Vancouver Island University’s Heavy Equipment Operator courses' students working at a construction site at the school for heavy equipment operators

Heavy Equipment Operator

Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 17 Weeks

Program credential icon Credential

  • Certificate

Program location icon Location Offered

  • Nanaimo

Make an impact as heavy equipment operator

You played with diggers in the sandbox as a kid and you’re not afraid to get a little dirty. As a heavy equipment operator (HEO), you enter a career with a wide range of options.  

HEO training at VIU is like pilot training. You gain confidence with the controls in a simulator. Then you have a 40-acre site to practice on. You also get to work with GPS equipment that lets you dig within a millimetre accuracy. 

Gain real-world experience

Your instructors come from many backgrounds, so you’re exposed to a wide range of career possibilities. We also bring in industry contacts to teach specialized skills. 
The program includes 100 hours of work experience. You can work with a local contractor or in the oilfields or a mining operation. About 90% of our students get more work from their work experience placement. 

Heavy equipment operator career options

HEOs can find work anywhere in the world, and there are lots of opportunities here on the island. As an HEO you can can build a career in many fields including:

  • civil
  • forestry
  • pipeline, mining or oilfield
  • demolition
  • environmental, reclamation

You can specialize in GPS and surveying, and you can add new machines to you Certificate of Competency as you gain more experience. 
 


The Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program

The Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program includes the Road Builder & Heavy Construction Foundation (4 weeks), the Heavy Equipment Operator Technician (5 weeks), and Machine Operator Training (1-8 weeks, machine dependent) for a total of 10 to 17 weeks of instruction. Students will be granted a Foundation and Technician Certificate as well as a machine(s) specialty certificate(s). Graduates will gain knowledge and skills in both a classroom and hands-on setting that will help them to be successful as they continue within the industry. They will also participate in a four week work experience segment gaining meaningful industry experience.

Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate
RBHC 101T - (Road Builder & Heavy Construction Foundation)
RBHC 201T - (Heavy Equipment Operator Technician)
Select one or more Specialized Machine Operator Training courses below
Specialized Machine Operator Training
HEOE 101T - (Excavator)
HEOB 101T - (Backhoe)
HEOD 101T - (Dozer)
HEOG 101T - (Grader)
HEORL 101T - (Articulated Rock Truck/Loader Combo)
HEOR 101T - (Articulated Rock Truck)
HEOF 101T - (Front End Loader)
HEOK 101T - (Skid Steer (Bobcat))
HEOT 101T - (Dump Truck & Pup)
HEOW 101T - (Work Experience)

General Admission Requirements

  • Class 5 Driver's License that must be maintained throughout the program
  • Interview may be required
  • Successful completion of assessment testing
  • Personal Profile
  • See also Trades general admission requirements

Recommendations for Admission

  • Minimum 18 years of age (exceptions may be allowed)
  • Grade 12 or equivalent (exceptions may be allowed)
  • English 10, Science 10, and either Mathematics 10, Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10, or Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10
  • Physically fit and able to adapt to rugged working conditions
  • Strong interest and aptitude for equipment operation

Students should check with the Program Assistant toll-free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6227 for details.

Transfer from other institutions

Students who have taken the Heavy Equipment Operator Foundations program may qualify for advanced placement and should check with the HEO Program Assistant toll-free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6227.

Students who are successful in completion of the Foundation, Technician, and Specialized Machine Operator Training will be well positioned to gain employment as a Backhoe, Dozer, Excavator, Front End Loader, Articulated Rock Truck, Grader, Skid Steer or Dump Truck & Pup Operator. This program has been identified as a preferred pre-requisite by Industry Employers for entry into the Road Builder & Heavy Construction Trade.

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - RBHC 101T and RBHC 201T Amount
Tuition (RBHC 101T and RBHC 201T) 1,665.29
Student Activity fee (6.75 credits x $9.98 per credit) 67.37
Student Services fee (9 weeks x $5.51 per week) 49.59
VIU Students' Union fee (3 months x $27.60 per month) 82.80
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 2,255.05
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Excavator Amount
Tuition (8 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 16,558.16
Student Activity fee (2 months x $19.97 per month) 39.94
Student Services fee (8 weeks x $5.51 per week) 44.08
VIU Students' Union fee (8 weeks x $6.90 per week) 55.20
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 17,087.38
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Backhoe Amount
Tuition (6 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 12,418.62
Student Activity fee (6 weeks x $19.97 per month) 29.37
Student Services fee (6 weeks x $5.51 per week) 33.06
VIU Students' Union fee (6 weeks x $6.90 per week) 41.40
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 12,912.45
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Dozer Amount
Tuition (6 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 12,418.62
Student Activity fee (6 weeks x $19.97 per month) 29.37
Student Services fee (6 weeks x $5.51 per week) 33.06
VIU Students' Union fee (6 weeks x $6.90 per week) 41.40
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 12,912.45
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Grader Amount
Tuition (6 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 12,418.62
Student Activity fee (6 weeks x $19.97 per month) 39.94
Student Services fee (6 weeks x $5.51 per week) 33.06
VIU Students' Union fee (6 weeks x $6.90 per week) 41.40
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 12,923.02
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Articulated Rock Truck & Loader Combo Amount
Tuition (4 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 8,279.08
Student Activity fee (4 weeks x $19.97 per month) 19.97
Student Services fee (4 weeks x $5.51 per week) 22.04
VIU Students' Union fee (4 weeks x $6.90 per week) 27.60
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 8,738.69
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Articulated Rock Truck Amount
Tuition (3 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 6,209.31
Student Activity fee (3 weeks x $19.97 per month) 14.69
Student Services fee (3 weeks x $5.51 per week) 16.53
VIU Students' Union fee (3 weeks x $6.90 per week) 20.70
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 6,651.23
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Front End Loader Amount
Tuition (3 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 6,209.31
Student Activity fee (3 weeks x $19.97 per month) 14.69
Student Services fee (3 weeks x $5.51 per week) 16.53
VIU Students' Union fee (3 weeks x $6.90 per week) 20.70
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 6,651.23
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Skid Steer (Bobcat) Amount
Tuition (3 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 6,209.31
Student Activity fee (3 weeks x $19.97 per month) 14.69
Student Services fee (3 weeks x $5.51 per week) 16.53
VIU Students' Union fee (3 weeks x $6.90 per week) 20.70
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 6,651.23
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Dump Truck and Pup Amount
Tuition (2 weeks x $2069.77 per week) 4,139.54
Student Activity fee (2 weeks x $19.97 per month) 9.79
Student Services fee (2 weeks x $5.51 per week) 11.02
VIU Students' Union fee (2 weeks x $6.90 per week) 13.80
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 4,564.15
Fees - Specialized Machine Operator Training: Work Experience Amount
Tuition (1 month x $499.20 per month) 499.20
Student Activity fee (1 month x $19.97 per month) 19.97
Student Services fee (4 weeks x $5.51 per week) 22.04
VIU Students' Union fee (4 weeks x $6.90 per week) 27.60
Approximate costs for textbooks 240.00
Approximate costs for personal attire* 150.00
Total 958.81
Notes

* Students are required to provide personal attire to meet WCB regulations: steel-toed boots, hardhat, hearing protection, safety vest, and gloves. Students are also responsible for transportation costs to worksites.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
Yes
Chair Contact:
Name: Andrew Coles
Phone: 236.628.1831
Email: Andrew.Coles@viu.ca
Comments:

If an intake indicates 'FULL' go ahead and apply.  If spots free up in the FULL intake they will be offered 'first come, first served' which means all application requirements have been completed.  
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
Yes
Chair Contact:
Name: Andrew Coles
Phone: 236.628.1831
Email: Andrew.Coles@viu.ca

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.