Pre-Employment Programs

Heavy Equipment Operator

NOC-7521

THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY OFFERED IN FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES THAT PURCHASE IT. WATCH FOR NOTICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR NOTICES REGARDING SEAT AVAILABILITY.

Program Description

This introductory program provides training in the operation of heavy equipment, routine maintenance of machinery and practical field operations of excavating, land clearing, grading and road building as well as safe operating techniques specific to each machine. On successful completion of the program, students will be well equipped with skills applicable to a broad variety of careers, and life essential skills.

Acceptance Policy

Students are selected by the community that purchases the program.

English Language Benchmark

SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.

To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).

Courses

• HEOS 100 Safety Certification
• HEOO 110 HEO Fundamentals
• HEOC 120 Crawler Operation
• HEOL 130 Loader Operation
• HEOM 140 Motor Scraper Operation
• HEOG 150 Grader Operation
• HEOX 160 Excavator Operation
• HEOH 170 Back-Hoe Operation
• HEOB 180 Skid-Steer Operation
• HEOR 190 Rock Truck Operation

Tuition, Fees, and Funding

Students can expect to pay little to no tuition or fees to participate in this program. Your local labour force development worker will assess your eligibility for funding when you apply.

What to Expect

Day to Day

Delivery Method

In this program, students can expect:

• 6 to 10 weeks full-time/30 to 50 days (minimum 180 hours).
• This program will consist of instructor-led classes which will encompass the theory of each course, and will include lectures, discussions, assignments, and in-class review topics.

Personal Protective Equipment needed for shop training and employment is provided by SIIT.

Any work-related safety tickets will be included. These vary according to each trade.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate. For Heavy Equipment Operator students, an attendance rate of 90% or better is required to graduate.

If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.

Graduation Requirements and Credential

You must maintain an attendance of 90% to graduate. The assessment method for this course is pass/ fail and students are required to pass all courses. Graduates will receive a Heavy Equipment Operator Applied Certificate.

Career Path

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Graduates of this program can expect to find employment as a heavy equipment or pipeline equipment operator in a variety of settings. Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies.

In Saskatchewan, the average annual salary of heavy equipment operators is $72,700 and these workers are in high demand (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information).

For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre. or your local Labour Development Office.

Apprenticeship Opportunities and Licensing Requirements

To graduate from each level of an apprenticeship program, an apprentice must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1800 hours each year. Total trade time required is 7200 hours and at least 4 years in the trade.

Upon completion of their apprenticeship and required industry experience, apprentices may write the Interprovincial Journeyperson Examination and obtain a Red Seal.

In Saskatchewan, graduates who indenture can earn trade time credit toward a pipeline equipment operator apprenticeship. 

Support for apprentices is available through SIIT’s Joint Training Committee (JTC). The SIIT Joint Training Committee (JTC) has been building careers in skilled trades since 1998! The JTC supports qualified Indigenous individuals to enter the trades as apprentices, complete trade levels, and become Journeypersons. Indenture Fees are paid by the JTC. Services are available province wide.