program like this where I went to high school.”

Campbell was joined by Kurt Ondang, another Machine Operator and Brad Gerow, Equipment Coordinator for Dawson Group, for the Williams Lake installment of Heavy Metal Rocks. The program kicked off in Kamloops in mid-April. Dawson crews were also be at the event in 100 Mile House last weekend.