Heavy Now

TRAIN TO BECOME A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR IN THE FAST-GROWING INDUSTRY

The Heavy Now program at National Training Schools is designed for individuals seeking hands-on training to begin a career as a heavy equipment operator. This focused heavy equipment training program provides the skills and knowledge needed to operate essential construction machinery safely and effectively in a professional work environment.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical field training, students gain real-world experience operating heavy machinery in just four weeks. The program emphasizes safety, equipment operation, and industry-recognized procedures to prepare graduates for entry-level roles across multiple sectors, including construction, forestry, mining, and infrastructure development.

Heavy Now

Construction remains one of the largest and fastest-growing service industries in the United States. Skilled heavy equipment operator graduates play a critical role in building roads, bridges, dams, utilities, and infrastructure projects that support communities nationwide. This construction equipment operator training program prepares students to contribute to these essential projects with confidence.

As a licensed heavy equipment operator school, National Training Schools delivers this heavy equipment operator training at a 350-acre training complex that allows students to practice in realistic conditions. With experienced instructors, a structured curriculum, and individualized instruction, the Heavy Now program supports students as they develop the technical skills employers expect from trained heavy equipment operators.

The program prepares students for careers as skilled heavy equipment operators by focusing on practical operation, safety awareness, and job-ready techniques. Graduates may find employment in construction, mining, land development, conservation, landscaping, reclamation, logging, and pipeline projects. These careers provide diverse job settings, stable employment prospects, competitive benefits, and consistent compensation.

Upon successful completion of the Heavy Now course, students receive a National Training Certificate of Completion and are entered into the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Registry for articulated loader, bulldozer, excavator, and tractor loader backhoe operations. This heavy equipment operator certification in Florida is recognized by employers nationwide and helps validate a graduate’s training and skills.

Individual Heavy Equipment Courses

National Training Schools recognizes that some students prefer focused training on specific types of equipment. For this reason, the school offers individual two-week heavy equipment courses designed to concentrate on a single machine. Students may choose from four heavy equipment options: bulldozer, articulated loader, excavator, or tractor loader backhoe. Each course includes a combination of classroom instruction, simulator practice, and hands-on field training to provide practical experience specific to the selected equipment. These heavy equipment courses allow students to build targeted operational skills in a structured training environment.

Explore Heavy Now

Speak with Admissions about program requirements, tuition, and upcoming class dates. Visit our Green Cove Springs campus or request a virtual tour to learn about the training.

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Heavy Equipment Training

Key Advantages

Trained, Industry-Experienced Instructors

Train with seasoned heavy equipment professionals who bring real-world jobsite experience into every lesson, focusing on safe, efficient equipment operation.

Cost-Effective Training Options

Practical programs with competitive pricing and flexible payment options—designed to deliver strong value without cutting corners on training quality.

Modern, Industry-Standard Equipment

Hands-on training using real construction and earthmoving equipment, including loaders, excavators, bulldozers, and articulated machinery—no simulators-only programs.

Safety-Driven Instruction

Every course emphasizes equipment inspections, site awareness, load control, and accident prevention to prepare students for real jobsite conditions.

Career & Job Placement Assistance

Graduates receive ongoing support connecting with construction, utility, mining, and infrastructure employers seeking qualified heavy equipment operators.

Flexible, Time-Efficient Training Options

Weekday training schedules are designed for consistency and structure, with individual 80-hour course options available to help students complete training efficiently around work and personal time constraints.

POPULAR

14,995

PER COURSE

Start your heavy equipment career with hands-on, NCCER-accredited training.

Administration Fee (Non-Refundable) $100

Note: This administration fee is used to offset investigative costs associated with application review, criminal background check, driving record analysis, credit report, etc.

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Course Breakdown and Curriculum Hours

4 weeks (208 Hours)

“L” indicates lesson. Lessons are numbered sequentially. | RTE = Resident Training Exercises | RTL = Resident Training Classroom Lessons

Course ID	Description	Clock Hours
	Orientation	2
RTL-1	Introduction to Earthmoving	3.5
RTL-2	Loaders	6
RTL-3	Backhoes	8
RTL-4	Dozers	8
RTL-5	Excavators	8
RTL-6	Heavy Equipment Safety	7.5
RTL-7	Grades, Part 1	10
RTL-8	Site Work	14
	Job Placement Assistance	4
	Class Graduation and Exit Interview	1
	TOTAL CLASSROOM THEORY HOURS	72

Course ID	Description	Clock Hours
RTE-1	Loaders Performance Tasks	18
RTE-2	Backhoes Performance Tasks	34
RTE-3	Dozers Performance Tasks	34
RTE-4	Excavators Performance Tasks	34
RTE-5	Heavy Equipment Safety Performance Tasks	2
RTE-6	Grades, Part 1 Performance Tasks	6
RTE-7	Site Work Performance Tasks	8
	TOTAL HANDS ON EQUIPMENT PROJECTS & EXERCISES HOURS	136

Heavy NOW! Course Schedule

TRAINING SCHEDULE 208-HOUR | 4-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM

Upcoming start and graduation dates: October 2026–October 2027. End dates shown below are graduation dates.

Start	End
October 12, 2026	November 6, 2026
November 9, 2026	December 4, 2026
December 7, 2026	December 31, 2026
January 4, 2027	January 29, 2027
February 1, 2027	February 26, 2027
March 1, 2027	March 26, 2027
March 29, 2027	April 23, 2027
April 26, 2027	May 21, 2027
May 24, 2027	June 18, 2027
June 21, 2027	July 16, 2027
July 19, 2027	August 13, 2027
August 16, 2027	September 10, 2027
September 13, 2027	October 8, 2027
October 11, 2027	November 5, 2027

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is the Heavy Now program?

A. The Heavy Now program is a heavy equipment operator training program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in industries such as construction, forestry, mining, and infrastructure development. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training to teach safe and effective operation of heavy equipment.

Q. How long does it take to complete the Heavy Now training program?

A. The Heavy Now program can be completed in approximately four weeks. During this time, students receive practical training and instruction focused on equipment operation, safety procedures, and real-world job requirements.

Q. What certification do students receive after completing Heavy Now?

A. After successful completion of the Heavy Now course in Florida, students receive a Certificate of Completion and are entered into the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Registry for articulated loader, bulldozer, excavator, and tractor loader backhoe. This certification is recognized by employers nationwide.

Q. What types of careers can Heavy Now graduates pursue?

A. Graduates of the Heavy Now heavy equipment operator training program may pursue careers in construction, mining, land development, conservation, landscaping, logging, reclamation, and pipeline-related projects. These roles support infrastructure development and essential industry operations.