How to Learn Heavy Equipment Operation

Heavy equipment operation can be quite dangerous in many situations. The basic skills to do excavating work can be learned from a skilled operator, but that operator will tell you it took them many years to know all they do. Many variables are present in different settings, so you can expect it to be a hands-on learning process as much as a classroom process.

Heavy Equipment Operator Schools

• Schools for heavy equipment operation are not as plentiful as colleges, technical schools and even truck driving schools. But, they are out there. Depending on what you are interested in operating, such as a crane, you may or may not need to get certified. If you want to drive a dump truck, you only need to get your Class B Commercial Driver's License. No education is required to drive dump truck, but you need to go with an experienced driver many times to gain knowledge. Getting your Class A Truck Driver's License does not require any special education, but the education helps with landing the job and is completed in a matter of weeks.


• Getting educated to operate a crane does require education and certification. Training involves classroom and "in the seat" training. Upon completion, the trainee must pass the theory and practice exams and know how to operate various types of cranes and booms.

Learning on the Job

A certification or license is not always required. For example, backhoe operators are not required to have a certification or license. They have learned through working for/being trained by someone. If the operator also needs to move the equipment from job to job, he or she is required to at least have a commercial license, however.