The Heavy Equipment Operator program at Portage College will prepare you for entry-level positions within the heavy equipment industry

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Fuel Your Future.

This comprehensive course will turn you into a mover and a shaker. You'll have hands-on experience with excavators, dozers, graders, and more. You will also have the opportunity to gain real work experience during the placement course. You'll learn about soils, surveying, service and maintenance, radio etiquette, and employability skills along with earning numerous safety tickets like

Construction Safety (CSTS), H2S Alive, Roadbuilders Safety (RSTS), and Standard First Aid

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Please note we no longer have simulator training.

Financial Aid

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Career Potential

After successful completion of the Heavy Equipment Operator program, you will be qualified to work in the oil and gas, construction and road building industries.

Credentials

Certificate

Admission Requirements

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Science 14; or CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive), Math (numbers, problem-solving), Mechanical Reasoning (spelling or language) with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent. Program area interview.

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.

Transferability N/A

Program Start/End Dates

February 27, 2023 – June 23, 2023 – Cohort 2

Location
Boyle Campus

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Winter Term

Tuition	$11,924.00
Student Association	$116.70
Technology Fee	$78.40
Recreation Fee	$54.57
Total	$12,173.67

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Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

For technical requirements, visit our Moodle page.

2022 - 2023

Audit Fee - 50% of Course Fee

Document re-issuance Fee - such as, student ID, meal card, certificates etc. (Non-refundable)
Fee is per document - $10

GED Exam Fee (refundable if writing is cancelled)
Writing Fee - $200
Re-write Fee - $190

Invigilation Fee (Non-refundable)
Administration Fee - $25
Invigilation Fee per hour - $25

Prior Learning Assessment Fee (Non refundable)
Cost recovery, minimum $250/course

Supplemental/Deferred Exams (Non-refundable) - $25

Transcript Evaluation Fee - not applicable to dual credit high schools (non-refundable)
External Advanced Credit - $50

Transcript Fee - $10

Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500
Paramedicine - $1500

Heavy Equipment Operator

BASIC SOILS & ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS

Course ID: HEO110

Name: BASIC SOILS & ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS

Hours: 20

Credits: 1

This is a 20-hour introductory course comprised of both theory and lab components.
Participants are introduced to the types and composition of soils that are
encountered by equipment operators working in north-eastern Alberta, and to the
factors that can affect machine operation, maintenance, and safety. The course also
looks at environmental considerations and guidelines that operators must know,
understand, and comply with.
SURVEYING & MAPPING

Course ID: HEO112

Name: SURVEYING & MAPPING

Hours: 20

Credits: 0.5

Surveying and mapping is a 20-hour introductory course comprised of both theory and lab components. Students will review the origins and evolution of mapping in Alberta and learn how to read the legal-land-classification system map and use it to identify locations in Alberta. Students will also learn roadbuilding fundamentals, including basic stages of construction and survey stake reading.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2 or equivalency, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent. Program area interview.
RADIO ETIQUETTE

Course ID: HEO113

Name: RADIO ETIQUETTE

Hours: 8

Credits: 0.5

Radio Etiquette is an 8-hour course that provides the student with essential oral
communication skills to professionally communicate over a 2-way radio while in the
field. During this course, the student will learn the basic language, rules, and
dialogue used in industry.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver's license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION

Course ID: HEO117

Name: EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION

Hours: 8

Credits: 0.5

Employment Preparation is a course in which students develop employability and
personal skills for future employment. Students develop a personal employment
portfolio including a resume and cover letter and develop essential skills in computer
use and oral communication. The student will acquire knowledge about workplace
requirements, rights and responsibilities, the importance of personal image and work
readiness, as well as become familiar with the interview process.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAATC testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (Numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver's license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT GENERAL SAFETY

Course ID: HEO118

Name: HEAVY EQUIPMENT GENERAL SAFETY

Hours: 113

Credits: 4

This course is comprised of multiple safety tickets including: Construction safety,
pipeline safety, diversity awareness, standard first aid, transportation of dangerous
goods, WHMIS, H2S alive, flag person training, and ground disturbance. It is
designed to promote safe operation of heavy equipment in a variety of situations and
job settings. While safety training and expectations are embedded in almost every
aspect of the HEO program, the course will provide information on legislation,
regulations and practices of safety procedures used in the workplace. It also includes
practical application.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

Course ID: HEO120

Name: HEAVY EQUIPMENT SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

Hours: 50

Credits: 1.5

This is a 50-hour course comprised of 20 hours of theory instruction and 30 hours of
practical lab work. Although all major repair and servicing of heavy equipment is
carried out by specialized technicians, regular preventive inspection and
maintenance must be regularly and carefully conducted by equipment operators in
order to ensure that minor problems or regular wear-and-tear do not cause damage
to equipment that can result in costly repairs and lost productivity. Students will learn
and conduct appropriate checks and preventive maintenance procedures on a
variety of machines used in the construction industry.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION MOTOR GRADER

Course ID: HEO124

Name: HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION MOTOR GRADER

Hours: 64

Credits: 1

This is an 64-hour course comprised of 10 hours of theory instruction and 54 hours
of motor grader operation as practical lab work. The motor grader is one of the most
versatile machines used in earth moving projects, and is also sometimes called a
grader, road grader, blade, or a maintainer. It is used to level new construction sites,
finish new roads, maintain existing roads, ditch, trim slopes, and plow snow.
Students will learn and conduct appropriate checks, preventive maintenance
procedures, and safe operating procedures used in the construction industry.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2,Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver's license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT DOZER CRAWLER

Course ID: HEO126

Name: HEAVY EQUIPMENT DOZER CRAWLER

Hours: 63

Credits: 1

The HEO Crawler Dozer course is a 63-hour course comprised of 10 hours of theory
instruction in machine safety and operation and 53 hours of practical application in
operating a crawler dozer for a variety of different functions and earth work projects.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION EXCAVATOR

Course ID: HEO128

Name: HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION EXCAVATOR

Hours: 63

Credits: 1

This is an 63-hour course comprised of 10 hours of theory instruction reviewing
machine safety and operation, and 53 hours of practical lab work operating an
excavator. Students will learn to operate an excavator in a safe and controlled
manner for maximum possible efficiency in a variety of specified operations.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
ADDITIONAL MACHINE AWARENESS ROCK TRUCK, PACKER, SKID STEER

Course ID: HEO130

Name: ADDITIONAL MACHINE AWARENESS ROCK TRUCK, PACKER, SKID STEER

Hours: 15

Credits: 1

Although students will receive targeted training on three major machines used in
heavy equipment operations, there are several additional machines operators are
likely to encounter, depending on the job site. This 15-hour supplementary course
will provide participants with exposure to some alternative pieces of equipment,
subject to availability. Students will have an opportunity to review and discuss
equipment manuals and to complete walk-around procedures for these machines.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied or Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license or
equivalent. Program area interview.
FIELD PLACEMENT

Course ID: HEO131

Name: FIELD PLACEMENT

Hours: 160

Credits: 4

This course provides the student with the operating time required to obtain their
Heavy Equipment Operator certificate. Practicum training will cover a total of one
month (approximately 160 hours) on a county or construction site. Students perform
tasks under supervision, and in doing so gain valuable practical experience. Most
HEO practicum placements are unpaid. Students may assist with finding their own
field placement but will require approval of Portage College. Students will be asked
to sign a declaration that they understand they cannot refuse a field placement
offered to them as this course is required to pass the program.

Educational Grade 10 equivalency including English 10-2, Math 10-3 or Math 10 (Applied of Pure) and Science 10 or Science 14; or
CAAT C testing (Reading, Comprehensive, Math (numbers, problem solving), Mechanical
Reasoning with a Stanine of 4 or better in each area. Valid Class 5 driver's license or
equivalent. Program area interview.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.