Road Building And Heavy Construction

Our 12-week program sets you up to earn an apprenticeship as a Heavy Equipment Operator Technician, under guidelines set by the BC Industry Training Authority.

Program Structure

The Road Building and Heavy Construction program is made up of 3 courses that run one after another – Road Building Foundation, Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) and Specialized Equipment.

Students may choose to complete the 3-week Foundation course only. These students will be permitted to return for further training at a later date.

Job Description

Heavy Equipment Operator technicians operate heavy machinery such as heavy articulating rock trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes, dozers and graders.

These machines are used universally for all manner of heavy construction, including earth moving, road building, mining and forestry.

Technicians may also be responsible for the basic maintenance of equipment, safety around equipment and the compliance of markers, grades and stakes.

Why would you want to enroll in this program?

Over the next 5 years, BC will experience a shortage of approximately 2,670 heavy equipment operators, or an average of 534 openings per year.

With the possible introduction of additional major projects, these numbers may increase. The IUOE Training Association heavy equipment training school is one of the best in all of Canada in terms of equipment and quality of instruction.

Program Overview

ITA Road Building and Heavy Construction Foundation Course (3 weeks) This three-week course is the entry route into the road building and heavy construction industry.

It provides a valuable overview of career opportunities, safety practices, an orientation to job site operations, equipment, tools, operations and maintenance as well as a fundamental introduction to civil engineering. Students earn credentials including Level 1 First Aid, Traffic Control Person and WHMIS.

For new apprentices, this program is a prerequisite for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operator Technician (HEO) program. Some students who are experienced operators may be allowed to proceed directly to the HEO program.

Course highlights:

• Industry Orientation (focuses on safety)

• Civil Engineering Principles

• Tools, Equipment, Operations and Maintenance

• Worksite Preparation

Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Technician Course (4 weeks)

This module provides further apprenticeship training as designated by the Industry Training Authority. It combines two weeks of in-class theory instruction covering the following six pieces of heavy equipment: articulating rock truck (ART), backhoe, dozer, excavator, grader and loader.

This is followed by two weeks of practical equipment lab training on four pieces of heavy equipment: ART, dozer, excavator and loader.

The course reviews important information regarding:  heavy equipment safety, types and operation, equipment inspections, systems, equipment maintenance cycles, work planning, transportation of the equipment, interpretations of grades and stakes, environmental protection, aggregates and drainage, and erosion control.

Featured equipment:

• Excavator

• Articulating Loader

• Dozer

• Backhoe

• Articulating Haul Truck

IUOETA Heavy Construction Training Course (5 weeks)

The final five weeks focus on practical skills, rotating through the following pieces of heavy equipment – ART, Backhoe, Dozer, Excavator or Loader. Apprentices will have the opportunity to specialize their practical experience on one or more machines.

This module allows students to develop those skills that employers in the road building industry are looking for, including:

• Grades and Stakes

• Heavy Equipment Operating Techniques

Course Outline

Weeks 1 – 3:

• Orientation

• Health and Safety

• Environmental Requirements

• Hand and power tools

• Ladders and scaffold

• Rigging and material handling

• Basic heavy equipment operation and maintenance

• Surveying

• Drainage

• Soil Mechanics and geology

• Aggregates, asphalt pavement, concrete

Weeks 4 – 7

• Heavy Equipment Types and Operations

• Heavy Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

• Diesel Engines and Hydraulic Systems

• Work Procedures and Planning

• Interpretation of Grades and Stakes

• Transportation of Equipment

• Environmental Protection

• Aggregates and Compaction

• Drainage and Erosion Control

• Equipment Maintenance Cycles

• Basic Operation of Each Type of Heavy Equipment

Weeks 8 – 12

• Communications / Human Relations

• Practical (Field) Training

• Operating Techniques

• Safety

• Hydraulics

• Grades and Stakes

• Site Inspection

• Regulations

• Rigging

• Environmental Concerns

• Machines and Attachments

• Service and Preventative Maintenance

Pre-Requisites

Program admission requirements are as follows:

• Minimum 70% on the IUOETA Trades Assessment

• Valid Drivers licence

• Minimum Grade 10 recommended

Level of Competency

Upon program completion, participants will receive:

• An ITA Certificate of Qualification, with additional endorsements for each of the following:

  • Air Brake

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training

  • Confined Spaces

  • Traffic Control

  • First Aid Level 1

  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods

  • Ground Disturbance

  • Telehandler

  • H2S Alive

  • WHMIS

Application  Process

A representative from the Training Association will contact you. After that, you may receive a full Application for Training package. You will be required to submit a completed application along with a resume, references and a BC driver’s abstract.

Successful completion (70%) of the OETA Trade Assessment Examination is required for course entry. Examination subject areas are:

• Math Foundations

• Industry Related Problems

• Problem Sets

Qualified applicant files will be forwarded to a selection committee. Successful applicants will be assigned to the class upon confirmation of their ability to attend.

Evaluation

Students who complete our course will write theory examinations and will also be assessed on job performance standards. Punctuality, attendance and attitude will also be considered in determining the final course grade. Students must attain marks of 70% or more (criteria established according to standards) for theory and practical assessments.

Wallet cards and certificates of completion will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.