The efforts of Alan Beavis, a technician at the Etobicoke, Ontario-based Hub Equipment, have been recognized by the AED Foundation.
Beavis is one of eight winners of the AED Foundation Knapheide Technicians of the Year award, presented at the AED Summit in January.
“I’m really pleased to be respected by my peers and employer Tom Stevenson. It is very humbling,” Beavis said.
The AED Foundation explained Beavis’s skillsets exemplify what the Technician of the Year award seeks to highlight. Beavis has worked for more than 37 years as a Skilled Tradesman.
He is now in his eighth year at Hub Equipment, a Specialty Division of Cooper Equipment Rentals, where he leads the service department. His passion for both his work and for people creates a positive and motivating environment for everyone around him.
“I like the satisfaction of sharing my knowledge to the apprentices who have a willingness to learn, especially the excitement when they successfully do a repair,” Beavis said.
Alan’s interest in education has influenced his career, which has been full of interesting challenges across many industries, including open pit mines, heavy highway construction, refining and smelting, aerospace, marine, medical, natural resources, aggregate, recycling, demolition and now heavy equipment rentals.
“Curiosity is the driving force behind my career choices. As a young child, I always wanted to know how everything worked,” he said.
Since then, Beavis has racked up an impressive list of education, training and certifications, including both 421A Red Seal Industrial Millwright and 433A Red Seal Heavy Equipment Technician certificates.
Beavis continues to invest his time and share his knowledge to help develop the next generation of heavy duty technicians.
He is a champion for safety, making sure his team goes home safe every day. Alan plans to continue his mentorship of technicians following his upcoming retirement.
His commitment to mentoring and sharing knowledge with his colleagues, especially with apprentice technicians, is an invaluable asset. His willingness to pass on his expertise is crucial for the growth and development of future professionals in the industry. He attributes his support for the next generation of technicians to his own mentors in the business.
“I have always believed that I have an obligation to continue their kindness by sharing their knowledge with new technicians,” Beavis said.
Following his retirement, Beavis also plans to enjoy more time with his wife, Kathy, his three daughters and six grandchildren.
