FAQs on Heavy Equipment Operator Training

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old.

-4 weeks.

National Training Inc.’s Heavy Now course is held at our private 350-acre training facility in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The Heavy Now course is 208 hours spread out over 4 weeks of class and hands-on training. 

Our current tuition and fees are listed here.

For qualified students concerned with tuition, National Training Inc. offers a variety of financial resources for financial aid in addition to our low tuition costs, regardless of your credit status. Below we’ve highlighted the most popular types of financial aid used by our students.

We strive to do all we can to make our financial aid programs as accessible as possible. Our Admissions Representatives will walk you through the qualifications and the types of tuition funding available to you, answering your questions along the way. Call us at (800) 488-7364 or contact us today to explore your options!

Please note that although National Training Inc. participates in many financial aid programs, we do not participate in any Federally sponsored student loan or finanical aid programs, also known as Title IV loans).

Heavy Equipment Used in Training

Your heavy equipment operator training may include hands-on practice with a variety of modern, late-model machines commonly used in construction, excavation, grading, site development, and earthmoving work.

National Training Inc. uses multiple brands, models, and sizes of heavy equipment to provide students with practical training experience. Equipment may be owned, leased, or rented to help ensure an adequate number of properly working machines are available for student training. Specific machines may vary due to maintenance schedules, equipment availability, and normal equipment rotation.

Bulldozer Training

Students may train on bulldozers used for pushing, grading, spreading, and moving soil or other materials. Bulldozer training helps students understand basic blade control, safe operating procedures, jobsite awareness, and entry-level earthmoving techniques.

Excavator Training

Excavator training gives students the opportunity to practice operating equipment used for digging, trenching, loading, lifting, and material placement. Students may learn basic controls, bucket operation, swing control, positioning, and safe operating practices.

Tractor Loader-Backhoe Training

Tractor loader-backhoes are versatile machines used for digging, loading, trenching, backfilling, and general jobsite work. Training may include both the front loader and rear backhoe functions, helping students build entry-level skills on a machine commonly used by construction, utility, and municipal employers.

Articulated Wheel Loader Training

Articulated wheel loaders are used for loading, carrying, stockpiling, and moving materials such as dirt, gravel, sand, and debris. Students may practice basic loader controls, bucket handling, turning, loading techniques, and safe operation around people, equipment, and jobsite obstacles.

Because equipment availability can change, National Training Inc. does not guarantee that any specific machine, brand, model, or size will be available at all times. However, the school works to maintain access to a variety of heavy equipment so students can gain practical, hands-on training experience.

Yes, we offer nationwide job placement assistance.

At National Training Inc. we’re committed to helping each graduate launch his future with the first job placement. Although your success is ultimately up to you, our Career Services Department has been highly successful with job placement for our graduates, which is a reflection on the quality of our students and training. We have had many graduates who received heavy equipment operator job offers even before they completed their training.

Earnings for construction equipment operators vary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary for a construction heavy equipment operator in 2020 was $49,100.

Terrific! 

Construction is expected to continue to steadily grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says this is due in part because of the increased spending on the infrastructure to improve roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and the electrical power grid. In addition to the need for heavy equipment operators to repair and upgrade our infrastructure, these workers will be needed to keep up with the need for more houses, apartments, and other building projects, due to population growth.

Construction equipment operators held 468,300 jobs in 2019 with more operators needed by 2029 to keep up with the expected growth. In addition to the NEW job opportunities, heavy equipment operators will be needed to replace those leaving the industry.

“The potential for employment in the construction industry is outstanding, to say the least. The best opportunities will be available to heavy equipment operators who have the training and ability to operate MULTIPLE types of equipment.”

Student employment prospects are greatly enhanced when the student is open to travel.

No.

With the completion of a training certificate from National Training, Inc. you will be afforded opportunities from contractors to “show your stuff.” The industry needs operators to replace the ones leaving and to fill the jobs required by the overwhelming increase in construction projects across the nation. With the right mix of formal training, motivation, and integrity, no experience is required for entry-level jobs. 

Conducting this type of training is not a simple process. The permits needed, licenses, environmental impact, and the enormous amount of land required to conduct this type of training, make it difficult to teach this type of training everywhere. That is probably why heavy construction operator schools are not found in most communities. In fact the National Training Heavy Equipment Operator School has invested years of time and vast legal resources into obtaining the necessary environmental permits and approvals that are mandated by the Federal Government and the State of Florida. The resident training portion is conducted in sunny North Florida at our exclusive, 350-acre training grounds.

There are many advantages to completing heavy equipment operator training in Florida. The warm climate allows students to train outdoors most days of the year, without the snow delays common in other parts of the country. Rain showers are usually brief, which helps reduce weather-related downtime and keeps students focused on building hands-on equipment skills.

At National Training, we believe students should have a positive training experience both on and off the equipment. Learning to operate heavy equipment takes hard work, focus, and practice, but Florida also offers students opportunities to enjoy their time outside of class.

Our training grounds are located near many popular Florida destinations. During weekends or free time, students can visit St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Silver Springs, World Golf Village, and other nearby attractions. Students who prefer a quieter way to relax can also enjoy fishing and outdoor recreation close to the school.

Choosing heavy equipment operator training in Florida gives students the opportunity to gain entry-level equipment skills while training in a location known for year-round outdoor activity, recreation, and travel.

Yes.

National Training students receive preferred rates from several motels close to the school. Costs vary, depending on your choice of single room or doubling up with another student. We can say this, the rates you will find to be surprisingly affordable as they are structured for only our students. In addition to these motels, there are many more within a 15-mile radius of our training grounds.