Pathway to Heavy Equipment Operation Jobs

Construction equipment operators use heavy machinery to move materials on job sites and assist in many other capacities with building structures. Successful construction equipment operators should be licensed and trained using the specific equipment your job requires. In most states, this is a legal requirement and will also ensure your job sites remain safe.

Pathway Steps

1 - Introduction to Construction and 2 - Heavy Equipment Basics

The first step towards employment as a heavy equipment operator is to learn the basics of the construction and mining industries and of heavy equipment operation. This includes understanding skill requirements, project and job site activities, safety requirements, and other processes. This may take up to 130-240 hours of classroom or training time, over a 2-to-6-week period.

Training locations vary, the cost is in the range of $5,000 - $10,000, typically not including room and board. Financial assistance resources may be available; visit the Resources page and explore available loans, grants, and other resources available to help cover these training costs.

Organizations offering this training within the state of Alaska include:

• Organization 1 (URL and short description)

• Organization 2 (URL and short description)

• Organization 3 (URL and short description)

3 - On the Job Experience

On the job (OJT) experience is a critical step in this pathway. Upon completing introductory training in the steps described above, initial employment to gain experience is recommended. This experience can be gained on seasonal jobs across the state. The duration and location of the jobs vary based on the project.

Learn more about seasonal construction jobs here (provide one or more URLs)

4 - Advanced Training

Some training institutions and programs offer advanced training, specializing in the use and operation of specific types of heavy equipment. Learn more about the types of advanced training here. (need to add a bit more description here).

5 - Qualification

Certificates are issued by advanced training institutions. Apprenticeships and journeyman status are issued by the union.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum requirements for apprenticeships at Alaska Construction Academies include the following: (https://www.alaskaworks.org/alaska-construction-academies/):

• 18 or older

• Valid government-issued ID or driver’s license

• Copy of birth certificate

• High school diploma or GED and transcripts

• Copy of social security card

• Copy of WorkKeys test scores (4 and higher) (note we should add a summary description of WorkKeys, what value is provides for career readiness, and how to prepare and take WorkKeys assessments, here on the Alaska Pathways portal)