Our hands-on training takes place on a 40-acre site, where you’ll learn the essential skills needed to operate heavy machinery. You’ll get plenty of “seat time” (practice time) to build your confidence.
If you have already finished the Heavy Equipment Operator certificate program, you can return to learn how to use more machines. This helps you stand out to employers.
If you already work in the industry and need a ticket for a specific machine, we can support you with machine-only training.
As you gain more experience, you can continue adding more machines to your Certificate of Competency. Training for each machine is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact the HEO Program Assistant for specialized machine schedules and to register for the machine you want to learn.
Email HEO@viu.ca
Phone: 250.740.6227
(HEOE 101T) Excavator (8 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Trench & Backfill, V-Trench & Backfill, Road Building, Load Truck, Clean Out Ditches, Trim & Fill Slope, Trim & Cut Slope, Excavate Under-Buried Pipe, Culvert Installation, Culvert Removal, Land Clearing, Place Rip Rap, Road Deactivation, Mass Excavation & Backfill, Strip & Stockpile, Hoe Chucking.
(HEOB 101T) Backhoe (6 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Trench & Backfill, V-Trench & Backfill, Excavate Septic System & Backfill, Load Truck, Clean Out Ditches, Trim & Fill Slope, Trim & Cut Slope, Excavate Under-Buried Pipe, Culvert Installation, Culvert Removal, Place Rip Rap.
(HEOD 101T) Dozer (6 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Trim Slopes, Road Building, Land Clearing, Stripe & Stockpile, Doze Out Excavation/Backfill, Doze Fill to Place, Open a Cut (Pioneering), Pull Ditches.
(HEOG 101T) Grader (6 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Trim Slopes, Clean Out Ditches, Form & Handle a Windrow, Construct a Crowned Road, Road Maintenance.
(HEORL 101T) Articulated Rock Truck/Loader Combo (4 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Articulated Rock Truck Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Articulated Rock Truck Fundamentals, Load & Unload Machine, Orientation to Front End Loader Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Load Truck, Tram Stockpiled Material, Tram Bank Material, Build Road on Stockpile, Grade Area/Cut & Fill.
(HEOR 101T) Articulated Rock Truck (3 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Articulated Rock Truck Fundamentals, Load & Unload Machine.
(HEOF 101T) Front End Loader (3 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Load Truck, Tram Stockpiled Material, Tram Bank Material, Build Road on Stockpile, Grade Area/Cut & Fill.
(HEOK 101T) Skid Steer (Bobcat) (3 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Load & Unload Machine, Load Truck, Tram Stockpiled Material, Tram Bank Maintenance, Build Road on Stockpile, Grade Area/Cut & Fill, Construct/Clean Out Ditches.
(HEOT 101T) Dump Truck & Pup (1 to 2 weeks)
Course Competencies include: Orientation to Operators Manual, Walk around, Pre-Start/Shutdown, Operating Controls, Dump Truck & Pup Fundamentals
For additional information, or to register, contact the HEO Program Assistant at 250.740.6227 or HEO@viu.ca.