5660 County Rd 209 S Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

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.

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CDL Driver 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 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.

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Is a Career as a Heavy Equipment Operator Right for You?

Take the National Training Schools’ Heavy Equipment Operator Career Training Readiness Quiz.

This quick and fun online quiz takes just 3 minutes. You’ll receive a personalized report that highlights your strengths, social style, and the training and roles that suit you best.

Get your Heavy Equipment Operator Career Training Readiness Score today.

Heavy Equipment Training

Key Advantages

01
Certified, 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

$

14,995

PER COURSE

HEAVY NOW TRAINING PROGRAM

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

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 Catalog

NCEER

After completing National Training’s Heavy Now Course, students receive a Certificate of Completion, NCCER Registry entry, and can access full program, curriculum, and certification details in the Heavy Now Program Catalog.

Heavy Now Program Catalog

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Heavy NOW! Course Schedule Schedule

TRAINING SCHEDULE 208 HOUR | 4 WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM

Upcoming Starting and Ending dates for Heavy NOW training are shown below

Start End
January 6, 2025 January 31, 2025
February 3, 2025 February 28, 2025
March 3, 2025 March 28, 2025
March 31, 2025 April 25, 2025
April 28, 2025 May 23, 2025
May 27, 2025 June 20, 2025
June 23, 2025 July 18, 2025
July 21, 2025 August 15, 2025

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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.