Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance
A two-year program for students interested in a hands-on learning approach utilizing a wide variety of construction equipment. This program is based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) ContrenTM Learning Series for Heavy Equipment and Repair. For more information about NCCER, visit nccer.org.
Students learn to operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair construction-related equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, bucket loaders, excavators, dump trucks, and skid steers.
The program enjoys a corporate collaboration with Milton/Caterpillar, and Bobcat among others, through which students receive specialized training at their corporate site, as well as instructional opportunities at our education centers, field trip experiences, internships, and job shadowing opportunities.
Curriculum includes commencement level math and English language arts.
All students are given the opportunity to participate in a Work-based Learning experience, which exposes them to the operation of a business and specific job duties related to careers in their CTE area. This internship is designed to connect the skills and knowledge learned in the CTE classroom with the real world requirements of a business.
Curriculum Includes:
- Introduction to the trade
- Heavy equipment safety
- Identification of heavy equipment and basic operational techniques
- Tractors
- Grades and slopes
- Diesel engines
- Hydraulics
- Air Brakes
Certifications & Endorsements
- NCCER certifications by module
- Industrial Lift Truck Certification (OSHA Standard 1910.178)
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-B)*
Students completing the program successfully qualify to work as:
Entry-level mechanic, Industrial Forklift Operator, Driver Class B CDL, Construction laborer/Equipment Operator
Employment Opportunities requiring further education:
Truck repair shop mechanic, Foreman (shop or work site), Service writer, Dealership management, Civil Engineer, Sales/Product Management
*Students must be 18 years old and meet Federal Motor Carrier Requirements
Internships and Work Based Learning:
Each CTE program has a Work-Based Learning experience. This means that all students prior to the end of the second year are given the opportunity to be exposed to the operation of a business and specific job duties related to careers in their CTE area. This internship is designed to connect the skills and knowledge learned in the CTE classroom with the real world requirements of a business. Students must demonstrate good attendance, attitude, internship records, and work ethics, as well as respect for others and property.
Articulation Agreements:
CTE has worked with area colleges to ready students for the world of work and for the rigors of post-secondary coursework. This program worked with area colleges to obtain articulation agreements that allow for advance standing or the issuance of credit to those CTE students meeting all program requirements and articulation agreement standards. The colleges WSWHE BOCES has an articulation agreement with for this program are:
- Alfred State College
- Lincoln Institute of Technology
For more information related to Career Opportunities, please visit: CareerZone and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
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