Tennessee, Action Plan for Implementation

Tennessee offers heavy equipment operator (HEO) training programs mainly through the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) system (hands-on, often short-term or certificate-based with safety and operation focus), community colleges (intensive workforce courses), union apprenticeships via International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) locals (earn-while-you-learn), and private providers. Programs cover machinery like dozers, excavators, backhoes, loaders, graders, and skid steers, frequently including OSHA safety, site layout, and entry-level skills for construction/infrastructure roles.

Apprenticeship Programs

Institution/Provider	Program/Courses Offered	Key Details	Website
IUOE Local 917 (East Tennessee, offices in Knoxville/Athens)	Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship	Multi-year earn-while-you-learn; hands-on at Joint Apprenticeship & Training Center; paid OJT with benefits; contact for applications	https://iuoe917.org/ or https://www.operatingengineerstraining.com/
IUOE Local 369 (West Tennessee/Memphis area)	Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship	Structured training for construction equipment operators; mentorship-focused	Check Go Build Tennessee or contact local for details

TCAT & Community College Programs

Institution/Provider	Program/Courses Offered	Key Details	Website
TCAT Elizabethton	Heavy Equipment Operator	Foundational skills: safety, pre/post-operation checks, site planning/layout, operations	https://tcatelizabethton.edu/programs/heavy-equipment-operator
TCAT Knoxville	Heavy Equipment Operator (with apprenticeship option)	Hands-on workforce course; simulators (e.g., Cat Simulators for dozer, excavator); apprenticeship added for extended training	https://tcatknoxville.edu/ (search programs/news)
TCAT Oneida/Huntsville	Earthmoving Equipment Operator	Classroom/shop/hands-on; safe operation of earthmoving equipment	https://tcatoneida.edu/programs/earthmoving-equipment-operator
Chattanooga State Community College	Heavy Equipment Operator Training	6-week intensive; job-ready skills focus	https://www.campusce.net/cscc/course/EventDetail.aspx?C=28 (or chattanoogastate.edu workforce)

Private Training Providers

Institution/Provider	Program/Courses Offered	Key Details	Website
Heavy Equipment College of Tennessee (Clarksville)	Heavy Equipment Operator Training	Hands-on certification programs	Check CareerOneStop or local listings (e.g., heavyequipmentcollege.edu campuses)
Performance Training Solutions (PTS)	Heavy Equipment Operator Training	Accelerated hands-on programs; serves Tennessee residents	https://www.ptsworks.com/areas-served/heavy-equipment-operator-school-tennessee
All Purpose Heavy Equipment Training	Hands-on Heavy Equipment Operator Training	OSHA-compliant; machine-specific/real-world jobsite; flexible scheduling; Knoxville area	https://allpurposeheavyequipmenttraining.com/locations/tn/heavy-equipment-training-knoxville-tn.php

Programs vary in cost (TCAT/community colleges often low tuition with possible aid/funding; apprenticeships paid; private higher but shorter/intensive), duration, and requirements (e.g., age 18+, driver’s license recommended for many). Some TCATs offer related Heavy Equipment Technology (maintenance-focused). Contact providers directly for current enrollment, funding (e.g., WIOA grants via Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development/TN Works), schedules, or applications, or check Go Build Tennessee for additional opportunities.