Applications open for 22nd annual Project Heavy Duty

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — School District 60 is inviting students to apply for a training program that would give them hands-on experience operating heavy machinery and working on a construction site.

High school students in Fort St. John, Prespatou and Hudson’s Hope are eligible to apply for the district’s 22nd annual Project Heavy Duty, a program done in partnership with local businesses, equipment operators and companies operating in the Peace region, including Enbridge.

Each year, the program selects about 16 senior students each year for five days of on-the-job learning. 

According to Enbridge’s senior communications advisor Rawnna Low, participants gain experience with crawlers, excavators, rock trucks and other machinery while developing safety and workplace readiness skills under the supervision of qualified operators.

Enbridge’s northwest region director Michaela Bjorseth added: “At Enbridge, we recognize the importance of developing skilled trades and we are proud to support Project Heavy Duty. Supporting these students is not only an investment in the community where we operate, but also in the future of our workforce.”

Project Heavy Duty educational coordinator Jeff Mayer said strong community and industry support has kept the longstanding initiative going.

“The Fort St. John community and corporate sponsors have been very generous over the years and have allowed us to continue to provide this unique opportunity for the students of School District 60,” said Mayer. 

“We would like to continue on with this event for decades to come and we need all the help we can get.”

Students can pick up applications from Mayer’s office at North Peace Secondary School or request a form by emailing jmayer@prn.bc.ca. 

The deadline to apply is December 11th, with interviews scheduled for January and final selections announced before spring break. The 2026 program is expected to begin in May.

Sixteen students took part in the most recent Project Heavy Duty in 2025.

More information is available on the Project Heavy Duty webpage and Enbridge’s blog.