Going from a small town like Fort Nelson, where people will ride dirtbikes or snowmobiles to work and school, to a larger city like Dawson Creek would be a bit daunting for anyone.
For Carter Heal it was, at least at first. But he was so determined to get into the Automotive Service Technician program as a dual credit student, that he figured out how to get himself to the South Peace. He didn’t have a driver’s license, but he could get a motorcycle license.
Now that he has walked across the stage at convocation in Dawson Creek with his Level 1 certificate, his experience was well worth it.
“The people [in Dawson Creek] surprised me,” he said. “I was expecting a more rugged culture, but everyone was super friendly. Everyone in class got to know each other super well, we’re all friends now.”
Carter also praised AST instructor Kyle Eckart, who not only taught the class how to be an auto technician, but also gave the students life advice and, occasionally, donuts.
Hillary Sheppard, Carter’s mother, had been hesitant about sending her teenage son five hours away from home for school.
“He was only 16 when he started,” she said during the NLC Alumni event after the ceremony. “It’s just really hard to wrap your head around [seeing your child leave home]…to see him cross that stage now, he’s come full circle.”
Now that he’s completed Level 1, Carter will return to Fort Nelson to attend his high school graduation and work for the summer before heading to Fort St. John for Level 2.
“We’re super proud of him,” said his dad, Wes.
Want to learn more about the Automotive Service Technician program? Visit our program page!