Construction is a booming industry with tons of growth opportunities for people looking to progress their careers. Many sites are looking for qualified heavy equipment operators to take charge of controlling cranes, trucks, and more. The job market can get competitive, and these jobs have specific requirements for applicants. One thing you’ll need is a credible certification from a heavy equipment training school.
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC) is one of the leading schools in the United States for heavy equipment training. With renowned programs, affordable prices, and qualified instruction, our school will set you up for success in the construction industry. This article will go over the basics of what a heavy equipment operator is, the requirements to become one, and the steps you’ll need to take before you can begin your career.
Table of Contents
What is a Heavy Equipment Operator?
A heavy equipment operator is a skilled person who runs the heavy equipment on a construction site or other job site. This can include operating various types of cranes, drillers, concrete pumps, pile drivers, dredging rigs, and more.
This role requires strict training and certifications that ensure proper equipment use and worker safety on a job site. Working outdoors and controlling large pieces of equipment can be a rewarding career for people who value hard work and fresh air.
Requirements to be a Heavy Equipment Operator
Before you can work as a heavy equipment operator, you must first get your operator license. The process to get this license requires specific training and criteria you must meet. These requirements include:
- Must be at least 18 years old. If the job requires you to move a piece of heavy equipment across state lines, you must be at least 21 years old.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Pass a series of both written and practical exams.
- Pass a vision test and get medical certification that you’re healthy and able to safely operate heavy equipment.
- If you plan to get a Commercial Driving License (CDL), you must finish entry-level driver training.
- Follow all substance abuse policies set by the licensing industry.
How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator?
The process to become an operator has a few steps you need to follow to stand out as a job candidate and find the right agency for you. We’ll provide some insight into these steps so you can get going in your career aspirations. Here are the 5 basic steps to becoming a certified heavy equipment operator:
1. Apply for Heavy Equipment Training
First and foremost, you’ll need to apply for heavy equipment training. Vocational schools may offer heavy equipment training classes as part of a larger program. You can also find 2-year degree programs at community colleges that offer the proper certifications.
Schools such as Heavy Equipment Colleges of America offer extensive training programs that combine real-world experience with study to teach you the ins and outs of heavy equipment operation. You can register for classes or fill out an application online.
Join HEC Today!
Accelerated Programs | Multiple Locations | Job Placement Help
Open The Door To A New Career!
Start Enrollment ProcessFind The Right Location For You2. Complete Training and Earn Certification
Once you get into a vocational school or community college program, it’s time to study. Your program should balance classroom learning with hands-on learning such as apprenticeships. Depending on the program you choose, training can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years.
Near the end of your training, you’ll need to pass written and verbal exams to earn your certification. This step is crucial, as some heavy equipment jobs require this certification to be hired. While not all jobs require certification, you’ll need it if you want to work with certain equipment such as tower cranes and mobile cranes. Check the certification requirements for the work you’re interested in and work towards those certifications.
3. Get a Commercial Driver’s License
The vehicles used on a construction site are noticeably bigger than your typical sedan or minivan. They require more care and skill to safely navigate busy roads and job sites, and some states require a commercial driver’s license to legally operate these vehicles.
The steps to earn this license can vary depending on the type of vehicle you want to drive on a job site. CDLs come in 3 classes depending on the size and carrying capacity of the vehicle you want to operate.
4. Update Your Resume
After completing your training, earning your certification, and getting the proper commercial driving license, you need to build up your resume. This document is the first thing employers will see when you apply for a job, so you want to be sure you stand out as a candidate. One job posting can have multiple applicants with the same qualifications, so you want to curate your resume to grab their attention.
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America can help you get your foot in the door of the construction industry. Our instructors will work with you to create a winning resume that gets you the job offers of your dreams.
5. Apply for Heavy Equipment Operator Positions
With your resume in hand, it’s time to start applying for jobs. You can look for open positions on online job boards or directly on a company’s website. If you know people in the industry, see if they know of any open positions you could apply for.
Many companies also have in-person career fairs where you can go and speak with employers face-to-face. This not only helps the employer put a face to your name, but you can also open a discussion with them and create a strong first impression that carries beyond the booth. Get out there, shake their hand, and show them why you’re a good fit for the role.
Heavy Equipment Operator Duties & Responsibilities
The daily responsibilities and duties of a heavy equipment operator change depending on the machine you’re working with. Certain pieces of equipment have certain safety procedures you need to follow, and the day-to-day tasks on a job site can change what your duties look like. The general responsibilities associated with operating a piece of heavy machinery include:
- Operate construction equipment to safely aid in completing a project.
- Abide by company policies and procedures.
- Properly transport and store heavy machinery in between projects.
- Perform daily equipment maintenance tasks to ensure long-term efficiency and performance.
- Complete all of the paperwork and documentation associated with heavy equipment operations and job site procedures.
How Long Will It Take to Finish Heavy Equipment Training?
The exact timeline for completing heavy equipment training depends on the program and what you want to learn. On average, training can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years. If you want to work an apprenticeship in addition to schooling, that will add additional time to your training program. There are no shortcuts when it comes to job site safety, so take the time to learn as much as you can.
Heavy Equipment Training Programs We Offer
At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC), we strive to create a strong learning environment that combines study with hands-on learning. Students experience classroom learning as well as in-field training to build the skills needed to succeed as a heavy equipment operator. Our training and certification programs include:
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations- Level 1
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations- Level 2
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations- Mobile Crane
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations- Tower Crane
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations- Lattice Boom Crawler Crane
- Certificate of Heavy Equipment Operations – Horizontal Directional Drilling
- Associate of Occupational Science in Heavy Equipment (AOS)
Begin Your Career Here!
Take the first step to becoming a heavy equipment operator today by studying at HEC. Our extensive programs and certifications teach you the ins and outs of the industry to set you up for success when you join the workforce.
With campuses in Georgia, Oklahoma, California, and Washington, visit us today and see how we can help you prepare for your future career in the construction industry.
