Twenty-one students from two First Nations near Kamsack are now ready for careers as heavy equipment operators after completing programs at Suncrest College earlier this spring. The college, formerly known as Parkland College, celebrated the graduates on June 5, 2026, marking the end of six-week training partnerships with Cote First Nation and Keeseekoose First Nation.
Eleven students from Keeseekoose First Nation finished their training on May 7, while 10 students from Cote First Nation wrapped up in late May. Over the six weeks, the programs gave participants hands-on time with heavy machinery, industry-recognized certifications, and the workplace skills they need to step directly into jobs.
The timing lines up with growing demand for heavy equipment operators in Saskatchewan, where the average annual salary is about $72,700. By the end of 2026, the province expects new commercial production of copper, zinc, and lithium – three critical minerals never before produced here. That expansion is set to open even more jobs in mining, construction, and transportation for workers with the right training.
Victory Safety, a Saskatoon-based company, was a key partner in delivering the program. The training itself is part of a broader push to build skills in Indigenous communities across the Yorkton region, helping graduates move into stable, well-paying careers close to home.
Cote First Nation, a Saulteaux community in Kamsack with about 3,900 members, and Keeseekoose First Nation, located roughly 18.3 kilometres north of Kamsack with a registered population of about 2,626 (as of 2022), both saw members complete the program. The work-readiness focus means graduates leave with more than a certificate – they have the practical experience employers are looking for right now.
