The Heavy Equipment Operations Program is designed to provide students with the theory and hands-on skills relevant to the fundamentals of operation and preventive maintenance of various types of heavy equipment. Specialized classroom and lab experiences are designed to provide instruction in operation and preventive maintenance of mobile machinery used by heavy equipment operators.

Included in the course of study is an introduction to the diverse job opportunities available to heavy equipment operators. Instruction begins with job site safety, equipment rigging, and other fundamentals before advancing to activities like building a pad and backfilling a trench.

Students will be instructed in the proper use of equipment, basic maintenance of the machines, and will receive field practice in earth moving, site-preparation, construction site layout, excavation, and backfilling of building sites. In addition, students will learn to use a laser level, hand levels, power tamping equipment, how to read blueprints, and become familiar with OSHA rules. Exercises on virtual equipment simulators are followed by practice with the real thing on an outdoor training course. Students gain real-world experience by applying the knowledge learned at an off-campus quarry site, under the supervision of an instructor.

Heavy Equipment Operators are employed in a variety of occupations in the construction industry, road construction, and mining.