It’s Your World to Build
Heavy Equipment Operator Training and Skilled Trade Programs
Build Your Future with Heavy Equipment Operator Training
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC) has created a rigorous curriculum that combines classroom knowledge-building with hands-on skills training.
We prepare students for careers operating excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, and other heavy equipment used to build the roads, bridges, schools, and infrastructure our communities rely on every day.
You were meant for this
You’ve got what it takes to change your life and the world around you.
Build Skills. Earn Credentials.
Depending on your chosen program, you may be eligible to earn credentials such as NCCCO certification for crane operation, ADEPT certification for heavy equipment operation, or train at facilities recognized by organizations like NCCER.
Every career path is different, and individual certification opportunities vary by program and campus. Our admissions team can help you understand which certifications align with your goals and the training required.
Find an HEC Campus
With training locations across the country, we make it easier to find hands-on career training close to home. Explore our campuses and discover programs designed to help you build the skills needed for careers in heavy equipment operation, HVAC, crane operation, powerline utilities, and more.
Our Commitment to the Skilled Trades
We’re not here to follow the norm. At the Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, we’ve set out to reshape perceptions of skilled labor and the essential trades by boldly challenging stereotypes and redefining the value of craftsmanship and expertise in today’s world.
HEC combines classroom instruction with hands-on training designed to help students understand the equipment, systems, safety practices, and procedures in their chosen program.
Our Hired Graduates
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America is proud to offer job placement assistance.
Steve Ayala
TSMC Arizona
Kenntavius Ingram
Ruby Collins
Jose Amador
Athens Services
Gabriel Sepeda
Waste Connections
Victor Aguirre-De la Cruz
San Bernardino
Mia Stephens
Astra Group
Anthony Roel Jr.
Motive Energy Telecommunication
David Rivera
Pure Pride Construction
Vicente Santiago
Thiessen Construction & Engineering
Frank Lakeman
Peterson CAT
Travis Wilson
South Way Crane
Matthew Contreaus
Cyclone Construction
Answer the Call to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
Our programs provide hands-on equipment training, industry-focused education, and nationally recognized certifications employers trust. Students can explore foundational and advanced heavy equipment programs designed to help them build practical skills used in construction and related industries.
Career Training to Help You Meet Your Goals
Featured Programs
Discover our top training programs, designed to help you take the next step in your journey. Explore hands-on training options in essential trades and construction equipment, including: Heavy equipment operation, heating and air technology, crane operation, and powerline work.
Program availability varies by campus.
Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations – Level I
Build a strong foundation in heavy equipment operation and earthmoving. Get hands-on training with heavy machinery such as backhoes, wheel loaders, and skid steers. Students also learn safety, preventive maintenance, and construction site fundamentals to prepare for entry-level operator roles.
Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations – Level II
Take your skills to the next level with advanced training in equipment operation. Learn advanced grading techniques on the bulldozer and gain complex excavation operation skills. Students also learn advanced project site layouts and civil blueprint reading. The Level II program builds on the essential training from Level I, preparing students for complex heavy equipment responsibilities.
Mobile Crane Operations
Our Mobile Crane Program combines hands-on training with classroom instruction to build a complete foundation in crane operation. You will learn crane setup, lift planning, rigging and signaling, and load dynamics from experienced instructors who know what employers expect. By the time you finish, you will have the knowledge and real world skills to operate with confidence on the job site.
Tower Crane Operations
Learn the fundamental skills and knowledge you need to operate tower cranes safely and effectively. The HEC Tower Crane training program prepares you for direct entry into the workforce as a tower crane operator. The program is offered at our Georgia, Oklahoma, and California campuses.
Heating and Air Technology Program
Gain hands-on HVAC training that combines classroom instruction with real-world practice. Students learn how to install, maintain, and troubleshoot heating and cooling systems. HEC helps develop the skills needed to pursue HVAC certification and entry-level technician opportunities.
Fixed Cab Crane Operation with Rigging & Signaling
Train for a career in fixed cab crane operation at HEC. Our certification program covers fundamentals, hands-on operation, rigging, and signaling. Earn your NCCCO certification as a fixed cab crane operator, rigger, or signalperson in as little as three weeks.
HEC Powerline Program
Prepare for a career in the electrical utility industry through hands-on training focused on the skills and safety practices used by powerline workers. Students gain foundational knowledge of power distribution systems, equipment operation, and industry procedures designed to support entry-level employment opportunities.
Explore Ways to Pay for Training at HEC
The right training can change everything. Our admissions team is here to help you find the right financing options and make sure that training stays within reach.
From government workforce grants and VA education benefits to scholarships and private loan financing, you have options. You don’t have to navigate the process alone. Wherever you’re starting from, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Every swing at the Masters is a testament to someone’s vision and hard work. The sculpted greens, perilous bunkers and rolling fairway on the Augusta National golf course – someone like you made it real.
Supporting Your Path to Employment
AT HEC, TRAINING IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
Your future starts with the skills you build today, and we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
You’ll be putting in hard work – prepping, interviewing, and proving you’re the one for the job. But know that you’re not doing it alone. From resume assistance and interview preparation to employer outreach and alumni connections, HEC can help you put your best foot forward.
Start your online application process for free.
You know what you’re capable of. This is a power move. Choosing this is showing the world what it really means to step up.
This kind of work has a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the construction site. It impacts families, strengthens communities, and contributes to the foundation of our nation. The future is being built right now, by people like you who aren’t afraid of hard work and who are ready to make a real difference.
So, seize this moment and make it yours. Grab it with both hands. Let’s get to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training programs does HEC offer?
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America offers hands-on training and certification programs in heavy equipment operation and crane operation, with additional skilled trades programs like our HEC Powerline Program and Heating and Air Technology (HVAC) Certification Program at select campuses.
Where are HEC campuses located?
Heavy Equipment College operates campuses across the U.S. with campuses located in San Bernardino, CA; Oklahoma City, OK; and Stonecrest, GA. Visit our campus locations page to find hours, directions, and program availability.
How long are HEC training programs?
Many HEC heavy equipment and crane operator programs are designed to be completed in 3 to 8 weeks of full-time, hands-on training. Actual individual graduation timelines can vary based on the specific program and personal learning pace. Contact an advisor for the exact schedule and upcoming class dates.
What equipment may students train on?
Heavy equipment certification programs include excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, skid steers, front-end loaders, and graders. Our hands-on training programs lets students spend time in the seat. Exact equipment access varies by program and campus.
What credentials may be available?
Our training programs are designed to prepare graduates for industry credentials tied to each program study focus. Depending on your program, that may include NCCER certifications, OSHA safety credentials, the NCCCO crane operator certification, or CDL requirements where they apply.
Eligibility for each credential varies by program and is set by the issuing organization, not by HEC. Talk to an advisor to find out which credentials fit your goals.
What financial assistance options may be available?
HEC offers several financing options to help pay for school. Depending on your eligibility, options may include VA and military education benefits, employer-sponsored training, and loan, grant, or scholarship programs. Our financial advisors will walk you through what’s available and help you choose the right fit.