49.0202

(Eleven Month Certificate Program)
 

The Heavy Equipment Operations program is designed to produce operators trained in the major classification of earth moving equipment. Students receive extensive training in the operation of dozers, scrapers, wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators, graders, and skid steers. Classroom instruction includes units in a number of related subjects such as welding, grade operations, blueprint reading and preventive maintenance (fuel and lubricants). The Heavy Equipment Operations program is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

The college works with local agencies, high schools, and colleges in providing practical on-the-job experience when possible. Training, which begins in June, takes place on a 125-acre operation site. Graduates of the one-year (11 month) certificate program can expect to find entry-level employment in the following fields: county, state, and interstate highway construction, levee construction, agricultural construction, airport development, and commercial and residential construction. The total instructional hours of the certificate program are 1350 hours of which 160 hours of instruction are in Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

The applied curriculum is performed on both simulated and actual construction projects. The student will perform manual labor usually associated with these tasks (such as bolting pipe, shoveling, etc.). A course that prepares students for the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination is included in the program. In order to enroll or continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program students must be eligible to take the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination and maintain eligibility until a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is obtained. If the student becomes ineligible to take the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination or loses their Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) the student will not continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program. As in industry, students will be required to pass random drug tests to enter and remain enrolled in this program.

Students will complete an internship once they have successfully completed all course work, passed the exit exam, and obtained the approval of their advisor. Students on internships are temporary employees of the company where they receive training. They are supervised by both their employers and by representatives of the college. In addition to the random drug testing described above, internship employers may also require drug testing. Students who do not pass a drug test during their internship will not continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program.

Enrollment in the Heavy Equipment Operations program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.
 

Program Mission
The mission of the Heavy Equipment Operations program is to provide the opportunity for students to develop the technical and interpersonal skills required to be successful in the horizontal construction industry.
 

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to:

• Assure that procedures related to the operation of heavy equipment are followed in accordance with industry standards.

• Provide students with the technical competencies in the major classifications of earth moving equipment utilized at the college.

• Provide the students the opportunity to develop effective communication skills necessary to succeed in the industry.

Program Assessments

• Communication 111/101 Pre/Post Test

• Scheduled Phase Training (SPT)

HEO  100  First Aid and Safety.  This course is designed to introduce students to the possible safety hazards associated with working around heavy equipment.  Students will become familiar with procedures sanctioned by the American Red Cross and receive training in the identification of emergency situations and safe performance of common construction applications.  1 credit hour.

HEO  102  Basics of Heavy Equipment Operation.  This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of basic tools and blueprints used in the construction trade.  1 credit hour.

HEO  105  Orientation to the Trade.  This course introduces the Heavy Equipment Operations student to the different aspects and requirements for the heavy equipment operations trade as well as educating the student in the proper care and preventive maintenance of construction equipment.  1 credit hour.

HEO  106  Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operations.  This course introduces the Heavy Equipment Operations student to the identification, use and description of basic operation of different types of heavy equipment including bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, and loaders.  Students are provided a broad introduction to the processes of planning and executing earth moving activities on various types of construction projects.  1 credit hours.

HEO 112  Applied Measurement in Construction.  Practical mathematics taught with applications that apply to the horizontal construction industry.  Reading engineers scale, conversions of decimals, fractions and percents, and basic calculations for earth work quantities.  2 credit hours.

HEO  115  Welding.  Includes basic principles and fundamentals of arc welding and acetylene cutting as applied to heavy equipment repairs.  Also covers basic welding and acetylene safety.  1 credit hour.

HEO  131  Heavy Equipment Operations Internship.  The Heavy Equipment Operations Internship is comprised of on-the-job training provided by employers on actual construction sites.  A training agreement specifies the tasks the student will be expected to perform.  The instructor will determine the number of hours a student will participate in the internship.  Prerequisite: Successfully completed all course work, passed the exit exam, and obtained the approval of their advisor. 3 credit hours.

HEO  132  Soils.  This course provides classroom instruction on classification , compaction, and testing of soils.  2 credit hours.

HEO  135  Advanced Safety.  This course is designed to identify safety hazards associated with working around heavy equipment and to establish procedures that will prevent accidents.  Avoidance of actions that may result in damage to personnel or equipment is stressed.  Emphasis is given to OSHA and NIOSH requirements, inspections, and reporting.  This course also includes training in the notification of utilities before digging as well as safety reporting, inspections, and investigations.  Prerequisite:  HEO 100.  2 credit hours.

HEO  137  Finishing and Grading.  This course describes the use of various types of heavy equipment to finish and trim grades and slopes of roads, pads, ditches, and other structures.  Information is presented regarding the responsibilities and leadership abilities in relation to organizing and directing workers and operations.  Students will understand and interpret production requirements and specifications used for grading.  2 credit hours.

HEO  139  Grade Operations.  This course provides the student with details about the staking and grading operations of a construction projects.  It addresses staking requirements for roads, commercial buildings, and trenches.  Students are trained to read and interpret various plan sheets that contain grading information.  Prerequisites:  HEO 105, HEO 106, HEO 132, and HEO 137.  2 credit hours.

HEO  146  Backhoe and Excavator.  This course introduces basic identification of components, backhoe and excavator safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine teaching students to start the machine, move it, and shut it down.  Included are basic backhoe and excavator operation and maintenance so that students will operate a backhoe and excavator to perform specific tasks.  4 credit hours.

HEO  147  Dozer and Scraper.  This course introduces basic dozer and scraper operation and maintenance, identification of components, dozer and scraper safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the student can safely start the machine, move it, and shut it down.  The student will operate both dozer and scraper to perform specific tasks.  4 credit hours.

HEO  148  Loader.  The student will be introduced to the practical operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks, basic loader operation and maintenance.  Students will also be introduced to basic identification of components, front-end loader safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the students can start the machine, move it, and shut it down.  Operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks will be taught.  4 credit hours.

HEO  149  Motor Grader and Skid Steer.  This course will introduce basic machine operation and maintenance including identification of components, safety, use of operators manuals, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the student can start the machine, move it, and shut it down.  The student will also operate a motor grader and skid steer loader to perform specific tasks.  4 credit hours.

HEO  150  Commercial Driver License.  The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) course is a professional course focused on the fundamentals of safe driving practices and identifying the hazards of a Class “A” Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).  The student will be able to inspect a commercial motor vehicle, perform basic maneuver skills, and display safe on-road skills on public streets and highways.  Prerequisite:  Eligibility for Class A commerical Driver's License (CDL) and successful drug screen. 4 credit hours.

HEO 299  Special Topics in Heavy Equipment Operations.  Special Topics in Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) may include instruction on topics not covered in other HEO courses.  Topics covered in other HEO courses may also be covered in more depth in this special topics course.  Projects may be undertaken in any area related to the major program with credit hours determined by the level and amount of involvement.  The minimum involvement required for one credit is 30 contact hours.  The specific topic(s), objectives, plan of instruction, and evaluation criteria must be documented in the syllabus; approved by the Department/Division Chair; and filed in the Academic Records Office.  Students may complete more than one Special Topics course, provided that the credits earned in this manner do not exceed a total of four (4) credits.  1-4  credit hours.