SMS Rents helps a group of Mississauga, Ontario, high school students to learn to operate aerial work platforms as they worked on a major renovation project, turning a 3,000-square-foot warehouse into offices, reception and stockroom areas.

The students are enrolled in Meadowvale Secondary Schools’ “Specialist High Skills – Major Construction” program, an alternative to standard high school programs that allows students to graduate through hands-on experiences in industry and trade skills. A Meadowvale teacher provided instruction and supervision as the class completed framing, drywalling, and installation of doors, windows, electrical lines and plumbing. Through a contact at SMS, the school requested a trainer to teach the students proper operation of an aerial lift.

David Lorini, of the SMS Rents store in Mississauga, spent a day at the worksite, presenting the students with SMS’ standard five-part training program, combining classroom instruction with hands-on sessions using a Skyjack scissorlift. Each of the 17 students received six hours of training on the lift and received workplace certification in aerial lift safety and operation. When the project is completed, the students will have their credits towards a high school diploma as well as a valid lift operator’s certificate to add to their resume for any industrial or construction job application.

SMS Rents is one of the leading rental companies in eastern Canada, with a network of 15 locations in Ontario and Quebec, and is No. 49 on the RER 100.