Heavy Equipment Operator

In this 12-week program you will learn about the operation and preventative maintenance of heavy construction equipment. This program is all about hands-on learning. You'll develop the skills you need using bulldozers, rubber-tired loaders, tractor loader backhoes, hydraulic excavators, rock trucks, skid steers and various other construction site equipment. What you will learn in the classroom will focus on the essentials to help you master your operating skills. Courses include personal, work site and equipment safety, earthmoving technology, equipment maintenance, and heavy equipment operating techniques.

Funding to train your employees may be available through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant. Train your employees at one-third of the cost.

I grew up around heavy equipment and I've always been interested in it. My Dad is in the construction business and he suggested I take the program. I'm glad I did. I learned a lot and the focus on worksite and equipment safety really made me aware of how important it is to work safely. When I graduated, I was hired by Fleming College to work in the program in a support role, doing simulator training and assisting with field operations.

Evan Fudge, a program graduate from Cambray (City of Kawartha Lakes), Ontario.

You'll want to choose Fleming for this program because of our strong ties to the industry - and dedicated corporate partners.

• We're sponsored by the Canadian Association of Equipment Distributors (CAED), Ontario Chapter - with its 200 member companies who sell, service, and use heavy equipment.
• We are known for our up-to-date equipment, quality programs, evaluation to meet industry training standards, and skilled, knowledgeable instructors.
• We provide tutoring and counselling services for students with accommodations as well as financial aid assistance.

Meet Our Faculty

• Jordan Dysart
• Chris Honey
• Glen Van Dinther

If you want to operate heavy equipment - and have a responsible, safety-conscious attitude you're on the right track. Attributes required to be an operator include:

• Good physical condition.
• A high degree of physical coordination, full range of body motion.
• Correctable hearing and vision to an acceptable range.
• Manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand and foot coordination.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Communication skills.
• Computer skills.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Self-discipline; ability to work independently.
• Willingness/ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the program, it is your responsibility to contact the Accessible Education Services and meet with a Counsellor, contact Counselling Reception at disabilities@flemingcollege.ca or at ext. 1527.

Please note due to the safety-sensitive nature of the program, there are some disabilities that may not be able to be accommodated, consistent with the standards used by the Ministry of Transportation (e.g. you are medically unfit to drive due to a neurological condition, physical disability, or cognitive impairment).

Operating heavy equipment requires a high level of attention and presence of mind. Due to the highly safety-sensitive environment our students are in, and to ensure the safety of all members of the program, anyone found to be under the influence of a drug, prescription or otherwise, that precludes them from operating or interferes with their ability to operate heavy equipment safely, may be permanently removed from the program after review of the incident by the Program Coordinator and the Academic Chair.

When you've completed this program, you'll be able to work in a range of sectors, including:

• Construction work sites
• Civil constuction
• Mining
• Road building/construction
• Quarries
• Railways
• Agriculture
• Waste management
• Municipalities

Hourly wages start at the mid to high $20 range and go up to $60-plus dependent on industry.

Three textbooks are required and are available for purchase at our Frost Campus Bookstore. Students must also have CSA-approved eight-inch boots.

• Safely operate and perform daily maintenance on a variety of heavy equipment according to machinery capability, limitations and specifications, current industry standards, health, safety, and environmental laws, and best practices.
• Pre- and post-inspect equipment and document findings of heavy equipment to ensure safe operation.
• Use basic survey techniques to interpret grade elevation for correct grade control and proper earth moving.
• Assess a work site for possible hazards and risks and report all findings prior to the operation of machinery.
• Accurately record required information in logs, inspection checks, and other required documentation for machinery and site maintenance.
• Contribute to a healthy and productive work site by communicating effectively with others including customers to achieve organizational and work goals.
• Protect self by wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment according to current safety standards, environmental conditions, and best practices.

Students applying to Heavy Equipment Operator must meet the following requirements:

• OSSD with majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level including Gr 12 (E)English

PC / Windows

• Operating System:
  Windows 10
• Processor:
  Core i5 - 1.6Ghz minimum
• Memory:
  8GB minimum
• Hard Disk:
  160GB minimum

Internet Connection: 2.5 Mbps Download and 3.0 Mbps Upload (minimum)