Top 6 Schools For Heavy Equipment Operation in the World 2024

Based on tuition, format and certification, these are the top 6 schools for heavy equipment operation in the world.

So if you have an interest attending the best schools for heavy equipment operation, then this list is definitely for you.

Heavy machine operator schools that provide hands-on training in addition to classroom education are the best.

Because each construction work may demand expertise with various equipment at each job site, these programs should include training on a variety of heavy equipment.

Here’s our list of the best heavy equipment operator schools to meet your educational needs.

Heavy Equipment Operator Schools

Students learn how to handle a variety of heavy machinery at a heavy equipment operator school, including huge wheel loaders, bulldozers, excavators’ dump trucks, and forklifts.

The majority of these courses are expensive and offer certification.

Those who are fortunate enough to be accepted into an apprenticeship program through their local union may be able to earn money while studying on the job.

1. North Country Heavy Equipment School

‣ Cost of Tuition: $4,990

‣ Format: In-person

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

North Country Heavy Equipment School is the best overall heavy equipment operator school because you spend 95% of your time hands-on and lodging is included intuition.

Pros & Cons

Below are some of the pros and cons of north country equipment school.

Pros

‣ Classes are offered every month

‣ Discounted motel rates if you don’t use student lodging

‣ Excavation competent person training (ECPT) certification.

Cons

‣ Must have a roommate for student lodging

‣ Enrollment limited to 12 people

Overview

Your tuition at North Country Heavy Equipment School includes lodging at the school’s off-site location. There are five bedrooms and three shared bathrooms in this apartment.

There’s free WiFi, a fully equipped common kitchen, and even a barbecue and table in the backyard. If you don’t want to stay there, there are various motels and campgrounds nearby that offer cheap rates.

An excavator, articulated motor grader, articulated front-end loader, compact track loader, 6-way angle blade dozer, extend hoe backhoe, and tandem axle dump truck is among the heavy equipment you’ll need.

2. National Training, Inc.

‣ Cost of Tuition: $11,995

‣ Format: In-person

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

The best in-person heavy equipment operator school is National Training, Inc. because it provides more hands-on projects and exercises than most schools we reviewed.

This all takes place where the weather is nice year-round so students usually don’t have any training downtime.

Pros & Cons

Below are some of the pros and cons of national training inc.

Pros

‣ Nationwide job placement assistance

‣ Veterans and military members may be able to use VA or GI Bill

Cons

‣ No on-campus lodging, but the school gets preferred rates at area motels

‣ Only one location

Overview

Students acquire National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) registration for bulldozers, loaders, backhoes, and excavators at National Training, Inc.’s 350-acre facility in Green Cove Springs, Florida.

During your stay on campus, you’ll fill out a pre-hire application that will be sent out to potential employers all over the country.

Your registration fee is included in the tuition of $11,995. A $75 administration fee is also not included in your tuition.

3. Vista

‣ Cost Of Tuition: $49 one-time to $645 per month

‣ Format: Online

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

Vista offers the best online school because of its flexible pricing and quick lessons.

Pros & Cons

Below are some of the pros and cons of training at the vista.

Pros

‣ Try two lessons for free

‣ Pay-as-you-go training

Cons

‣ No hands-on learning

‣ Exam scores printed on your certificate

Overview

Because Vista’s tuition is based on a subscription model, the faster you complete the program, the less it will cost you. Each course lasts between one and two hours.

The subscription covers up to ten people, making it ideal for construction firms looking to train their workers.

You can also buy each course for $49.00 if you don’t want to commit to a subscription. This is an excellent option for those on a tight budget.

Alternatively, you can pay $129 each month for access to the following courses by purchasing a course library:

‣ Heavy Equipment Library: 8 courses

‣ Support Equipment Library: 7 courses

‣ Lifting & Rigging Library: 8 courses

‣ Pipe layer Installation Library: 3 courses

‣ Online Video Library: 70 videos

Heavy equipment covered includes articulated haul trucks, backhoe loaders, dozers, motor graders, track excavators, and wheel loaders.

4. Performance Training Solutions

‣ Cost of Tuition: $6,995

‣ Format: In-person

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

Performance Training Solutions (PTS) offers the best heavy equipment operator school for professional certification allowing you to get certification through both NCCER and NCCCO.

Pros & Cons

Below is a list of the pros and cons of performance training solutions.

Pros

‣ Save $500 on tuition by getting a tour

‣ 70% of your 120-hour training is hands-on

Cons

‣ Meals not provided

‣ Lodging is not provided, but PTS gets preferred rates at local motels

Overview

Heavy Equipment Operator I, Heavy Equipment Operator II and Mobile Crane Operations are the three courses offered by PTS.

Each one lasts three weeks or 120 hours. Every weekday near Columbus, OH, you’ll attend a lesson. The NCCER certification is included in the Heavy Equipment Operator courses, which cost $6,995.

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators offers certification for $6,495 in Mobile Crane Operations (NCCCO).

5. International Union of Operating Engineers

‣ Cost of Tuition: Free

‣ Format: In-person

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

Because it is free, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) offers the best heavy equipment operator school apprenticeship.

In reality, they’ll compensate you and provide you with the same perks as all other IUOE members.

Pros & Cons

List of the international union of operating engineers’ pros and cons.

Pros

‣ Health insurance, pension, and access to union training programs

‣ Master a variety of heavy equipment

Cons

‣ Very competitive with few openings

‣ Earning a spot may require networking

Overview

You must first finish a 40-hour pre-apprenticeship training course at your local union’s training facility before beginning your IUOE apprenticeship.

You’ll be trained for three years (6,000 hours) during your apprenticeship. The rest is learned on the job and comprises 192 hours of correspondent training and 240 hours of classroom education.

It is completely free to join IUOE as an apprentice. Actually, they’ll pay you to learn on the job.

6. Hawkeye Community College

‣ Cost of Tuition: $4,499

‣ Format: In-person

‣ Certification: Yes

Why We Chose It

With its focus on both light and heavy equipment, Hawkeye Community College lets you earn a certificate that encompasses many different types of equipment you’ll encounter on a construction site.

Pros & Cons

Below is the list of hawkeye college’s pros and cons.

Pros

‣ Scholarships available

‣ Simulated training to prepare for using actual equipment

Cons

‣ Focuses on learning light equipment only

‣ No formal job placement program

Overview

Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa, offers a Construction Equipment Operator Training program that will allow you to get your non-credit certificate in eight weeks.

This course combines light and heavy equipment in 240 hours of in-class and hands-on instruction and includes both simulation and heavy equipment work.

Bulldozers, excavators, skid steer loaders, huge wheel loaders, motor graders, small excavators, all-terrain forklifts, and dump trucks are among the equipment you’ll use.

Conclusion

Whatever type of construction site you prefer, you’ll need to be able to operate a variety of heavy machinery.

If you can’t learn on the job, the easiest method to achieve this is to enroll in a heavy equipment operator school.

Because of its price and amount of time spent studying hands-on with a variety of heavy equipment, we recommend North Country Heavy Equipment School. It also offers free student housing with facilities.

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