TCTC to offer Heavy Equipment Operator Classes

Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Division launched its first Heavy Equipment Operator class since partnering with Blanchard Machinery, the exclusive Caterpillar dealer for South Carolina. The first students are set to complete the courses and enter the job market this month. As the equipment technology in this industry improves, there is also a need for increased training, said Mary Corley, CCE’s highway construction program director.  “The control mechanisms on today’s equipment are completely different than on older versions –instead of steering wheels, many now use joysticks. However, as a result of the agreement between Blanchard Machinery and Tri-County, students receive training on the most technologically advanced equipment on the market to ensure that they receive the skills they need in today’s workforce.”  Students in the program learn equipment applications, attachments, operating controls, preventive maintenance requirements and basic operating techniques through a combination of classroom and hands-on training. Upon successful completion of the testing requirements for all modules, students receive NCCER certification in Core Curriculum and Level 1 Heavy Equipment Operations, as well as a 10-hour certification in OSHA Construction Standards. “Operator training and safety is priority number one,” says Mark Greene, vice president of Blanchard Machinery.  “By training students on current technology and equipment, they are better served to further their careers, meet the challenging demands of the marketplace and to support our customers in South Carolina.  We’re proud to partner with Tri-County Technical College and to contribute to the development of local students.” The Heavy Equipment training program was developed to meet the need in the highway and heavy construction industry as workforce growth in the area of construction has been experiencing some improvement.  Individuals completing the program will be able to serve multiple industry segments, such as industry construction, highway construction, general construction and complementary industries, such as aggregate mining and asphalt production.  According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the outlook for jobs operating construction equipment is bright with 24 percent growth predicted during the 2010 – 2020 decade.  For more details concerning these careers, go to www.onetonline.org. The Heavy Equipment Operator class is an open enrollment class. For more information, call (864) 646-1700 or online at www.tctc.edu/learn.