Learning about future PNG jobs – 5-year-olds visit world’s biggest mining vehicles and equipment at Hastings Deering
When I grow up - I want to be a Heavy Equipment Operator
17 lucky children, enrolled at Buk bilong Pikinini’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, made a field trip to Hastings Deering to inspect heavy vehicles used for construction and mining across PNG.
In particular, they inspected a Caterpillar D11T and other heavy-duty vehicles. The D11T is Caterpillars largest track type tractor produced in the world. The children learnt about what it takes to drive such heavy vehicles and had an opportunity to get inside a simulator and see for themselves.
BbP seeks to show the children where their education might take them and has created a “When I Grow Up” series of books. A “When I Grow Up I want to be a heavy Equipment Operator” was created in partnership with Hastings Deering in 2022 and is very popular among children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program.
Hastings Deering has been generously supporting BbP since 2012, which has included support a Library Learning Centre to be established at UPNG as well as generous storage capability for BbP’s books at their compound. This support has allowed BbP to donate hundreds of School Library Re-establishment Kits to schools around the country for the benefit of children’s education.
Andrew Dare, Hastings Deering Area Manager for PNG & Solomon Islands said: “Hastings Deering PNG & Australia cherish our relationship with BbP while we ourselves are largely seen as an equipment & parts supplier a lot of what we do behind the scenes is about developing people in many aspects of our industry. Much like BbP does with the children of our future who could very well become an Operator, Mechanic, Equipment Salesperson, Trainer to list a few and one day work for Hastings Deering supporting the Caterpillar brand in PNG or globally for that matter. A great partnership to be a part of and will sustain well into the future.”
Leanne Resson, BbP Executive Officer said: “We are so grateful to be able to offer the children such a unique opportunity to visit the massive Hastings Deering vehicles and meet PNG professionals operating these machines around the country. Early Childhood Education helps to shape the children’s minds for the future and seeing the vehicles and equipment up close will go a long way to inspire the children to pursue their education with clear goals in mind.”
Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder and Chair said: “BbP is grateful for the long-term support we have received from Hastings Deering. Thanks to their provision of generous storage space for BbP’s books we are able to assist hundreds of schools with much needed book donations.
This field trip today will be a real-world learning experience for the children and will no doubt be one that the children will remember forever.
When students can see how things work, touch it and start thinking about their future career opportunities. Aspirations and dreams are important motivating factors for education at it is fantastic to be able to plant the seeds early.
