Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance

Heavy Equipment

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 have a valid Iowa CDL on the first day of class in the spring 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.

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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.

 

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Award

  • 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

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

Heavy Equipment

Requirements for this program

Course #TitleCredits
FALL SEMESTER16
HEQ131-CSafety and Introduction to Heavy Equipment3
HEQ152-CEquipment Operation and Maintenance I4
HEQ160-CEquipment Lubrication & Maintenance3
MAT104-CApplied Math Topics3
TDT103-CCDL & DOT Regulations3
SPRING SEMESTER15
NOTE: Valid Iowa* CDL
required and maintained for remainder of program.
HEQ155-CStake and Plan Reading4
HEQ156-CEquipment Operation and Maintenance II7
HEQ157-CSurveying I2
HEQ252-CJob Estimating2
SUMMER TERM10
HEQ158-CEquipment Operation and Maintenance III7
HEQ159-CEquipment Operation and Maintenance IV3
TOTAL CREDITS41

*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.

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.

Your Instructor

Adam Shirley Obbink

Adam "Shirley" Obbink

Eric Starn