When it comes to an ongoing commitment to Vancouver Island University’s trades programs, Waste Management – Nanaimo practises good corporate citizenship.
Waste Management donated six trucks to VIU’s heavy duty/commercial transport mechanics training program in the last four years, including two front-end load waste refuse trucks recently.
The trucks, used in a regional collection program, are retired from active duty but serve as perfect training tools for students.
“For Waste Management, this is about giving back in a way that strengthens our long-term partnership with the university and the community,” said Glen Tulloch, Waste Management district operations manager. “We have about 80 employees from Campbell River to Victoria. One day, some of these student mechanics currently being trained at VIU could end up working for us.”
Tulloch forged the relationship between Waste Management and VIU several years ago.
“I knew Waste Management had some old equipment sitting around the shop that wasn’t in service anymore. It made sense to donate the machinery to VIU for training students,” he said.
Paul Mottershead, chairman of the program, said Waste Management and other companies have donated upward of $250,000 worth of training equipment to VIU in recent years.
The donations are welcome, especially when fiscal challenges prohibit VIU from purchasing training equipment.
“When you teach mechanics, there’s nothing like giving students the opportunity to work on an actual vehicle,” said Mottershead. “Students gain experience in engine repair and brake service hydraulic testing, exactly the kind of hands-on training they need. ”
Tulloch said it makes sense to recycle its retired trucks for training purposes.
“We divert this equipment from the metal scrap yards and put it to excellent use at VIU,” he said. “It’s good for students and good for the environment.”