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http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca http://www.facebook.com/ctvvi NANAIMO - Demand for British Columbia's crane, backhoe, and bull dozer operators could soon be as large as the machinery they drive. Premier Christy Clarks ten year job plan expects a massive demand for the heavy equipment sector, but are there enough skilled workers in BC to meet the lofty demands. New coal plants opening on the mainland and shipbuilding contracts for the west coast are putting pressure on the province to train a massive amount of skilled workers to fill jobs that will come over the next several years. Nanaimo's Vancouver Island University has produced skilled heavy equipment operators for nearly fifty years and top officials say their school can help meet the growing demand. Last spring the Vancouver Island post secondary institution's boasts 100 per cent of their graduates were snapped up by industry leaders within a week of their final days at the Nanaimo school. Officials say as demand grows the are willing to grow as well. Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog however is skeptical the province will fund the program expansions needed to keep up with industry needs. He says the Clark Government is not willing to cough up the cash needed to keep BC workers in the new positions landing on BC soil. Minister of Jobs Pat Bell quickly fired back saying annually 100 million dollars is directed towards expanding programs like VIU's in Nanaimo to keep graduates in line to land new and lucrative positions opening in the province. Follow Scott Cunningham on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CTVNewsScott