Heavy Equipment 

Operator

Heavy Equipment Operators are coordinated and decisive experts, whose focus on safety make them a perfect fit to operate the essential machines that move earth and  excavate resources.  

Heavy Equipment Operator

As a Heavy Equipment Operator, you’re a careful and confident professional who is completely at home operating a wide range of machines including bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, excavators—and more.  

On any day, you could also be excavating rock and ore at a mine, running dredging equipment to deepen waterways, or clearing brush and stumps for roads or new construction.  

What You'll Learn

  • How to run bulldozers, backhoes, loaders and graders
  • How to run dredging and pile-driving equipment
  • How to operate heavy paving equipment for building roads
  • How to assess safety for yourself and site workers
  • How to do pre-operational checks and clean, lubricate and refill equipment 

Key Job Skills

  • Coordination and monitoring
  • Essential heavy equipment knowledge
  • Job control and engineering basics
  • Environmental awareness, protection and enhancement
  • Operation of haul trucks, loaders, dozers, excavators, graders and other equipment 

Start Your Apprenticeship

Interested in this trade? Learn how to start your apprenticeship.

Technical Training 4 weeks over 1 year
General Skills
Attentive Calm Confident Coordinated Decisive

Note: Training Provider designation applications are not accepted at this time. For questions or support, please contact designation@skilledtradesbc.ca.

 

Completion Declaration Forms

Technical Training

The classroom is where you learn the technical knowledge to complement your work-based training. Make sure to register as early as possible to secure a seat for technical training with a SkilledTradesBC-designated training provider. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC to find where this program is being offered across the province. 

Program Information

Road Builder & Heavy Construction Foundation Information

The Road Builder and Heavy Construction Foundation program is intended to serve as a pre-employment program for individuals who wish to enter the road building and heavy construction industry.

Exam Information

Find exam-related information and resources below. Looking for more exam tips? Visit the Exam and Study Support page. 

Certificate of Qualification Exam

Foundation Program Road Builder & Heavy Equipment Exam

Program and Exam Updates

  • Please note that the Forestry equipment endorsements (Feller/Buncher, Wheel Skidder, Track Skidder, Dangle Head Processor, Grapple Yarder & Log Loader) are unavailable pending further consultation. 

  • OPSN Archives

Challenge the Certification Exam

If you have work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier to become certified without going through an apprenticeship program. 

If you have some practical experience but do not yet qualify for the certification exam, you may be eligible to challenge a level exam to enter the program at the appropriate level. 

Check the Program Profile on this page for the available pathway options and eligibility details.