Heavy Equipment Training Schools in the Southwest

California Schools

• Santa Ana College in Santa Ana offers a certificate and an associate's degree in diesel and heavy equipment technology. Courses include training on diesel electrical systems, heavy-duty mobile hydraulics, and heavy-duty engine and chassis overhaul. The institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

  Located in Whittier. Rio Hondo College offers a two-year associate's degree program in heavy equipment maintenance. The curriculum includes fundamental courses in maintenance, electricity, power trains and hydraulics.

Utah Schools

• The Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City provides a diploma and associate's degree program in diesel systems technology. The four-semester diploma program consists of 61 credits. The associate's program offers 64 credits for four semesters. Training is provided on diesel trucks, power and machine tools, jacks and hoist; and on equipment used for construction, diagnostics, computerized testing, welding and flame-cutting.

  A diesel and heavy-duty technology program is offered at the Davis Applied Technology College in Kaysville. The program consist of 1,170 hours of classroom and hands-on training. Some of the training covers transmissions repair, engine rebuilding, wheel alignment, steering and suspension. This school accepts federal financial aid and funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Oklahoma Schools

• A certificate program in heavy equipment operations is available at the Red Rock College in Oklahoma City. Level 1 classes at full-time attendance can be completed in four weeks and level 2 classes in six weeks. Students are encouraged to take the operator certification assessment test; created by the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools.

  The Autry Technology Center in Enid provides a heavy equipment operator training program, with a curriculum that is approved by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.The program consists of simulator, classroom, and hands-on training on bulldozers, tractor-scrappers, front-end loaders and other vehicles. As of February 2011, the total cost for the program is $5,875.

Nevada Schools

• The College of Southern Nevada offers a certificate of achievement and an associate's degree in applied science and in diesel and heavy equipment. Courses provided include diesel-engine technology, alternative-fueled diesel engines and hydraulics. Campus locations are in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City and Caliente.