Florida is traditionally known for its part-time snowbird residents or as a retiree haven so it would make sense that a lot of the construction is on the residential side. Of course Florida has a bustling commercial development as well so not only are the businesses needed, but also hotels and lodging. Florida saw a 4.0% rise in heavy equipment operator employment in May 2015 but the mean salary was quite low at $36,320. As of 2017 that number had risen a bit, especially in larger cities such as Boca Raton ($60,285) and Miami ($60,066).
Local 487 H&P Heavy Equipment Operator Training School
IUOE Local 487
1425 NW 36th St.
Miami, FL 33142
(954) 434-8309
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.iuoe487.org
The Local 87 H&P Heavy Equipment Operator Training School in Miami, Florida offers a three-year nationally recognized training program for adults who are looking to advance their knowledge of heavy equipment and land a career in construction.
The main courses highlight the use of heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, cranes, front-end loaders, forklifts, excavators, concrete pumps, and more. There are also opportunities to take operator engineering courses, which teach students about pursuing a career path as a mechanic, oiler, operator, fuel truck driver, rigger, signal person, and more. This training program offers over 300 hours of on the job training, and grants certification to all who pass the course.
Heavy Equipment Operator School
Heavy Equipment Operator School
188 College Drive
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 272-4000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.operator-school.com
Heavy Equipment Operator School is privately funded as a part of National Training, Inc., and is located in Orange Park, Florida. This school offers a series of certified programs to aid young adults in getting a head start in construction, which is the largest service industry in the United States.
Throughout the duration of the courses, students will learn the day-to-day operations of all construction utilities, focusing on heavy equipment as well as smaller construction duties. Students will gain over 136 hours of hands-on experience with loaders, backhoes, dozers, excavators, graders, and more. They will be tested in site work and heavy equipment safety, highlighting the details of each certification.
ITC Industrial Training Center
ITC Industrial Training Center
4281 NW 167 Street
Miami, Florida 33055
(305) 624-0199
Website: http://itc.sotralentz.com
The ITC Industrial Training Center offers certification courses in the operation of heavy equipment, which is mandatory for entry into the construction industry. This privately funded program specializes in the operation of heavy equipment such as a backhoe and a skid steer.
There is both corporate training and individual training available, with a heavy emphasis on forklifts, trucks, and other OSHA-required machines. The courses will begin with a lecture, moving on to hands-on practice and an exam at the end to make sure each individual becomes certified in the machines they are willing to operate. The course covers additional mandatory safety measures such as dock safety, propane cylinder exchange, battery maintenance, and more.
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College
5780 N.W. 158th Street
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(305) 995-1000 or (305) 624-9613 or (305) 557-1100
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://miamilakes.edu/
Specializing in heavy equipment operations, the Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College offers day and evening classes at a multi-faceted educational complex for students who are interested in joining the heavy equipment operations industry. The program offers technical skill training for students who are interested in ditching, sloping, digging, grading, backfilling, maintenance, and more.
Hands-on experience of motor graders, skid steers, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, bulldozers, and forklifts are available as part of the program’s content. Students will gain employability value and will become certified and approved for an established career.
Florida Panhandle Technical College
Florida Panhandle Technical College
757 Hoyt Street
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-1180
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.fptc.edu/
The Florida Panhandle Technical College is a funded college in Chipley, Florida, that provides year-long training courses for full certification in the construction industry. The promise of the FPTC is “Career in a Year”, offering over 1200 hours of training and occupational certification preparation.
Students who attend the heavy equipment operator program will become experts in the operation of such equipment as bulldozers, scrapers, motor graders, pumps, tractors, compressors, shovels, front-end loaders, excavators, and much more. Other duties include maintenance, repair, and an extensive knowledge of safety precautions. Crane and tower operator training is also available for those who are interested in enrolling in this year-long college course.
Miami Dade Technical College
Miami Dade Technical College
5780 NW 158 Street
Miami Lakes, Florida 33014
(305) 558-8000
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.miamidadetechnicalcolleges.com/
The Miami Dade Technical College offers a full-length college course to any who are interested in enrolling in a school designed for entry into the construction industry. Training involves hands-on practice with heavy machinery, with focuses on skid steers, backhoe loaders, CB-24 double rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, water trucks, dump trucks, and motor graders.
When students complete the course, they will be certified and up to date on all of the Heavy Equipment Operator’s rules and regulations. Their certifications will last for five years, allowing them to get a jumpstart in an advanced career in the construction industry. High quality equipment is provided at the facility for the best training results.
State College of Florida
State College of Florida Forklift and Heavy Equipment Training
5840 26th St. W
Bradenton, FL 34207
(888) 360-8764 or (941) 752-5290
Website: http://www.scf.edu/
The State College of Florida in Bradenton offers a Forklift and Heavy Equipment training program for all interested students. Those who wish to enroll in a college course can complete the training for certification and credit towards a career in the construction industry. The course is meant to provide basic knowledge, working its way up to an advanced understanding of the safety and mechanics of each device.
The program offers training in boom trucks, aerial lifts, dump trucks, electric pallet jacks, excavators, front-end loaders, backhoes, and cranes. There is also safety and awareness training for working in small spaces, avoiding pathogens, and staying healthy in the construction zone.