Heavy Equipment Operations

Overview

Heavy equipment operations programs prepare people to operate and maintain forklifts, bulldozers, tractors, and cranes.

Vehicle and equipment operations programs prepare people to operate and care for heavy equipment. Students learn to operate and maintain trucks, bulldozers, tractors, and cranes. They learn how to keep travel records and maintain safety.

Heavy equipment operations programs include topics such as:

Equipment operation
Recordkeeping
Repair and maintenance
Safety

Students also learn to build roads, clear land, or dig ditches. They receive instruction in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfilling, clearing and excavating.

Heavy equipment operations programs combine course work with hands-on training. Students may learn to use several types of vehicles.

Schools

Many career and technical schools offer one- to three-month certificate programs in heavy equipment operations. Equipment operation training may be available through programs for truck drivers.

A few community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in heavy equipment operations. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years to complete.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

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Program Admission

Most programs require you to be at least 18 years old to enter a commercial driving program. In addition, you must be at least 21 years old to be certified as a commercial truck or bus driver. Students should see if they can meet state or national licensing and driving requirements before they enter a program. A background in driver training or automobile mechanics is helpful. All students must be able to read, write, and speak English well.

Additional requirements may include:

High school diploma or equivalent
State driver's license
Clean driving record
Medical exam
Alcohol and drug screening
Clean criminal record

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes course work and hands-on training in the following subjects:

Cargo Handling
Defensive Driving
Engine and Equipment Operation
Equipment and Truck Maintenance
Hazardous Materials Handling
Keeping Records of Receipts and Fares
Operating Gas, Diesel, or Electrically Powered Engines
Pre-Trip Inspection and Planning
Reporting Requirements
Safety Rules and Regulations
State and Federal Regulations
Trucking Industry
Vehicle Care and Control
Vehicle Inspection and Operation

Heavy construction equipment training also usually includes instruction in digging, ditching, stripping, grading, backfilling, clearing, and excavating. Programs combine classroom training with hands-on, "on the road" experience.

Things to Know

Many heavy equipment operators are union members. Typically, you belong to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters or the local union affiliated with the company you work for.

You must get a commercial driver's license to drive large trucks.

Some programs require you to buy your own safety equipment. This usually includes gloves, steel-toed shoes, safety glasses, ear protection, and a hard hat.