Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate

• High School Diploma or its equivalent

• Minimum of 18 years of age upon completion of the program

• Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement

• Personal Profile Submission (please use the link to electronically submit your profile)

• Acknowledge the Student Commitment Contract

• 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)

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.

Alternate Admission Option: 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:

1. (Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses

2. (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

3. (Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years

4. (Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (e.g.: first aid, safety tickets, etc.)

5. (Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)

Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission

Additional Information

Important attributes of an operator includes mathematical ability, excellent vision, and a high degree of physical coordination as well as:

• Full range of body motion; repetitive motions which specifically affect upper body use; 
• Sitting for extensive periods of time on vibrating and/or bouncing machinery; 
• Manual and finger dexterity as well as eye-hand and foot coordination; 
• Excellent physical condition; occasional heavy and moderate physical labor required; 
• Occasional lifting/carrying items up to 50 lbs / 22.5 kg; 
• Corrected vision and hearing within normal range; and/or
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.

Tuition, Fees & Payments

Student Funding

Are you eligible for the $10,000 Alberta-Canada Job Grant? If you are employed, then under the Canada-Alberta Job Grant, employers will cover a minimum of one third of direct training costs, with up to a maximum of $10,000 in government contributions. Find out more information on your eligibility! 

As this program is approved by Alberta Education - then admitted students are eligible to receive student loans. Please note though, that 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:

• Landscaping design and maintenance
• Golf Courses, Grounds keeping
• Municipal Government road maintenance
• Demolition
• Forestry
• Intensive Livestock Operations
• Utility installations both commercial and residential
• Road Building
• Waste Management
• Oil and Gas site preparation and reclamation

Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!

ALIS Occupational Profiles

Program Dates

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.

Class Registration

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.

Technology Recommendation

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. If you need to sign out a laptop from the Service Desk, then please submit a request.

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:

• Go to portal.office.com
• Enter your Olds College email address and password
• Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies

Personal protective equipment is required for all field components of the program and must be CSA approved, which includes:

• Steel toe safety footwear (minimum 6” ankle height)
• Safety glasses
• Reflective vest or reflective marked coveralls
• Hard hat (yellow preferred, NOT white)
• Hearing protection
• Work gloves
• Grease gun

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.

Other Important Information

• 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).

Required items before your program starts:

• 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.

Training schedule:

• 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.