Classes at heavy machine operating schools, such as Associated Training Services in Wisconsin, National Heavy Equipment Operator School in Florida and West Coast Training in Washington, cover a variety of equipment operation, including crane, backhoe, excavator and bulldozer operations and CDL truck driver training. Classes at heavy machinery operating schools are offered year-round and usually last three to four weeks, with hands-on training by experienced instructors. Students will gain a working knowledge and the experience need to use all types of heavy machinery.
To register for a heavy machinery operator school, prospective students must contact their school of choice and fill out an application for admission. While some schools, such as the Heavy Equipment Operating School, offer an online application option that can be submitted to the school over the Internet, other schools, such as West Coast Training, only accept applications by mail or fax. Once the school receives the application, the prospective student will be contacted by an admissions counselor to discuss prerequisites for that particular school.
Financial aid, such as state or federal grants for unemployed students, and career loans or other financing options are usually available for students who have been accepted for admission. Students must fill out a financial aid application and submit it to their school of choice by mail, fax or online, depending on school requirements. Students should be aware that their credit record may play an important part in determining their financial options.
Many heavy machinery operating schools offer career placement assistance to their graduates. Some schools may hire directly within their own companies or affiliated companies. Career services at some schools also offer job lead databases to aid the student in finding available positions all over the country in heavy machinery operations.