The first recipients of the VICTOR program were announced today by the NCCCO Foundation and Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC).
The Veterans In Crane Training Outstanding Recognition (VICTOR) award is presented to the top-performing veteran in each HEC training class for NCCCO mobile crane operator certification. HEC runs training classes for veterans both at Fort Irwin Army Base in California and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord location in Washington State.
The four awardees who graduated top of their class are: David Carter and Gabriel Hope (Fort Irwin); and John Bleignier and William Hare (Joint Base Lewis-McChord). Each receives a $100 gift card, a YETI tumbler, and a Certificate of Achievement plaque.
“Receiving this award encouraged me to pursue my education and further my career in this industry,” said Carter in a prepared statement.
Gabriel Hope set a goal of finding a crane operating job “so that I can make a career out of it and become a proficient outstanding operator.”
“A central component of the NCCCO Foundation’s mission is to facilitate access by veterans to the construction industry,” said NCCCO Foundation CEO Graham Brent in a statement, “particularly in the crane and rigging sector. The V.I.C.T.O.R. program is a small but significant step in that direction.”
Said HECA CEO Bob Albano in a statement:
“HEC is proud to help veterans and civilians to find rewarding careers in the construction industry, and the V.I.C.T.O.R. program serves to reward excellence among our veteran students.”
Eligible participants for a VICTOR award must be a veteran and have completed the HEC Mobile Crane Training Program. Awards are issued in accordance with the program completion timeline.
Source: NCCCO Foundation
