Heavy Equipment Operations
Location: East Campus (Oley)                  Instructor: Eric Reifsnyder          CIP Code: 49.0202
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, blueprint reading, equipment rigging, and other fundamentals before advancing to activities like building a pad, backfilling a trench, and slot dozing.
Students will be instructed in the proper use of equipment, basic maintenance of the machines, and will receive extensive field practice in earth moving, site-preparation, construction site layout, excavation, and backfilling of building sites. In addition, students will learn to use a laser level, hand levels, power tamping equipment, how to reading blueprints, and will become familiar with OSHA rules. 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 plenty of practice with the real thing on an exquisite outdoor training course. Students gain real-world experience by applying the knowledge learned at an off-campus quarry site, supervised by their instructor.
Industry Certifications:
OSHA 10-Hour
OSHA Forklift Certification (National Safety Council)
Penn-Dot Flagger Certification
Uniforms
|
Required/Optional Items |
Required Items |
Required Footwear |
Required Safety Gear |
| REQUIRED: · One Short Sleeve Tee Shirt with BCTC LogoOPTIONAL: · Charcoal Heavy Equipment Crewneck Sweatshirt with BCTC Logo |
Mechanic Gloves | Safety-toed work boots | · Safety glasses with side shields provided by BCTC.
· Hard Hat provided by BCTC
|
Textbooks
First Year Students
Heavy Equipment Operations Level 1 Trainee Guide – (Paperback, 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: Safety-toed work boots | 1 pair | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
| Mechanic 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 (if required) and may assist with payment for the testing fees or core certification tests (first time only).  Additional safety glasses and testing fees must be paid by the student.
Program Entrance Recommendations:
- Reading at grade level
- Algebra I or Geometry
- 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
- Agricultural Equipment Operator
- Construction Equipment Operator
- Highway Maintenance Works
- Equipment Operators
- Foreman
- Engineer