Pursuing his dreams

Photo: Contributed

Robert Nepinak was not going to let anything stand in the way of becoming a heavy equipment operator – especially not his hearing challenges.

Nepinak is a deaf heavy equipment operator from St. Albert, Alta., training to become certified at Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School.

Nepinak initially contacted IHE in January to become a ticketed operator, but the training never occurred due to a funding and interpreter issue, forcing him to give up for the time being.

“I had experience with several different machines, such as rock truck, skid steer, dozer, packer and side boom, but when I applied for the jobs I would get lots of interviews, but they would always use the excuse you will need an HEO certificate and, sorry, I can’t hire you,” Nepinak said, adding he feels strongly it is because they are afraid of hiring a deaf operator.

“I would always ask them if they relied on their hearing when they drove a car, and they often said no. They were shocked to find that I do have my driver’s licence and I would tell them there are over 89 deaf semi drivers in Canada.”

Despite the challengers, Nepinak would not be deterred.

“My dream is to become a successful heavy equipment operator so the employers will want to keep me. I have excellent vision. My struggle is just convincing employers that I can do it.”

After the initial process failed, one of the student advisors from IHE continued emailing with Nepinak, convincing him to not give up on his dream. In January, Nepinak started the process again.

“At first, it was hard to find the funds because my First Nation band from Manitoba couldn’t support me with $20,000-plus and said they could only support me for $3,000 max.”

So Nepinak turned to Oteenow Employment and Training Society in Edmonton.

Once Nepinak completed background research and proved to Oteenow that he could do the job, they agreed to fund the course, but not the cost of the interpreters.

Upon speaking to Deaf and Hear Alberta, they suggested there was additional funding through the government for people with disabilities. This involved a lot of back and forth paperwork between the interpreters, government and the school, but the initial paperwork was denied.

Deciding to make one more attempt, and re-doing the whole paperwork process, Nepinak’s application was finally accepted, however it was not fully covered.

Oteenow stepped up and paid the difference to allow Nepinak to fulfill his dream.

One year and six months later from his original attempt, Rob was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a certified heavy equipment operator. He hopes his story will inspire others to follow their dreams.