The training in this sector has provided very dim results in direct labour market benefit as seen in the Leaf Rapids Report, ETS (2005). The people and organizations that have delivered prior HEO training come from a variety of places and offer a variety of levels of training. Without standards and a process to maintain them the province was not able to control the quality or quantity of workers in this sector. It is apparent that industry committees need to agree on what skills they need in workers, what document(s) represents acceptable skill evidence, and what training needs to be available for potential workers.
To date there has been no process to validate HEO training that has been purchased and virtually no documentation trail to determine who has been trained and to what extent they can apply their learning. Further work is underway to address a common certification document and who will accept it.
The project research timelines were too limited by the scope of this assignment to access the curriculum that is out there and most recently being used by some of the project partners and other trainers. It is clear that both the labour unions and MHCA offer some labour force related training. But there are many other organizations offering HEO training as well, like the Heavy Equipment Operator Training Academy of Manitoba (in Grunthal), Smooke Brothers Construction in Thompson, and even Red River College.