State will bring free heavy equipment training to Cordova crews

Cordova's street, water, sewer and refuse crews will train on state-run heavy equipment courses in town at no cost to the city, Public Works Director Kevin Johnson told the Cordova City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The department arranged two classes. One covers graders. The other covers excavators and loaders. Crews will train on city machines rather than on unfamiliar equipment in a hub community. The city's meeting packet carries no schedule for either class.

Johnson said the arrangement fills a gap left when the city cut travel money last year. Most equipment training is offered out of town, he said. The state runs courses in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Kodiak.

"Because of the budget cuts last year, removing travel, I have been pushing really hard and advocating to the state to have them bring some of those trainings here," Johnson said. The water and sewer crew stands to gain the most hands-on time, he said. Newer streets staff and the refuse department will also benefit.

The grader class will grade the shipyard, a job public works does a couple of times a year. The excavator class will move to the city's Five Mile Loop property for trenching practice. Ground near the water treatment plant and the Old Eagle lot is too rocky, Johnson said.

Johnson said he will keep asking the council to restore travel funding as budget season approaches, citing continuing education and exposure to different equipment and instructors.

Asked whether the courses carry formal certification, Johnson said participants receive a certificate from the trainer through the state's training division, which serves state employees, municipalities and utilities. He did not name the division, and nothing in the city's record says whether that certificate is a recognized credential or a record of attendance.