Heavy Equipment Operator Machine Training

Why Choose North Island College?

• Ready for a change? Classes are offered on a full-time basis, over nine weeks, allowing you to get back to work as soon as possible! One-week training sessions are also available on specific machines.
• Apply your knowledge daily. Machine training takes place on real jobsites, giving you first-hand experience and applied training in the field.
• Great facilities. Great instructors. At NIC, you will learn from highly-skilled, industry professionals who understand the trades and what it takes to succeed.
• A system of support. Student advisors are ready to answer your questions about programs, planning, funding options, and more. They’ll provide you with the information you need to make an informed career choice.

Program Highlights

Heavy Equipment Operator Machine Training is a full-time, skills based program designed to provide individuals with minimal or no previous operator experience with the equipment training needed for employment as a heavy equipment operator.

Students will progress step-by-step, from basic operating principles through to advanced skills, learning to safely and efficiently operate excavators, dozers, tire loaders, backhoes, and graders. Training covers procedures related to pre-operational checks, equipment maintenance, interpretation of drawings and grades stakes, basic grade checking instruments, as well as safe operating techniques specific to each machine.

Upon completion, graduates will have accumulated 245 hours of heavy machine operator experience to qualify for entry level employment in a wide range of industries.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will have the skills and experience needed for immediate employment in the heavy equipment operating field. This training can be applied to a variety of industries, including, oil and gas, road building and deactivation, forestry, residential and industrial construction, site clearing and landscaping, mining, and owner operators. Wages vary depending on machine operated, employment location and employer. Job titles may include, but would not be limited to, heavy equipment operator, grader operator, excavator, and driver.

One-Week Training Option (HEO-040)

Training options are also available for experienced operators who want to upgrade or develop skills with a particular machine. These one-week sessions provide 35 hours of in-the-seat training with either an excavator, dozer, rubber tire loader, backhoe, or grader. Machine hours are also beneficial for experienced heavy equipment operators interested in earning their ITA certificate of completion through the Heavy Equipment Operator Challenge Process. Training costs are approximately $2,500 per week.

For details or to register, please contact Wendy Samaroden at 250-923-9728 or wendy.samaroden@nic.bc.ca.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of the Heavy Equipment Operator Foundation Program.

To Be Successful

The following points are highly recommended in addition to the admission requirements:

• Strong aptitude and interest for heavy equipment operation
• Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for an in-person or telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide advice, answer questions about the program and discuss various career fields and choices.
• The most important key to success is the desire to become a quality heavy equipment operator. The traditional values of hard work, reliability, positive attitude and the desire to do quality work are essential to succeed in the program.
• Prospective students should be aware that this program requires good hand/eye coordination, good binocular vision, strong abilities in spatial and mechanical reasoning along with good communication skills.
• There is also an expectation of working under various weather conditions. Prospective students should also have the ability to stay focused for prolonged periods.

Program Requirements

• HEO-010- Heavy Equipment Operator: Introduction to Machine Training
• HEO-020 - Heavy Equipment Operator: Machine Training
• MVO-072 - Ground Disturbance
• MVO-070 - Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
• GAS-010 - H2S Alive
• AIR-020 - Air Brakes Operating Skills 1

Completion Requirements

Maintain 70% or better in all classes.