Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance General Info
If you have a desire to operate and repair large and complex equipment, the Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program is perfect for you. NCC offers the only Heavy Equipment program in Iowa. It is nationally certified by the Associated General Contractors and is recognized for excellence by the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association.
As a Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance student, you learn both the operation of heavy construction equipment and the preventative maintenance and repair of the equipment. You will be able to develop occupational skills using crawler tractors, motor graders, self-propelled scrapers, rubber-tired loaders, compaction equipment, dump trucks, backhoes, and hydraulic excavators. In addition, the program provides tractor-trailer training, which allows you to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License. Loading and safe transportation of heavy equipment to the job site is also covered. Training occurs both on campus and at various off-campus sites.
You should consider whether you meet the general occupational and program work requirements: lift at least 80 pounds, have manipulative skills to work in awkward positions to accomplish tasks, work in inclement weather, meet manufacturer limit restrictions for various pieces of equipment and peripheral devices, and are physically able to climb on and off equipment and operate standard equipment and controls.
Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance work is safety sensitive so you are required to submit to a drug and alcohol screening in your first term of the program. You are required to comply with the College’s Student Procedure for Drug & Alcohol Testing. You are also subject to a random selection program while enrolled in the program. This testing is similar to what is done in industry.
Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance students must obtain a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) by midterm of the fall semester. Students must also have a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) by the completion of the fall semester AND maintain that valid status for the remainder of the program.
Due to the increasing demand in construction employment needs, the demand for qualified equipment operators and maintenance technicians exceeds the present supply of personnel available. Student placement has been excellent both locally and nationally.
Future Ready Iowa Scholarships
FREE TUITION / IOWA LAST-DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES. Iowa needs people like you to fill exciting jobs in growing industries. To help keep Iowa moving forward, you can get free tuition for programs that lead to high-demand jobs and good-paying careers. Earn a one-year or two-year degree—all with free tuition. For specific details of the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship (including how to apply) and for a full list of every NCC program that qualifies – click here. Contact NCC’s Financial Aid Office at 712-324-5061 or finaid@nwicc.edu for more information.
Want to learn more about our Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program?
Request your free information packet nowAward
- Diploma
Length
- Two Semesters & One Summer Term
- Fall semester entry
Student Profile
- Team player
- Able to follow through with directions
- Likes hands-on work
- Not afraid to get dirty
- Possess basic math skills
Program Location
- This program is available on campus. General education courses are available online.
Contact Admissions
-
712-301-2573 | 712-301-1401 |
712-301-7033 - 800-352-4907
- Email Admissions
Student Story Tori Houtsma
“I came to Junior Career Day in high school and went to a presentation about Heavy Equipment and really liked it. I enjoy being outside and like the job site experience—that’s when you learn the most. It’s an awesome program!”
Heavy Equipment student
Sheldon, IA
Requirements for this program
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FALL SEMESTER | 16 | |
| HEQ131-C | Safety and Introduction to Heavy Equipment | 3 |
| HEQ152-C | Equipment Operation and Maintenance I | 4 |
| HEQ160-C | Equipment Lubrication & Maintenance | 3 |
| MAT104-C | Applied Math Topics | 3 |
| TDT103-C | CDL & DOT Regulations | 3 |
| SPRING SEMESTER | 15 | |
| NOTE: Valid Iowa* CDL required and maintained for remainder of program. | ||
| HEQ155-C | Stake and Plan Reading | 4 |
| HEQ156-C | Equipment Operation and Maintenance II | 7 |
| HEQ157-C | Surveying I | 2 |
| HEQ252-C | Job Estimating | 2 |
| SUMMER TERM | 10 | |
| HEQ158-C | Equipment Operation and Maintenance III | 7 |
| HEQ159-C | Equipment Operation and Maintenance IV | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 41 |
*Students who hold a CDL from a state other than Iowa should contact their NCC advisor to discuss course logistics and possible cost adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many students go to work for a contractor shortly after graduation. Due to the increasing demand in construction employment needs, the demand for qualified equipment operators and maintenance technicians exceeds the present supply of personnel available. Placement is usually close to 100%, 70% of which have found work prior to graduation.
Starting wage in this area can be around $14/hour. However, many students go on to find salaries above the $25/hour range.
During the first portion of the program, the lecture/lab breakdown is about 70/30. However,for the second portion of the program, 100% of the time is working on a job site.
NCC offers the only Heavy Equipment program in Iowa. Students work on an actual job site for an extended period of time before they graduate, offering much more hands-on experience. The program is nationally certified by the Associated General Contractors and is recognized for excellence by the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Acquire the knowledge and skills to obtain a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License).
2. Perform inspections, maintain and recondition equipment in compliance with industry standards.
3. Know and understand the purpose of each piece of equipment and its operation.
4. Show proper safety practices on and off job sights.
5. Demonstrates proper pre-trip and start up and shut down of all equipment.
6. Demonstrate basic knowledge of lubrication and maintenance of all equipment pertaining to the program.
7. Demonstrate and perform operation and maneuvering of all equipment in different applications depending on job sights. Bull-dozers, end loaders, motor graders, scrapers, towed and self-propelled trucks, compaction equipment, excavators, and all GPS equipment.
8. Demonstrates basic knowledge of reading blue prints, grades, lasers, transits, establishing elevations and bench marks using GPS and other methods.
9. Performs basic repair and demonstrates use of service and parts manuals of equipment.
10. Estimate quantities, time, equipment needs, and cost of projects.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office will work with you to reach the goal of attending college. Federal and state programs, scholarships and other funding sources, may be available to help you to afford college. We know there are a lot of questions and stress planning to pay for a college education. The Financial Aid Office staff administers aid programs and counsels students in planning individual methods of meeting college costs. Contact the Financial Aid Office for answers to any questions regarding financial aid. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started! Northwest Iowa Community College follows a nationally accepted philosophy in administering financial aid programs.
Accessibility Tools