Trainer uses skills to help youths handle machinery

JW Operator and Driving School in Morobe has trained youths over the last nine years.
According to trainer John Wanpis, since its inception in 2009, the school has graduated over 3000 young people who can now operate and drive earth moving machineries such as excavators.
Wanpis is a certified and registered trainer. He has conducted training in many mining and oil companies over the years.
“I have been attached to nearly all mining companies especially in the training department to train young people to operate earthmoving machines,” he said.
After retiring and stepping into creating his own business, Wanpis felt his knowledge and skills had to be passed on to young people.
Being a certified operator himself, Wanpis has put his skills and knowledge into building some of the best operators in mining industry and civil constructions for almost 40 years.
“I started this operator and driving school purposely to educate and up skill young people and help them to do something worthwhile”.
Wanpis said since 2009, a good number of female students have passed on through the school and have given positive feedback on the training they have received from the school.
The school takes in four trainings a year consisting of two weeks of theory and eight weeks of hands on experience.
Wanpis is optimistic about the school’s expansion and said the next intake of students will go through light truck driving.
A trainee, Warwick Hiambohn, said through the training his skills had improved in a short space of time.
He said the training has set him in good stead for a job in the mining and civil engineering sectors in the future.