SYLLABUS

MAP TO ADVANCED EDUCATION CENTER EXTENSION CAMPUS AND TRAINING FIELD SITE

The Heavy Equipment Operator program at PCTC – Advanced Career Education extension campus located at Buffalo, West Virginia, will prepare students to operate heavy equipment in construction and other environments, providing specific equipment endorsements and career opportunities. It advances the skills and operation of various additional pieces of heavy equipment through simulation instruction and field site work and provides specific equipment endorsements and career opportunities.

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of operation and preventative maintenance of heavy equipment and industry safety standards. This course will focus mainly on safety and familiarization with equipment. Equipment that will be utilized for training are skid steers, rough terrain fork lift and laser leveling equipment. Students will have the opportunity to earn NCCER credentials, OSHA 10 Safety Card and operator endorsements. As students progress through the program, the course will enhance the knowledge and ability to operate heavy equipment to include classroom and simulation training and field training on grade, on-highway dump truck, bulldozers, hydraulic excavators and a compactor/roller.

• All students are given the opportunity to earn the OSHA 10 Construction.

• All students are given the opportunity to earn NCCER Core and Level 1, 2, and 3 Certifications.

• Students will have the opportunity to earn IVES equipment endorsements.

Students that complete the Heavy Equipment Operator course at PCTC-ACE and successfully attain the OSHA Construction certification and attain demonstrated competency in the operation of the skid steer, rough terrain fork lift, bulldozer, hydraulic excavators, dump truck and compactors/rollers could qualify for an entry level equipment operator.

• Basic Mathematical Skills

• Communication Skills

• Collaboration Skills

• Problem Solving Skills

• Ability to perform outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Ability to withstand exposure to high level of noise, grease and dust that is typically associated with a worksite.

• Ability to work near and around other heavy equipment and moving machinery.

• Ability to be exposed to a variety of substances commonly found on construction sites such as oil, grease, curing compounds gasoline, diesel fuel and ready mixed concrete.

• All site instruction will occur in a variety of weather settings.

• Students may be exposed to loud noise during site training while working near moving heavy equipment. Hearing protection, hard hat, safety glasses, and high visibility reflective vest will be provided to participating students.

• Ability to operate hand and foot controls and open and close cab door

• Ability to climb onto and exit equipment

• Ability to maneuver equipment on uneven terrain.

• Ability to crawl, squat, bend or kneel to perform inspection of equipment.

An individual, to be successful in this program, requires an individual that is drug free and works safely within a construction environment with various pieces of equipment in all weather and environmental conditions.

Adult General Admission Requirements

Heavy Equipment Operator Admission Requirements

This program participates in the West Virginia Department of Education Simulated Workplace environment.
Simulated Workplace Information

Students will be provided with any technology instruction, devices and software required.

Heavy Equipment Operator: 18 Weeks – 600 clock hours (Adult full-time enrollment) consisting of four (4) 150 clock hour courses

Course Frequency: Each course offered twice each academic year
Adult Full-time schedule shown below.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00AM – 3:30PM

• 9284 Heavy Equipment Operator I 

• 9297 Heavy Equipment Operator II

• 9298 Heavy Equipment Operator III

• 9299 Heavy Equipment Operator IV

Throughout the completion of courses, students are eligible to qualify for equipment endorsements offered through IVES.

Program Costs
Please see the Program Costs page for tuition information.
In addition to tuition, students must provide steel-toe boots to wear during training as approved by the instructor to ensure safety measures. Applicants will assume all costs related to a Division of Transportation physical or medical release.

* Program costs subject to change

This course focuses on the safety aspects of the heavy equipment industry. Students will complete safety modules that include classroom safety, shop/lab safety, tool safety and work site safety. Students may have the opportunity to earn several safety certifications such as OSHA First Aid/CPR, Hazardous & Non-Hazardous Material Handling.

This course will orient students to the heavy equipment trade. Students will learn the basics of Earth moving, how to identify and safely operate heavy machinery, and how to use the heavy equipment simulators. Finally, students will operate rough terrain forklifts and skid steers.

The skill sets in this course focus on the fundamentals if earth moving. Concepts include earthmoving operations, stabilizing soils, types of soils (sand, silts, and clays), trenching, water directional control, reading drawings, and excavation math. Students will participate in classroom training and practical application.

This course educates students on the concepts of operating heavy equipment machinery. Students will learn to properly operate a bulldozer, excavator, dump truck, compactor/roller and laser level equipment. Other topics include tree/stump removal, loading/unloading equipment for transportation and site layout/preparation. Students gain theoretical knowledge and perform learned skills through operating practice.