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how to become an excavator operator

A Complete Guide to Becoming an Excavator Operator

Are you ready to become an excavator operator? The first step is to find an accredited heavy equipment school—like Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC)—and enroll in a training program. Our program will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to land the job you want. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about excavator operation.

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how to operate backhoe

How to Operate a Backhoe

A backhoe loader is a multi-purpose piece of construction equipment, most commonly used for excavations, that is known as a “backhoe” among contractors. The digging bucket, or hoe, is attached to the backside of the cab. The loader bucket is attached to the front side of the cab. The operator sits in a swivel seat on the top of the

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How Can Safety Training Prevent Construction Deaths

Safety Training in Construction

Construction workers face a number of risks every day, so it’s essential for workers to receive proper safety training. Discover the most common safety risks in the industry, some key statistics about construction site injuries and how Heavy Equipment Colleges of America can offer you the safety training you need to excel in the construction industry. What Are the Safety

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Heavy-Equipment-For-Construction

Must-Have Heavy Equipment For Construction

Heavy equipment, sometimes referred to as heavy machinery or heavy-duty vehicles, are used to execute construction tasks. As you evaluate the different types of construction projects that you are taking on, you may decide that you need more or different types of equipment to complete the tasks. There are various types of heavy construction equipment, each with its own set

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Free-Apprenticeship

True Cost of a “Free” Apprenticeship – By David Steenstra, Ph.D.

As a professor and former Dean of Business at Ferris State University, I’m often questioned about the cost of a post-secondary education and how that compares with the earn-as-you-learn union apprenticeship opportunities. Many would argue that apprenticeships are free education, but sometimes “free” isn’t really free. Let me explain how a union apprenticeship works. The primary function of a labor

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Heavy-Equipment-and-Covid

COVID-19 and the Heavy Equipment Industry

As we are aware, COVID-19 has affected businesses – small and large as well as affecting whole industries. Specifically, it has caused manufacturers to temporarily shut down, large conventions to get canceled and disruptions in the supply chain in the heavy equipment industry. Let’s take a closer look at what is happening during this crisis. Heavy Equipment and Covid 19

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How to Operate a Bulldozer

How to Operate a Bulldozer

Are you interested in learning how to become a bulldozer operator? Heavy Equipment Colleges of America offers a wide range of heavy equipment training programs that can prepare you to operate heavy equipment in as few as three weeks. Get heavy equipment training at any of HEC’s locations: Fayetteville, NC; Conyers, GA; Clarksville, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; San Bernardino, CA;

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Heavy-Equipment-Construction-Site-Safety-Tips

Top FIVE Heavy Equipment Construction Site Safety Tips

Learn the Safety Ropes at HEC At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC), you can learn the essentials of heavy equipment operation, including lattice boom and mobile crane operation. We pride ourselves on providing practical heavy equipment education (especially safety) tailored to your needs as a student. With more than a decade of experience training heavy equipment operators, HEC offers

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forklift-safety-tips

Forklift Safety Tips: A Comprehensive Guide

Modified Date: January 27, 2025 Driving a forklift takes special training and certification to build the skills and knowledge to keep things running smoothly. As with every task on a construction site, there’s an inherent risk involved. However, you can be proactive in your work and minimize the dangers with basic safety practices.  If you’re certified to operate a forklift

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how-to-avoid-osha-penalty

How to Avoid an OSHA Penalty

Since Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and created OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), working conditions have become safer and more healthy for American workers. The caveat is when companies ignore the standards, intentionally or unintentionally. When that happens, OSHA fines them. Knowing how to prevent them can help ensure that businesses can remain in

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Taner-Spotlight-HeavyEquipmentOperator

Spotlight: Tanner Story’s Tale of Digging in the Dirt

Tanner Story went to junior college right out of high school and then on to a four-year college. During a break from school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Afghanistan. When he returned, he didn’t go back to college. Instead, he used his GI Bill benefits elsewhere: at Heavy Equipment College. “I went to a

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Request More Information for Heavy Equipment Training

Take a quick look at goals, interests, and skills to see if Heavy Equipment or Crane Operation is right for you. This easy quiz will guide you through the process.