5660 County Rd 209 S Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 272-4000 or toll free (800) 488-7364

Excavator Course

Home > Excavator Course

National Training Schools offers focused training for individuals seeking excavator operation skills in Florida.

As a licensed heavy equipment operator school, National Training Schools offers individual two-week, equipment-specific courses to support different learning goals, including an excavator training course for students who want to specialize in digging, trenching, and site preparation. The Excavator Course provides structured instruction through classroom learning, simulator practice, and hands-on field training. These excavator training classes allow students to develop practical skills and gain experience operating excavators safely and effectively in real-world work environments.

CONTACT US
You’ve Got Options

Students may take the excavator operator course or choose to expand their skills later through broader heavy equipment training options in Jacks.

NCCER Registry Recognition

After successful completion of the Excavator Course, students receive a Certificate of Completion and entry into the NCCER Registry for Excavator Operation. This nationally recognized credential confirms that the excavator training meets established industry standards in Florida and is trusted by employers.

Start Working Sooner

The Excavator Course includes classroom instruction, simulator training, and hands-on lab experience. This focused two-week excavator training program provides students with real-world seat time and practical skills, helping them build confidence and prepare for work opportunities quickly.

CDL Driver Excavator Course

Explore Excavator Course

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.

Book a Campus or Virtual Tour

Heavy Equipment Training

Key Advantages

01
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.

02
Cost-Effective Training Options

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

03
Modern, Industry-Standard Equipment

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

04
Safety-Driven Instruction

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

05
Career & Job Placement Assistance

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

06
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

$

4,995

PER COURSE

Excavator 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.
BOOK NOW

COURSE BREAKDOWN AND CURRICULUM HOURS

2 WEEKS (80 HOURS)

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

Course ID Description Clock Hours
Orientation 1
RTL-1 Heavy Equipment Safety 8
RTL-2 Excavator Controls, Pre-Operation Inspection 2
RTL-3 Excavator Types, Uses and Components 2
RTL-4 Excavator Safety, Inspection and Service Guidelines 2
RTL-5 Basic Startup and Operating Procedures 2
RTL-6 Basic Maneuvers and Operations 2
RTL-7 Loading a Transport Unit 2
RTL-8 Low-bed Trailer 2
RTL-9 Excavator Simulator Training and Exercises 25
Job Placement Assistance 1
Class Graduation and Exit Interview 1
TOTAL CLASSROOM THEORY HOURS 50
Course ID Description Clock Hours
RTE-1 Heavy Equipment Safety – Performance Tasks 2
RTE-2 Prestart Inspection and Preventative Maintenance on an Excavator 4
RTE-3 Startup, Warm-up, and Shutdown Procedures 4
RTE-4 Excavator Basic Maneuvers 10
RTE-5 Excavator Operation 10
TOTAL HANDS ON EQUIPMENT PROJECTS & EXERCISES HOURS 30
TOTAL TRAINING HOURS 80
Heavy Now Catalog

Excavator Program Catalog

View or download the current Heavy Courses Catalog for curriculum details, training structure, and certificate information.

Excavator Course Catalog

DOWNLOAD

EXCAVATOR COURSE Schedule

80-Hour, Two-Week Training Course

Upcoming start and graduation dates: October 2026–October 2027. These classes run during the first two weeks of Heavy NOW. End dates shown below are graduation dates.

Start End
October 12, 2026 October 20, 2026
November 9, 2026 November 17, 2026
December 7, 2026 December 15, 2026
January 4, 2027 January 12, 2027
February 1, 2027 February 9, 2027
March 1, 2027 March 9, 2027
March 29, 2027 April 6, 2027
April 26, 2027 May 4, 2027
May 24, 2027 June 1, 2027
June 21, 2027 June 29, 2027
July 19, 2027 July 27, 2027
August 16, 2027 August 24, 2027
September 13, 2027 September 21, 2027
October 11, 2027 October 19, 2027

Gallery

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is the Excavator Course?
A. The Excavator Course is a focused excavator operator training program that teaches students how to safely and effectively operate excavators through classroom instruction, simulator practice, and hands-on training.
Q. How long does the Excavator Course take to complete?
A. The excavator training course is completed in approximately two weeks, providing concentrated instruction and practical operating experience.
Q. What certification do students receive after completing the course?
A. Students receive a Certificate of Completion and entry into the NCCER Registry for Excavator Operation, a nationally recognized credential valued by employers.
Q. Why Choose the Excavator Course?
A. This excavator operator course is well-suited for students who want to focus exclusively on excavator operation. Concentrated training allows students to build stronger technical skills, understand equipment controls, and follow proper safety procedures without dividing attention across multiple machines.

By focusing on excavator operation, students gain targeted experience that supports career paths involving excavation, trenching, and site development. This approach benefits individuals seeking specialized training through excavator operator training schools in Florida.
Read More