In this full-time, Alberta Advanced Education-approved, 12-week certificate, you will learn in a cohesive work climate simulating real-life job sites.
Seat time is maximized for students as online instruction supplements the real-life scenarios set out to give you industry-related project experience. Our instructors have experience in a variety of industry work environments and have significant expertise to share with students.
During your training, you may operate equipment such as a skid steer, compactor, loader, dozer, grader, excavator, and rubber-tired hoe.
The Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate is delivered over 14 weeks, including 12 weeks of instruction followed by a two-week, 80-hour practicum. The blended format combines face-to-face practical training with online coursework, allowing you to build the knowledge and skills employers expect while maximizing time operating equipment.
Download Program Outline Individual Peice Training
Training is offered Monday through Friday in two groups to increase equipment availability and seat time:
The program observes statutory holidays, and schedules may change with advance notice. Students should also plan time outside of class to complete online assignments and course readings.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will receive a Certificate of Graduation for the Heavy Equipment Operator program.
Heavy Equipment Operators are required for numerous industries and this program will prepare you for employment. Olds College’s Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate (HEO) is an Alberta Advanced Education PAPRS approved program. Our comprehensive program is developed with industry to keep up with the demands in the workforce. The mix of classroom theory and practical skills are a balance supported by industry.
Our program has a graduation requirement practicum of eighty (80) hours where students will further develop their skills in an industry-related work site position where they apply new skills from their education and training.
Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.
Answer three (3) questions for your personal profile:
Do you have any experience in relation to the program you have chosen, such as operating construction or agricultural equipment, construction worksite activities, mechanical duties, or utility installation? Please provide details.
Receiving your Certificate of Completion is only one step of becoming successful in the workforce. What are other attributes or qualities you possess that would be beneficial in assisting you in gaining employment?
What research have you done in relation to the program you have chosen; provide details? What are your plans after completing this course?
Class 5 Driver’s License
Please submit a copy of your Class 5 Driver’s License (GDL licenses are accepted). It is recommended that you have a full Class 5 License as it improves your employability, however it is not required for entrance into the program. Please note: restrictions such as a blow box on your license are not acceptable to enter into the program.
Driver’s Abstract
Please submit a recent copy of your Driver's Abstract (current within three months of the start of the program)
Important attributes of an operator includes mathematical ability, excellent vision, and a high degree of physical coordination as well as:
Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements. To be considered under Alternate Admission Status, applicants will be asked to provide the following:
(Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses
(Required) Letter of Introduction and Intent, outlining the following:
Introduce yourself
Indicate why you wish to enrol in the program
Elaborate on your career goals
Detail your experience relevant to this program and the industry
(Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years
(Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (e.g.: first aid, safety tickets, etc.)
(Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)
Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission
| Year | Tuition | Fees | Books & Supplies | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,000.00 | $700.00 | $1,000.00 | $16,700.00 |
Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term.
For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.
As this program is approved by Alberta Education - then admitted students are eligible to receive student loans. Please note, student loans will not cover the full cost of the program. Please contact your provincial student aid office to determine your eligibility.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
We recommend that students bring a Windows laptop to complete the online portion of their training. Students will have access to computer labs on campus. As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
Personal protective equipment is required for all field components of the program and must be CSA approved, which includes:
Failure to wear this equipment when required will result in dismissal from class, as this is a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations of Olds College.
A textbook is required for this program. Further details will be communicated with admitted students nearer to the program start date.
Time Requirements: This is a very intense 12 week program. Self study of the printed material is mandatory. Students must be willing to treat this program like a job. The field portion is very much like a work site. This program is heavily weighted in employability skills. It is very important students commit to full attendance.
Additional Skills: Mechanical aptitude, good communication skills, exceptional employability skills (i.e. ability to show up on time, abide by worksite & OHS rules, etc).
A new three year, standard driver's abstract must be sent to your Admission Officer before your program starts. It needs to be dated within three months of your program start date.
Typically, student loans cover only a portion of the tuition and fees. Please remember to plan accordingly for additional living expenses (accommodation, meals, travel) and the required equipment list.
Week 1: Mandatory safety training on campus (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Students complete safety training in their first week (HEO 6001). This is mandatory training and you are required to attend even if you have the tickets already.
Weeks 2-12: The gravel pit that training is held at is in the Olds area and students are responsible for driving themselves to the location. Training at the gravel pit takes place over a twelve week period from Monday to Friday with two groups to maximize seat time that students spend in equipment. Group 1 is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Group 2 is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m; this program observes Statutory Holidays. Section scheduling requests for training time can be accommodated and sign up forms will be sent approximately one month before your program starts.
Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.
Our heavy equipment operator program is competency-based, so students spend as much time as needed on each machine to master required skills. As our classroom is at site, students meet with the field instructor and complete a toolbox/tailgate meeting and learn about the plan for the day. Each student is assigned to a piece of equipment. A significant portion of the program is hands-on learning time in the equipment. On average students spend 5-6 hours per day on equipment.
At this time, the program does not include GPS machine control systems such as Topcon, Trimble, or similar technologies. Training focuses on foundational heavy equipment operating skills using non-GPS units.
Training takes place on the Olds College campus, where students work with a variety of soil types commonly found on real job sites. Projects are designed to teach proper handling techniques for different soils, including how soil conditions affect equipment performance and operator decision-making.
Olds College does not directly assign practicum placements. However, students have strong success securing opportunities on their own, and we provide industry connections, company lists, and career supports to help with the process. Students can also access Olds College resume-building workshops and employment resources while in the program.
No. The program uses a rotational equipment system to ensure students gain experience on multiple machines, sizes, and models. Training includes loaders, dozers, excavators, skid steers, and rubber-tired hoes. Cohorts are capped at 10 students, with morning and afternoon groups supported by a field instructor and lead instructor. This ensures each student gets significant time on every machine type.
Because the curriculum is competency-based, hours vary by student and machine. As a guideline, learners typically receive 5–6 hours of hands-on equipment operation per day, plus additional project-based practice. Theory components are delivered through MOODLE so students can maximize time working on real equipment.
Students complete WHMIS, Standard First Aid & CPR, Ground Disturbance Level 2, H2S Alive, Construction Safety Training System (CSTS), and Common Safety Orientation (CSO) training in their first week. If you do have tickets that are valid within the last 6 months, please provide these to the enrollment advisor and this information will be shared with the instructional staff who will determine if you do not have to re-take these 3rd party certifications.
Graduates earn a provincially approved Certificate of Graduation reviewed annually by industry partners. As an accredited post-secondary credential, the certificate is recognized by employers across Canada and internationally, including in construction, heavy equipment operation, and related industries.
Students should contact their provincial student aid office to confirm eligibility. While planning, be sure to budget for accommodation, meals, travel, and required equipment. More information is available on Student Funding on our website. Don't forget to check out our Student Awards!
Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.
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