Fixed Cab Crane Operation with Rigging and Signaling

To qualify for enrollment, applicants must be able to read and write the English language and be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers require a drug test; therefore, it is recommended that students are able to pass a drug screening test.

Certain criteria may disqualify an applicant because they may prevent a graduate from obtaining employment; admission may still be granted if the Institution determines the applicant is capable of obtaining employment upon graduation. The Institution will make this determination on a case-by-case basis.

Length. Full Time – 3 Weeks; 120 total instructional clock hours. A clock hour is defined as 50 minutes of instruction in a 60-minute period.

Training hours. Training hours range from: Monday through Saturday 7:00am – 5:00pm. Training times may be adjusted to accommodate seasonal weather conditions, holidays and other unforeseen circumstances. However, all program hours will be offered. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for additional training time with instructors and for students to make-up any missed coursework.

Class size. The number of students per class range from one to thirty students. Maximum student to instructor ratios is as follows: Classroom Instruction - 30:1, and field instruction - 12:1. The normal training day runs approximately ten hours with a lunch break.

Upcoming start dates. 10/5/2026, 10/26/2026, 11/16/2026, 12/7/2026, 1/4/2027, 1/25/2027, 2/15/2027, 3/8/2027, 3/29/2027, 4/19/2027, 5/10/2027, 5/31/2027.

21104FC: Crane Safety. This lab is designed to allow the trainee to practice and perform the rigging operations required for the lifts to be made. Under the guidance of their instructor, they will select the correct rigging hardware and rig the load to be lifted. The trainee will also demonstrate the proper ANSI hand signals while other students perform the lift. Upon completion of this lab, students will be able to: 1) Correctly rig various loads for lifting; 2) Correctly signal a crane operator for lifting a load.

21102FC: Basic Principles of Cranes. Offers students an introduction to lattice boom crawler crane equipment with an in-depth discussion of terminology and nomenclature. Explains the basic scientific principles associated with lattice boom crawler crane operations.

21203FC: Preventative Maintenance. This class covers preventative maintenance and compliance inspections on a crane. Presents the safety considerations, procedures, and equipment/materials required for these inspections.

20019FC: Hand Signals. This course offers the student an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of hand signals. Discusses a variety of hand signals and their applications within the mobile crane industry. Students get hands on practice both giving and receiving hand signals.

21105FC: Operating a Crane. Describes the basic functions of a crane as well as standard procedure for starting up and shutting down a crane. Provides the student with the opportunity to become familiar with the actual operation of a crane and the functions of its controls.

21205FC: Computer/Operator Aids. Provides information on load moment indicators, ant-two-block devices, load indicators, and other operator aids that are installed on cranes. Includes an in-depth look at the input devices associated with these operator aids and the information they provided.

20017FC: Slings. This course offers the student an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of slings. Discusses a variety of slings, components and configurations and their applications within the mobile crane industry. Students get hands on practice using slings.

21204FC: Wire Rope. Covers the components of wire rope and inspection requirements and procedures for wire rope, load blocks, and sheaves. Explains proper installation of wire rope, maintenance guidelines and end terminations and preparations. Outside coursework is required.

21103FC: Rigging. This course offers the student an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of rigging. Discusses a variety of rigging gear, components and configurations and their applications within the mobile crane industry. Students get hands on practice rigging loads to be lifted.

21301FC: Load Charts. This class will discuss the importance of load charts and charts that apply to different configurations. Includes on-rubber, on-outrigger, jib, and deduction charts as well as range diagrams and operational notes. Covers parts of line and capacity calculations.

21303FC: Advanced Operational Techniques. Covers multi-crane lifts, critical lifts, blind lifts, and demolition. It also includes sections on how to use magnet and vacuum lifting.

21305FC: Hoisting Personnel. Discusses ASME B30.23 and 29 CFR 1926.550(g) requirements while presenting advanced operation techniques for hoisting personnel.

21304FC: Lift Planning. Gives an in-depth discussion of lift plan implementation. Includes reference information, calculations, single- and multiple- crane lifting, critical lifts, and engineering considerations.

21307FC: Emergency Procedures. Includes information on accident prevention and investigation, the hazards of power line contact, and various failures that may occur during lifting operations. ne skills and knowledge applicable to tower crane operation ator.

20018FC: Knots. This course offers the student an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of knots. Discusses a variety of knots and how to properly tie the knots and their applications within the mobile crane industry. Students get hands on practice tying knots. Outside coursework is required.

LAB041FC: Crane Operation and Maintenance. This lab is designed for the trainee to put into action what they have learned in the classroom. The trainee will perform several basic lifts with the rough terrain crane. They will move and set up the unit in a stable area. The trainee will also perform the necessary preventative maintenance required by this machine to keep it functioning properly. Upon completion of this lab, students will be able to: 1) correctly perform pre-operational checks and preventative maintenance on the rough terrain crane; 2) properly start and warm up the rough terrain crane; 3) perform basic operations with the rough terrain crane; 4) properly cool down and shut down the rough terrain crane; 5) perform proper post-operation preventative maintenance on the rough terrain crane.

Housing. Available but not required: $570 – double-occupancy.

Financial aid. Heavy Equipment Colleges of America does not participate in Title IV federal funding. HEC works with several sources of funding, including, but not limited to: Approved for VA Education; Vocational Rehabilitation; Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program; Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act; In-house financing; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Students may also pay cash; Other financing options for those who qualify. HEC does accept WIOA funds provided an agreement between the Agency and HEC can be reached.

Now is a great time to get your Certificate of Fixed Cab Crane Operation with Rigging and Signaling. Why? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for material moving machine operators, such as fixed cab crane operators, is projected to grow 1% from 2025-2035. That means thousands of new jobs will be open over the next decade. There’s no time like the present—get started on your training today.

Career services. The Institution's job placement service is available to assist graduates with finding employment. Students will undergo a job placement entrance interview/orientation with HEC. HEC will then begin contacting employers within the same geographical area as the students’ zip code, including those zip codes of out-of-state students, post job openings and assist the student in contacting prospective employers. Upon a student's successful completion of the program, the Institution will give each graduate a list of employers who have hired graduates or requested to be on the Institution's list. The Institution does not guarantee any of its graduates that they will become employed as a result of the training.

Training material. Required books and supplies are provided to students. A training book containing the program curriculum is checked-out to students upon enrollment and students return the training book at program completion.

Training environment. Training may take place in a variety of academic environments including but not limited to lecture, hands-on, field, site, and lab. Field training is structured where students are organized in groups.

Licensing. Heavy equipment operators are not required to have any state issued license in Oklahoma. Heavy Equipment Operators do not need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) prior to employment.