NUCA (National Utility Contractors Association) in partnership with NCCER offers heavy equipment operations training
The official release is not until Feburary of 2026. I will let you know after its release, the level of my involvement. In the mean time, let me know your interest in working with NUCA’s program.
The NUCA (National Utility Contractors Association) in partnership with NCCER offers heavy equipment operations training through accredited sponsors, chapters, and providers. This often involves customized selections from the NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations curriculum, tailored for utility construction needs (e.g., excavation, site work, and common equipment like tractors and forklifts).
A common example is the NCCER Heavy Equipment Operation Level One program delivered under NUCA/NCCER partnerships (e.g., via providers like Safety Training & Consulting). It totals approximately 93 hours of classroom and hands-on training and focuses on foundational skills.
Modules
- Orientation to the Trade Covers heavy equipment terminology, operator responsibilities, career opportunities, and basic principles.
- Heavy Equipment Safety Emphasizes comprehensive safety requirements, including OSHA guidelines, personal protection, and safe operations.
- Identification of Heavy Equipment Introduces common heavy equipment types, their uses, components, and systems.
- Basic Operation Techniques Includes prestart inspections, operating procedures, shutdown, and readiness for various equipment.
- Utility Tractors Focuses on operation, safety, attachments, and maintenance of general utility tractors in construction.
- Grades Introduces reading and staking grades, preparing surfaces, and basic grading operations.
- Vertical-Mast Sit Down Counterbalance Forklifts Covers safe operation, lifting, and use of conventional forklifts on jobsites.
Some NUCA chapters (e.g., Middle Tennessee’s Heavy Equipment Academy) offer extended programs (e.g., 6 weeks with simulators and field training) leading to NCCER credentials, OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and entry-level certifications in equipment like excavators and loaders. These build on NCCER Core and Level 1 elements but vary by location.
This training supports portable NCCER credentials and complies with industry standards. For the most current details, specific chapter offerings, or full curriculum (including potential Levels 2–3 modules like dozers, excavators, or loaders), contact NUCA at nuca.com or an accredited NCCER training sponsor.