General Heavy Equipment Operator

This Heavy Equipment Operator training program provides students with a combination of classroom instruction and practical hands-on experience designed to build foundational skills for operating heavy machinery safely and effectively. The program includes training on four pieces of heavy equipment along with a skid steer and dump box, allowing participants to gain experience with commonly used machines in construction and industrial environments. Students may choose from equipment such as a backhoe, bulldozer, excavator, front-end loader, rock truck, or road grader, helping them develop practical operating knowledge across different types of machinery.

The 10-week program consists of approximately 303 hours of training and blends classroom, lab, and yard-based instruction. Coursework covers key safety and operational topics including trenching safety, rollover awareness, traffic control, surveying, blueprint reading, WHMIS, confined spaces, and Surface Miner theory. With 48 hours of classroom and lab learning, 175 hours of practical instruction, and 80 hours of yard training, the program focuses on preparing students with both the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to work safely and efficiently in heavy equipment operations.

Admission Requirements

• High school transcript, diploma or at minimum a proof of grade 10 English.

What You’ll Learn

• Operate selected heavy equipment such as a backhoe, bulldozer, excavator, loader, or grader, plus a skid steer.
• Apply essential job-site safety practices including trenching, rollover prevention, and traffic control.
• Read basic blueprints and understand surveying fundamentals used on construction sites.
• Follow industry safety standards such as WHMIS, confined spaces awareness, and Surface Miner theory.