Schools like the National Machinery Operators School and companies such as Associated Training Services offer comprehensive training and job placement after graduation. Training programs cover machine maintenance, understanding different soil types and working with different job site layouts. Students can learn the material at home and finish with a short residential hands-on training session or choose a location for in-person education.
A Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredited school volunteers for inspection by the organization and meets strict approval requirements. The National Heavy Equipment Operators School holds the resident sections of its combination resident and home study programs in Jacksonville, Florida. Associated Training Services has traditional on-campus courses throughout the nation.
Students can complete heavy machinery operator training programs in several weeks. Students who take a home study program set their own pace, but need short deadlines to retain the information for the final exam.