Heavy Equipment Operator

The Heavy Equipment Operator program will prepare students to enter the equipment operations career field as entry-level operators. The program contains instruction and hands-on operation experience on bulldozers, backhoes, track excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, motor graders, rollers, tractors, water tankers, dump trucks and equipment transports. Students also will gain familiarity in interpreting construction grade stakes, safety procedures and equipment maintenance as they apply to heavy equipment operation. Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and testing are an integral part of this program.

a t F l a t h e a d V a l l e y C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e

The Heavy Equipment Operator program is a two-semester course of study leading to a Certificate of Applied Science (CAS).

Upon completion, graduates will:

F Operate heavy equipment (dozer, grader, loader, excavator, backhoe, skid steer, roller and tractor) and drive commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds to National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards in a job site environment;

F Maintain and service heavy equipment;

F Read and interpret grade and survey markings and stakes; and

F Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve problems.

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Heavy Equipment OperatorProgram Requirements First SemesterCourse# Title CreditsECP 104 Workplace Safety 1EQOP 105 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operator 10WLDG 111* Welding Theory I Practical 4 First Semester Total 15

Second SemesterCourse# Title CreditsEQOP 110* Heavy Equipment Operator II 10M 111* Technical Mathematics 3WRIT 122C* Introduction to Business Writing 3 Second Semester Total 16 Total Credits 31

Optional Course OfferingsCourse # Title CreditsEQOP 215* Heavy Equipment Operator Internship 10WLD 121* Welding Certification II 2WLDG 122* Welding Theory III Practical 4WLDG 185* Welding Qualification Test Preparation 2

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Formoreinfo:

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777 Grandview Drive • Kalispell, MT 59901 406.756.3822

Additional Program Information

F An internship is optional for this program. Students must apply for internship placements the semester prior to the internship. See page 25 in the academic catalog for more information and application deadlines.

F This program is sponsored by the Montana Contractor Association and is NCCER accredited.

F The courses in this program are offered during fall, spring and summer semesters. Students may enter the program at the beginning of any semester.

Admission Guidelines

F Students must satisfactorily pass a physical and drug screening medical exam in order to be admitted into the program.

Certifications

F The National Center for Construction Education and Research

F Department of Transportation (DOT) Commercial Drivers License, Class “A”

F American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certification

Additional Costs

F There are lab fees associated with some of the classes in this program. They are listed in the semester schedule.

Opportunities After Graduation

F Today’s construction industry offers various job opportunities. As the population grows, so does the demand for skilled construction, excavation workers and commercial truck drivers. From highway and road construction to residential housing, from industrial development to recreational facility and park maintenance, the chances of employment for someone skilled in heavy equipment operation are good.

F The employer can be a national construction firm or a local company, a private utility company or a city, county or state Department of Transportation. Whatever the case, one can expect stable employment with respectable wages.

For occupation information, tuition and fees, and other gainful employment

disclosures, visit our website at www.fvcc.edu/gainfulemployment.html.

Contact: Pete Wade406.756.3968pwade@fvcc.edu

The program information provided applies to the 2013-2014 Flathead Valley Community College academic catalog.

FVCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, IX and Section 504 may be referred to:FVCC - Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, Blake Hall, Room 137, 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901, 406-756-3894; or the Montana Human Rights Commission, 1236 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 1728, Helena, MT 59624,406-444-2884 / 800-542-0807.