Heavy Equipment Operator Program

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – 8 WEEK

The Heavy Equipment Operator Training course well prepares students for professional construction work as Heavy Equipment Operators. Participants receive instruction in the classroom and gain hands-on practical experience, supervised by NCCER Certified Craft Instructors. Each class has no more than 12 students, ensuring personal attention and plenty of time with each piece of heavy construction equipment.

Because this is a rigorous, full-time course, we recommend that participants devote their full schedule to the training.

PROFESSIONAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING

The Heavy Equipment Operator Training course well prepares students for professional construction work as Heavy Equipment Operators. Participants receive instruction in the classroom and gain hands-on practical experience, supervised by NCCER Certified Craft Instructors. Each class has no more than 12 students, ensuring personal attention and plenty of time with each piece of heavy construction equipment.

Because this is a rigorous, full-time course, we recommend that participants devote their full schedule to the training.

Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.

TIME COMMITMENT & TRAINING OVERVIEW

On-site courses are held 10 hours per day, for 50 hours per week. over an 8 week period for a total of 400 hours of quality instruction- well preparing WCT graduates as entry-level heavy equipment operators.

Five hours a day, Monday through Thursday, consists of classroom courses, where students will be taught basic civil engineering concepts, workplace safety, applied mathematics, project-layout and basic surveying, including the proper use of laser levels, transits, chain and rod, plumb bobs, and hand-sight levels.

The remaining five hours will be spent in the field, Monday through Thursday developing the skills needed to operate heavy machinery safely and efficiently – stressing proper operating techniques, and preventative maintenance.

Fridays are spent in the training field only (no classroom) with hands-on supervised instruction incoordinated excavation team operations. This is where each student’s individual skills gained earlier in the week come together in project-based crew tasks assigned at the appropriate level for the students as they progress. This course prepares graduates for work in heavy construction, surface mining, forestry, industrial, recycling industries.

Classroom and Hands-on practice is provided for the operation of each major type of equipment. This way, each student receives exposure to all the machinery they are likely to experience in the field.

WCT is an Accredited Training Unit (ATU) of the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) under the sponsorship of the Construction Industry Training Council of Washington (CITC). WCT proudly provides the necessary coaching and examinations for successful graduates to earn NCCER training credentials during this course. The NCCER Core Curriculum, and Heavy Equipment Operator Levels 1, 2, and 3 are covered in this high intensity 8-week training course.

Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.

RELATED DUTIES

During the program, each student will be taught to perform the following related duties:
• Site Preparation
• Flagging
• Grade Checking
• Operator Preventative Maintenance
Basic survey work is integrated into most projects, including project layout and cut or fill to sub-grade.

CURRENT EQUIPMENT LIST

Each student gets plenty of hands-on time operating each piece of machinery. The low participant-to-instructor ratio ensures that each trainee gets plenty of exposure. Our extensive fleet consists of the following:

• Backhoes
• Dozers
• Graders
• Excavators
• Loaders
• Scrapers
• Vibratory Compactor
• Utility Tractor & Trencher

Those interested in taking any of our courses should contact West Coast Training today!

Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.

Testimonials

“One of the biggest lies told to my generation is that you have to have a degree to be successful. As someone who has a four year degree, I can say that in my experience, there is much more of a demand for trades such as CDL, Carpentry, welding, and heavy equipment operators. The average starting salary of a person who attains a bachelors degree is roughly 50k, which is less than what I’m making driving trucks. I also get to be home every night, and get to the gym every morning. Both of which are very important to me. With that being said, I do not regret my degree, and I even have plans to eventually complete a masters program. However, common sense tells people to do what makes them the most. Get a trade.”

 

JASON R. | ALASKA

“I attended two months of heavy equipment training and one month of CDL. Had a great time learning. Very educated instructors. Met a lot of new friends. Right out of CDL I started driving a dump truck for a custom home builder and every day I’m either driving or operating a dozer or excavator. I can not say enough for the education I received in heavy and (CDL) driving.”

JAMES D. | WASHINGTON

“School paid off greatly! I went to work the day I got home, operating heavy equipment. I enjoyed everything about the program and learned lots that will boost my confidence in the industry.”

 

EDWARD B. | NEVADA

 

“I get PAID to do work I enjoy … it’s AMAZING!”

 

BILL C. | MONTANA

“I went into West Coast Training with very little knowledge of heavy equipment or trucks. After finishing the training, it only took me two weeks to find a job thanks to the staff. I am working for a major excavation contractor driving water trucks, dozers, loaders and track hoes. West Coast Training was a key player in helping me prepare for this industry and for my future success working in it. “

JOEL M. | WASHINGTON

“I had a great time taking your crane operator’s course. It seems to be the most comprehensive program in the country. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone interested in the crane industry. “

 

CHRISTOPHER O. | MASSACHUSETTS

“There will be lots of opportunities after you finish training … once you are operating equipment, you will be thankful to West Coast Training for what they taught you … but nobody can do it for you … getting to work is up to your will and drive … the jobs are out there … and the skills you learn will help you keep working … “

 

GALEN D. | ALASKA

“The crane training I received was great! My instructor is a highly qualified crane operator and shared his experience and knowledge of the field. Almost immediately out of school, I was hired as a crane operator with a very large construction company involved in building dams. Thank You.”

 

CHARLES T. | GEORGIA

“I had the best educational experience possible … fantastic and knowledgeable instructors that always took the time to provide individual help.”

 

DANNY L. | WASHINGTON

“My experience with West Coast Training has been a great one. I enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks to the good job you all had done!”

 

HARRY C. | WASHINGTON

“WCT is very lucky to have a Crane instructor of [his] caliber … he made it easy to absorb the information, which there was a ton of … he would take extra time with me and gave me some intensive one on one which shot my confidence through the roof.”

 

PHILIP H. | OREGON

“The course was great benefit to me, disciplined, detail oriented, very educational, and a good confidence builder. The 40-hour Hazmat course was a surprise. I applied at a job which required it, and I was the only one out of forty applicants that had it and I was hired in just two days.”

 

MIKE H. | WASHINGTON

“I am quite excited … I’ve been officially hired as an excavator operator, working overseas. My hourly pay rate is $74.00 after I complete [their] training. I’m still in a state of shock because of the opportunity I have been given. I cannot wait to begin working … Thank you!”

 

PATRICK B. | OREGON

“I was hired as an operator in an “Open Pit” mine … everything seems to be in giant proportions. I want to thank the equipment instructors from WCT. I am very confident and safety oriented when it comes to the machines. The trainers here in my company noticed too! When compared to the other new hires – “I’m Bad-Ass” and modest too, ha ha. A special thanks to Employment Services.”

 

HENRY G. | CALIFORNIA

“My experience at West Coast Training was positive. I’ve never second-guessed my decision to attend your school .. and would like to personally thank my instructor.”

 

DARRYL B. | FLORIDA

“West Coast Training really helped me gain experience in operating equipment … the teachers are awesome … and helped me out any time I needed it. I am more than satisfied with the training.”

KEVIN H. | CALIFORNIA

“I graduated two weeks ago … and already got a job. I am working as an operator … backhoe/track hoe/dozer/front end loader and sometimes even grader operator for the light rail that is being constructed in downtown Phoenix.”

DAN L. | ARIZONA

“The experience I got at school was great. It gave me the confidence to do anything I put my mind to. I got hired at the first place I applied to … and [they] were very happy to see the experience I got at West Coast Training.”

BRYAN L. | WISCONSIN

“Great School … easy to understand and I loved the hands-on training. The instructors were always there and I enjoyed every day.”

KENNETH S. | OREGON