NCCER Heavy Equipment Program – Recommended for Heavy Equipment Program Pathway

Core

00100 Build Your Future in Conmstruction
00101 Basic Safety
00102 Introduction to Construction Math
00103 Introduction to Hand Tools
00104 Introduction to Power Tools
00105 Introduction to Construction Drawings
00106 Introduction to Basic Rigging
00107 Basic Communications Skills
00108 Basic Employability Skills
00109 Introduction to Material Handling

Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 1, 4th Edition

22101 Introduction to Heavy Equipment
22103 Classification of Heavy Equip[ment
22102 Heavy Equipment Operations Safety
22108 Equipment Operations, Inspection, and Readiness
22201 Introduction to Earthmoving
22109 Introduction to GPS/GNSS
22105 Utility Tractors
22212 Skid Steers – Recommended for High Schools Construction Pathway Programs)

The NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations Level 1 (4th Edition, revised 2024) curriculum totals 185 hours (including 77.5 hours from the Core Curriculum) and includes the following modules in the Trainee Guide. These modules provide foundational knowledge in safety, equipment basics, earthmoving principles, and introductory operation of select equipment.

Modules:

Introduction to Heavy Equipment (Module ID 22101) — 5 hours Provides an overview of heavy equipment terminology, operations, operator responsibilities, career opportunities, and basic principles of safety.
Heavy Equipment Operation Safety (Module ID 22102) — 15 hours Provides a comprehensive overview of safety requirements on jobsites with emphasis on OSHA, MSHA, and NIOSH requirements. Presents basic requirements for personal protection, safe equipment operations and maintenance, excavations, and HAZCOM.
Classification of Heavy Equipment (Module ID 22103) — 5 hours Introduces the most used pieces of heavy equipment in construction and mining. Describes the functional operation and uses for each piece of equipment, along with a general description of heavy equipment drive and hydraulic systems.
Utility Tractors (Module ID 22105) — 17.5 hours Covers operation of general utility tractors in the construction industry. Describes duties and responsibilities of the operator, safety rules for operation, the attachment of implements, and basic preventive maintenance practices.
Equipment Inspection, Operation, and Readiness (Module ID 22108) — 25 hours Describes prestart inspection, operating, and shutdown procedures for heavy equipment. Covers engine systems and preoperational check procedures for hybrid and electrically powered equipment.
Introduction to GPS/GNSS (Module ID 22109) — 5 hours Describes types of equipment and GPS and laser instruments used in finish grading. Covers processes for site planning for use with GNSS and autonomous equipment utilizing GPS/GNSS.
Introduction to Earthmoving (Module ID 22201) — 12.5 hours Provides a broad introduction to the process of planning and executing earthmoving activities on various types of construction projects. Explains types of heavy equipment used in excavating and methods of stabilizing soils.
Skid Steers (Module ID 22212) — 22.5 hours Describes the many uses of skid steers and the attachments available for these machines. Covers safety practices, as well as inspection, startup, shutdown, and operation of skid steers.

This structure supports introductory credentials and paths like skid steers and utility tractors. The curriculum complies with U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards and includes downloadable instructor resources. For full details or purchasing, refer to official NCCER or Pearson sources.

Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 2, 4th Edition

22207 Excavation Math
22209 Interpreting Civil Drawings
22308 Soils
22210 Site Work
22106 Grad3es aned Grading
22303 Backhoes – Recommedded for High Schools Construction Pathway Programs
22205 Loaders
22302 Dozers
22304 Excavators

The NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations Level 2 (4th Edition, revised 2024) curriculum totals 200 hours and includes the following modules in the Trainee Guide. These modules build on Level 1 foundations, emphasizing site preparation, excavation math, soils, grading, and intermediate operation of key equipment.

Modules:

Excavation Math (Module ID 22207) — 7.5 hours Covers basic math skills for site excavation, including calculations for areas, volumes, geometric shapes, and cut/fill requirements.
Interpreting Civil Drawings (Module ID 22209) — 20 hours Explains how to read site plans and civil drawings to calculate cut and fill needs, with practice in interpreting roadway and construction site drawings for excavation and grading.
Soils (Module ID 22308) — 10 hours Describes soil classification systems, shrink/swell factors, equipment selection impacts, soil conditions affecting performance, and techniques for working with different soils.
Site Work (Module ID 22210) — 25 hours Expands on Level 1 topics related to grade stakes, plus controlling surface/groundwater on jobsites, foundation layout, and pipe laying.
Grades and Grading (Module ID 22106) — 15 hours Introduces preparing graded surfaces with heavy equipment, including identifying/interpreting construction stakes and grading slopes.
Backhoes (Module ID 22303) — 30 hours Covers common uses, types, components, controls, attachments, safety, inspections, maintenance, startup/shutdown, and work activities (e.g., trenching, loading).
Loaders (Module ID 22205) — 17.5 hours Describes wheel and track loaders, including uses, safety, maintenance, operating procedures, and applications in excavation, grading, and demolition.
Dozers (Module ID 22302) — 30 hours Identifies types, uses, components, safety, inspections, maintenance, startup/shutdown, and common tasks like pushing, spreading, and rough grading.
Excavators (Module ID 22304) — 35 hours Covers types, uses, components, safety, inspections, maintenance, startup/shutdown, and activities such as trenching, mass excavation, and lifting.

This structure supports credentials in paths like dozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. The curriculum complies with U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards and includes downloadable instructor resources. For full details or purchasing, refer to official NCCER or Pearson sources.

Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 3, 4th Edition

22206 Rough Terrain Forklifts
22107 Conventional Forklifts
22203 Compaction Equipment
22204 Scrapers
22311 Dump Trucks
22305 Motor Graders

The NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations Level 3 (4th Edition, revised 2024) curriculum totals 145 hours and includes the following modules in the Trainee Guide. These modules cover advanced operations for various equipment types, building on Levels 1 and 2.

Modules:

Rough Terrain Forklifts (Module ID 22206) — 25 hours Covers uses on construction sites, including lifting, transporting, and placing loads, plus safety, operation, and maintenance.
Conventional Forklifts (Module ID 22107) — 10 hours Focuses on vertical-mast sit-down counterbalance forklifts, including operator duties, safety rules, and indoor/outdoor operation.
Compaction Equipment (Module ID 22203) — 25 hours Covers types of compaction equipment (e.g., rollers), controls, attachments, safety, inspections, maintenance, and operating procedures.
Scrapers (Module ID 22204) — 20 hours Describes scraper types for site preparation, safe practices, inspections, maintenance, and operating techniques.
Dump Trucks (Module ID 22311) — 25 hours Covers on-road and off-road dump trucks, including instruments, controls, inspections, maintenance, safe driving, and startup/shutdown.
Motor Graders (Module ID 22305) — 40 hours Includes types, uses, safety, inspections, maintenance, startup, operation, and common grading activities.

This structure supports credentials in paths like compaction equipment, dump trucks, motor graders, and forklifts. The curriculum complies with U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards and pairs with downloadable instructor resources. For full details or purchasing, refer to official NCCER or Pearson sources.