Heavy Equipment Operations
The Heavy Equipment Operations Program is designed to provide students with the theory and hands-on skills relevant to the fundamentals of operation and preventive maintenance of various types of heavy equipment. Specialized classroom and lab experiences are designed to provide instruction in operation and preventive maintenance of mobile machinery used by heavy equipment operators.
Included in the course of study is an introduction to the diverse job opportunities available to heavy equipment operators. Instruction begins with job site safety, equipment rigging, and other fundamentals before advancing to activities like building a pad and backfilling a trench.
Students will be instructed in the proper use of equipment, basic maintenance of the machines, and will receive field practice in earth moving, site-preparation, construction site layout, excavation, and backfilling of building sites. Heavy Equipment Operators are employed in a variety of occupations in the construction industry, road construction, and mining.
Exercises on virtual equipment simulators are followed by practice with the real thing on an outdoor training course. Students gain real-world experience by applying the knowledge learned at an off-campus quarry site, under the supervision of an instructor.
Class schedules to be determined.
Call 610-743-7630 for more information
Industry Certifications:
- OSHA/CareerSafe 10-hour Certification
- Flagger Certification
Uniforms
Required/Optional Items |
Required Items |
Required Footwear |
Required Safety Gear |
OPTIONAL: Charcoal Heavy Equipment Crewneck Sweatshirt with BCTC Logo Short Sleeve Tee Shirt with BCTC Logo
|
REQUIRED:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Class 2 Two Tone High Visibility Mesh Vest One Pair Sturdy Work Gloves
|
REQUIRED:Â Sturdy Work Boot
|
Safety glasses with side shields provided by BCTC. Hard Hat provided by BCTC
|
Textbooks
First Year Students
Heavy Equipment Operations Level 1 Trainee Guide – ( 3rd Edition) by NCCER
ISBN #: 978-0-13-663897-1
Second Year Students
Heavy Equipment Operations Level 2 Trainee Guide (3rd Edition) – by NCCER
ISBN #: 978-0-13-340251-3
Third Year Students
Heavy Equipment Operations Level 3 Trainee Guide (3rd Edition) – by NCCER
ISBN #: 978-0-13-340256-8
Tool / Supply / Protective Equipment
Quantity Needed | Level 1, 2, or 3 | Approximate Cost | Suggested Vendor | |
Footwear Requirement: Sturdy Work Boots | 1 pair | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
Work Gloves | 1 pair | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
Safety Glasses | 1 pair | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | BCTC supplies 1 pair of non-prescription glasses | Any store |
Hard Hat | 1 | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | BCTC will provide for the first year | Any store |
25′ Tape Measure Engineer’s Scale | 1 | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
6′ Folding Rule Engineer’s Scale | 1 | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
*BCTC will pay for one pair of safety glasses and one hard hat. BCTC will pay for one OSHA/CareerSafe 10-hour Certification and one Flagger Certification testing fee (first time only). Â Additional safety glasses, hard hat and testing fees (if required) must be paid by the student.

Program Entrance Recommendations:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Problem-solving/ troubleshooting skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Hand-eye coordination
- Mechanical aptitude
Career Pathways:
- Paving, Surfacing and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Highway Maintenance Workers