Heavy Equipment Operator is a Certificate program offered by Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton in Johnson City, TN. Tuition is $2,892 total.
Program Overview
About
The Heavy Equipment Operator program covers the foundational skills of safety, pre- and post-operation checks, site planning and layout, and operations for a range of light-duty and heavy equipment. Heavy Equipment Operations supports multiple unique training pathways and credentials for Utility Tractors, Forklift, Loader, Dozer, Motor Graders, and more.
The program mission is to provide technical instruction and skill development to produce well-trained entry-level heavy equipment operators who can transition into gainful employment in their respective fields upon completion of the vocational training objectives.
This program provides students with the skills necessary for heavy equipment operation. In this program students will learn the following: core craft skills, orientation to the trade, heavy equipment safety, identification of heavy equipment, basic operational techniques, utility tractors, introduction to earthmoving, and interpreting civil drawings. During the program students will operate a variety of mobile off-road equipment in a simulated environment to perform exercises on excavator and wheel loader equipment. Simulator exercises include basic controls, loading, and unloading, excavating, and trenching.
Admission Requirements and Process
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Educational and admission requirements vary from program to program.
Special Enrollment Requirements
Students must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, possess a valid Tennessee driver's license, provide proof of Tennessee residency, obtain a current DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (Medical Card), submit a 10-year Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), and obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) prior to admission into the program. Dual enrollment is not available for this program.
Special Requirements
High School Diploma or GED & Recent TB Skin Test or Chest X-Ray (prior to field training.)
General Requirements
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Before applying for the program; you must pass the HESI exam, provide previous passing HESI exam results (within the past two years), possess an associates degree or greater, or be a recent graduate with an ACT score of 19 or greater with in the last year.
- HESI tests cost $50 per attempt, you may attempt it up to 3 times, and it is non-refundable.
- Once enrolled, nursing students must maintain an 80 or above average in all classes.
Clinical Requirements
- Physical examination
- Immunizations
- MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Pass drug screen
- Criminal background check
- Malpractice insurance
- CPR and AED certification from American Heart Association for Health Care Providers
- At least 18 years of age
Certified Nursing Assistant
Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant topics and 36 hours of long-term care clinical, the student will receive a Nursing Assistant certificate. The student will then be able to challenge the Tennessee Department of Health (pdf application form is shown below) to sit for a Certified Nursing Certification. Successful completion is obtaining an 80 or above in all Nursing Assistant content.
Admission Requirements
Students must be at least 18 years old and not attending public school. However high school students may attend through dual enrollment provided it is approved by their school counselor, the local school administrator and the College of Applied Technology president.
General Requirements
- Program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis by date of completed application. (A completed application includes all items required for enrollment.)
- Persons seeking admission to a college must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent. For full-time programs, the applicant must declare an…
- All persons who are required to register for the Federal Draft under 50 U.S.C. App. Section 453 are not eligible to enroll in any post-secondary school until they have registered…
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- HESI tests cost $50 per attempt, you may attempt it up to 3 times, and it is non-refundable.
- Once enrolled, nursing students must maintain an 80 or above average in all classes.
- Physical examination
- MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Pass drug screen
- Criminal background check
- Malpractice insurance
- CPR and AED certification from American Heart Association for Health Care Providers
- At least 18 years of age
Application Process
- 1Submit ApplicationComplete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.
- 2Submit TranscriptsProvide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
- 3Financial AidComplete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.Complete FAFSA Application
- 4EnrollmentOnce accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.
School Information
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The tuition rates table below includes only tuition and fees for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) day programs.
Note: Most Tennessee residents age 18 or older are eligible for up to $2,000 each year through the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program if they are enrolled full-time at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Visit the Financial Aid page for more information.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Fee Schedule*
| Trimester Hours | Maintenance Fee | Student Access Fee | Technology Access Fee | Trimester Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-40 | $225 | $10 | $52 | $287 |
| 41-80 | $304 | $10 | $52 | $366 |
| 81-135 | $459 | $10 | $52 | $521 |
| 136-217 | $800 | $10 | $85 | $895 |
| 218-340 | $1293 | $10 | $85 | $1388 |
| 341-432 | $1446 | $10 | $85 | $1541 |
Special Academic Fees
| Program | Cost Per Trimester |
|---|---|
| Diesel Powered Equipment | $50 |
| Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | $100 |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | $50 |
| Practical Nursing | $100 |
| Truck Driving | $300 |
| Welding Technology | $100 |
Cost per Contact Hour (for DoD Memorandum of Understanding purposes only): $3.35
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology that participate in the DoD Memorandum of Understanding may accept Federal Tuition Assistance for qualified applicants.
Curriculum
About
The Heavy Equipment Operator program covers the foundational skills of safety, pre- and post-operation checks, site planning and layout, and operations for a range of light-duty and heavy equipment. Heavy Equipment Operations supports multiple unique training pathways and credentials for Utility Tractors, Forklift, Loader, Dozer, Motor Graders, and more.
This program provides students with the skills necessary for heavy equipment operation. In this program students will learn the following: core craft skills, orientation to the trade, heavy equipment safety, identification of heavy equipment, basic operational techniques, utility tractors, introduction to earthmoving, and interpreting civil drawings. During the program students will operate a variety of mobile off-road equipment in a simulated environment to perform exercises on excavator and wheel loader equipment. Simulator exercises include basic controls, loading, and unloading, excavating, and trenching.
Program Credentials
| Option Name | Hours | Credentials |
|---|---|---|
| Operator Junior Apprentice | 432 | Certificate |
| Operator Apprentice | 864 | Certificate |
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
School Information
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide