Bulldozer
Grading • Earthmoving • Site Prep
Train on eight pieces of heavy equipment in our intensive 8-week, 320-hour heavy equipment operator training program, built to develop the practical skills contractors expect on the jobsite.
Build experience across eight pieces of heavy equipment used for excavation, grading, loading, material handling and site work. In the 8-week program, you don't choose a single machine—you train across all eight.
Grading • Earthmoving • Site Prep
Trenching • Digging • Excavation
Utilities • Excavation • Loading
Loading • Stockpiles • Material Handling
Grading • Attachments • Material Handling
Load Charts • Lifting • Material Placement
Compaction • Lift Thickness • Density
Site Work • Material Movement • Attachments
Learning to operate heavy equipment takes more than learning the controls. The 8-week heavy equipment operator training program combines jobsite knowledge, machine instruction and hands-on operating so you understand both how to do the work and why it's done that way.
Learn the safety, terminology, construction math, grade concepts and jobsite fundamentals behind the work.
See operating techniques, jobsite applications and common mistakes before putting those concepts to work on the equipment.
Operate real heavy equipment and develop control, precision and confidence through repetition and hands-on operating.
Training is performance-based. Students must demonstrate the required operating skills—not simply complete the hours.
Classroom instruction supports hands-on heavy equipment training with the practical knowledge operators use on real jobsites.
Learn the safety practices and communication operators are expected to understand before work begins.
Build the math and grade knowledge used in excavation, earthmoving and site preparation.
Learn how soil, plans, grade and site conditions affect the work performed by the operator.
Learn how heavy equipment is used to complete real jobsite tasks safely and efficiently.
Operating skills are built through practice. Students spend time on real heavy equipment, repeating jobsite tasks and improving control, accuracy and confidence along the way.
Heavy equipment operator training should leave you with more than seat time. Students who successfully complete the 8-week program earn credentials that reflect both equipment proficiency and jobsite safety training.
Earned by demonstrating safe, capable operation on the equipment—not simply by completing the scheduled training hours.
Construction safety training covering essential jobsite hazards and safe work practices.
Mine-safety training covering safety expectations around heavy-equipment operations.
CPR training adds another layer of practical preparedness for students entering active jobsites.
After earning HEO Academy certification, students may pursue additional NCCER equipment testing.
Heavy equipment skills aren't limited to one machine or one kind of jobsite. Training across multiple pieces of equipment prepares you to contribute as the work changes—from excavation and grading to loading, material handling and site development.
Digging, trenching and material movement.
Grading, pads and site preparation.
Loading soil, aggregate and materials.
Roads, utilities and site development.
Heavy equipment operators work across far more than traditional construction. Equipment operation plays a role in infrastructure, mining, energy, agriculture, forestry, utilities and other industries that build, move, maintain and develop the world around us.
Learn more equipment so you can bring more capability to more kinds of jobsites.
Hands-on heavy equipment operator training works best when instructors can actually watch you operate, coach you through mistakes and help you build confidence on the equipment.
You do not need prior heavy equipment experience to enroll in the 8-Piece program.
Heavy equipment programs are available to students age 16 and older.
Housing options are available near the academy for students who need a place to stay during training.
Students travel to HEO Academy from outside Arkansas for training.