Career Services
Training is an important step toward pursuing a career in the skilled trades, but preparing for the job search matters, too. At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, our career services provide resources to help students prepare for employment opportunities and navigate the transition from training to the workforce.
Whether you’re considering heavy equipment operation, crane operation, or another skilled trade, career preparation is part of the student experience. Our resources can help with resumes, interview preparation, job searches, and connections with prospective employers. Students interested in getting started can review our training programs to find an option that fits their goals.
With training locations in California, Georgia, and Oklahoma, we serve students preparing to pursue opportunities in different regional job markets. Programs and resources vary by location.
What Are Career Services at HEC?
Career services are employment services designed to help students prepare for the job search and connect with potential employment opportunities. Career support can include help with resume preparation, mock interviews, assistance navigating online job boards, job postings, and referrals to prospective employers.
Career services can help students and graduates prepare for the job search by often identifying job openings and helping contact prospective employers.
Students should keep in mind that individual employer requirements vary. Training and career resources can help you prepare to pursue employment, but employers ultimately determine their own qualifications and hiring decisions.
What's Included in Our Career Services
Career preparation involves more than learning how to operate equipment. Our career resources are designed to help students present their skills to prospective employers and take practical steps during the job search.
| Service | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Resume Preparation | Professional resume built around certifications earned |
| Interview Preparation | Mock interviews, industry-specific interview coaching |
| Employer Connections | Access to hiring partners and alumni employer network |
| Job Search Support | Ongoing help after graduation, not a one-time service |
Career Services can provide support throughout the process, but referrals and job leads are not offers or guarantees of employment.
Is a Heavy Equipment Career a Good Investment? What the Data Shows
Heavy equipment skills are used in industries ranging from construction and infrastructure to mining and other types of material-moving work. While employment opportunities and wages vary by location, employer, experience, and occupation, national labor data provides useful context for students considering this career path.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of construction equipment operators is projected to grow 4% from 2024 through 2034. BLS projects approximately 46,200 openings each year, on average, during that period. Many openings are expected to result from workers changing occupations or leaving the workforce, including through retirement.
These figures describe the occupation nationally and do not represent a starting salary or employment outcome for a Heavy Equipment Colleges of America graduate. Actual wages and opportunities can vary considerably.
| Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Data | Construction Equipment Operators |
|---|---|
| Projected employment growth, 2024–2034 | 4% |
| Average projected openings per year | 46,200 |
| Median annual wage, May 2024 | $58,320 |
Career Services vs. Job Guarantee: What to Expect
Career services can provide support as you prepare to enter the workforce, but they are not a guarantee of employment. Our role is to provide resources that can help students and graduates prepare for and pursue employment opportunities.
Depending on the program and location, career support may include resume preparation, interview practice, job search assistance, online job board assistance, and connections with prospective employers. Hiring decisions ultimately belong to employers and can depend on factors such as experience, qualifications, location, available positions, and individual employer requirements.
HEC does not guarantee employment, a particular position, or a specific income or wage after training. Students can also use resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored CareerOneStop to research occupations, employment opportunities, and job-search strategies.
Career Services Across HEC Campuses
Career opportunities and employer needs can differ by region, which makes location an important part of the job search. HEC has training locations in California, Georgia, and Oklahoma, while our Washington location serves SkillBridge and veteran students.
Students can review our campus locations to learn more about the programs available in each area. Because programs, career resources, and regional employment opportunities may vary, students should speak with their campus team about the resources available for their specific program and location.
Employers: Hiring HEC Graduates
Our career services help connect students and graduates with employment resources and prospective employers. Employers interested in recruiting HEC graduates can contact us to learn more about current career services and recruiting opportunities.
Employers are responsible for evaluating candidates and determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications and requirements for an available position.
Get Started with HEC Career Services
Career preparation starts with choosing training that aligns with your goals. If you’re considering Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, our admissions team can help you understand available programs, campus options, and the steps involved in enrolling.
Review our admissions and financing resources to learn more about planning for training. When you’re ready to take the next step, see how to apply and contact our admissions team with questions about your options.
Career services can provide support as you prepare for the job search, but the first step is preparing for the work itself. Find the HEC program and location that fit your goals, then begin your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Career Services
Do heavy equipment schools help you find a job?
Some heavy equipment schools provide career services to help students prepare for the job search. At HEC, career resources include resume assistance, mock interviews, and help navigating online job boards.
What is included in job placement assistance?
HEC career services include resume assistance, mock interviews, and help navigating online job boards. These resources can help students and graduates prepare to pursue employment opportunities.
Is a job guaranteed after graduation?
No, career services should not be presented as a guarantee of employment after graduation. HEC provides career resources to support the employment search, while employers make their own hiring decisions.
How soon do career services start during training?
The timing of career services may vary based on your program and location. Contact your HEC campus to learn when career resources become available during your training.
Can employers contact HEC directly to hire graduates?
HEC maintains connections with employers as part of its career services resources. Employers interested in recruiting HEC graduates should contact us for current information about recruiting opportunities.
Does HEC offer career services at every campus?
Career resources may vary by program and location. Contact your HEC campus or admissions team to confirm the career services currently available to you.