Are you approved for the training of veterans?

Yes, most of National’s training programs are approved for the training of veterans, including all of the Heavy Equipment Operator Programs. If you are eligible to receive GI Bill® benefits, you can use them to pay for your course. For more details, visit our website page on this by clicking here.

How do I enroll in a HEOS course and apply for Veterans Benefits?

Individuals who want to use their VA or GI Bill® entitlement must enroll in an eligible course, provide a copy of their DD-214, and complete the VA 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits). NTI will then submit your application for benefit payment.

Can WIOA help pay for heavy equipment training?

WIOA funding may help pay for approved heavy equipment training programs for eligible students. Funding approval, covered costs, and payment authorization are determined by the local CareerSource center or workforce agency.

Does National Training, Inc. approve WIOA funding?

No. National Training, Inc. does not determine WIOA eligibility or approve funding. Eligibility and funding approval are handled by the applicable CareerSource center or workforce agency.

Is WIOA funding guaranteed?

No. WIOA funding is not guaranteed. Approval depends on eligibility, available funding, local workforce board policy, program approval, and required documentation.

What heavy equipment training may be available?

National Training, Inc. offers entry-level heavy equipment operator training that may include bulldozers, excavators, tractor loader backhoes, and articulated loaders, depending on the program and schedule.

Is there a minimum age for attending the training?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old.

How long is the Heavy NOW course?

National Training, Inc.’s Heavy Now program consists of 208 clock hours and is normally completed in four weeks of full-time training. Students must satisfy all attendance, academic-progress, assessment, skills, and program-completion requirements stated in the school catalog..

How much does the Heavy NOW Course cost?

Heavy Now tuition is $14,995, or $15,095 including the $100 administrative fee, plus any individually applicable outside costs. Each individual Bulldozer, Excavator, Tractor Loader Backhoe, or Articulated Loader course is $4,995 in tuition, or $5,095 including the administrative fee, plus any applicable outside costs. Applicants should review the current school catalog and enrollment agreement before enrolling.

Where do I go for financial assistance?

For qualified students concerned with tuition, National Training, Inc. offers a variety of financial resources for financial aid in addition to our low tuition costs, regardless of your credit status. Below we’ve highlighted the most popular types of financial aid used by our students. We strive to do all we can to make our financial aid programs as accessible as possible. Our Admissions Representatives will walk you through the qualifications and the types of tuition funding available to you, answering your questions along the way. Call us at (800) 488-7364 or contact us today to explore your options! Please note that although National Training, Inc. participates in many financial aid programs, we do not participate in any Federally sponsored student loan or financial aid programs, also known as Title IV loans).

Do you offer job placement assistance when I graduate?

Yes. National Training, Inc. provides job placement assistance to graduates. Our team helps students with employment leads, resume support, interview preparation, and guidance on applying for entry-level heavy equipment positions. Job placement assistance is designed to help students pursue employment opportunities after training, but employment is not guaranteed. Hiring decisions are made by employers and may depend on the student’s skills, attendance, work history, background, driving record if applicable, drug testing requirements, employer needs, local labor market conditions, and individual effort.

How much do Equipment Operators Earn?

Earnings for construction equipment operators vary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary for a construction heavy equipment operator in 2020 was $49,100.

Is there a National Training, Inc. Heavy Equipment Operator School near me?

Conducting this type of training is not a simple process. The permits needed, licenses, environmental impact, and the enormous amount of land required to conduct this type of training, make it difficult to teach this type of training everywhere. That is probably why heavy construction operator schools are not found in most communities. In fact the National Training Heavy Equipment Operator School has invested years of time and vast legal resources into obtaining the necessary environmental permits and approvals that are mandated by the Federal Government and the State of Florida. The resident training portion is conducted in sunny North Florida at our exclusive, 350-acre training grounds.

Why is the School located in Florida?

There are many advantages to completing heavy equipment operator training in Florida. The warm climate allows students to train outdoors most days of the year, without the snow delays common in other parts of the country. Rain showers are usually brief, which helps reduce weather-related downtime and keeps students focused on building hands-on equipment skills. At National Training, we believe students should have a positive training experience both on and off the equipment. Learning to operate heavy equipment takes hard work, focus, and practice, but Florida also offers students opportunities to enjoy their time outside of class. Our training grounds are located near many popular Florida destinations. During weekends or free time, students can visit St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Silver Springs, World Golf Village, and other nearby attractions. Students who prefer a quieter way to relax can also enjoy fishing and outdoor recreation close to the school. Choosing heavy equipment operator training in Florida gives students the opportunity to gain entry-level equipment skills while training in a location known for year-round outdoor activity, recreation, and travel.

Is there lodging near the school?

Yes. National Training students receive preferred rates from several motels close to the school. Costs vary, depending on your choice of single room or doubling up with another student. We can say this, the rates you will find to be surprisingly affordable as they are structured for only our students. In addition to these motels, there are many more within a 15-mile radius of our training grounds.

What funding and payment options may be available?

Qualified students may be eligible for WIOA workforce funding, Vocational Rehabilitation, VA education benefits, employer or agency sponsorship, third-party financing, or approved payment arrangements. Eligibility, approval, funding amounts, covered expenses, and payment terms are determined by the applicable funding provider and are not guaranteed.

Is Heavy Equipment operator training free?

No. NTI charges tuition and fees. Qualified students may receive funding that covers some or all approved training costs, but eligibility and approval are determined by the funding provider.

Does NTI accept Pell Grants or Workforce Pell?

No. NTI does not participate in Title IV federal student-aid programs, including traditional Pell Grants or Workforce Pell Grants.

What funding options may be available?

Qualified students may be eligible for WIOA workforce funding, Vocational Rehabilitation, VA education benefits, employer or agency sponsorship, third-party financing, or approved payment arrangements. Eligibility, approval, funding amounts, covered expenses, and payment terms are determined by the applicable funding provider.

Does NTI offer financing?

Yes. Third-party financing or payment arrangements may be available to qualified applicants. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to the financing provider’s requirements and the terms of the applicable agreement.

Does NTI guarantee employment?

NTI provides job-placement assistance, but employment, wages, benefits, work location, schedules, and employer hiring decisions are not guaranteed.

What credentials do Heavy Equipment graduates receive?

Graduates who satisfy NTI’s program requirements receive an NTI Certificate of Completion and academic transcript. Where applicable, students may also earn NCCER Registry credentials after successfully completing required NCCER modules and assessments. NCCER credentials are not automatically awarded by completing the program.

What Does a Heavy Equipment Operator School Teach?

A heavy equipment operator school teaches entry-level machine knowledge, safety procedures, inspections, basic controls, earthmoving principles, grading concepts, and jobsite awareness. At Earth Mover School, Heavy Now combines classroom instruction with simulator resources and supervised equipment projects, subject to the approved curriculum, schedule, maintenance, and availability.

Table of Contents

Which Operating Fundamentals Do Students Learn?

Instruction begins with understanding a machine before attempting jobsite tasks. Students may study equipment terminology, controls, components, inspections, start-up and shutdown procedures, positioning, and basic movement.

The Heavy Now curriculum addresses loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, grades, site work, and heavy-equipment safety. These subjects provide a foundation for practicing digging, loading, spreading material, grading, and site-preparation tasks.

Why Do Students Learn Inspections and Safety Procedures?

Operators must identify visible problems, understand safe operating limits, maintain awareness of surrounding workers, and follow established procedures.

Training may address pre-operation checks, seat-belt use, blind spots, communication, reversing, stable travel routes, and safe shutdown. OSHA’s construction requirements address equipment conditions and operating safeguards, while employers remain responsible for worksite-specific training and compliance.

Does Training Address Planning, Grades, and Site Work?

Operating controls is only one part of equipment work. A heavy equipment operator school may also teach how equipment supports a larger construction task.

Earth Mover School’s published curriculum includes grading concepts, site work, laser survey, and GPS-guided grading technology where applicable. NCCER’s Heavy Equipment Operations curriculum also addresses safety, equipment readiness, earthmoving, site planning, grading, and GPS/GNSS concepts.

Exact coverage depends on the selected program.

Does Completing School Provide a License or Certification?

Training, program completion, Registry credentials, certification, occupational licensing, and employment qualification are separate outcomes.

Graduates who meet National Training’s program requirements may receive its Certificate of Completion and an academic transcript. Where applicable, students may earn NCCER Registry credentials by completing the required modules and assessments. Those credentials are not automatic.

Completing Heavy Now does not make a graduate a licensed or certified heavy-equipment operator. A school-issued completion credential also does not replace employer qualification requirements, worksite-specific training, occupational licensing, or credentials required by an outside organization. Employment and employer acceptance are not guaranteed.

National Training is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, License No. 335.

How Should Prospective Students Compare Programs?

Ask each provider for its current catalog, curriculum hours, practical training structure, completion standards, credential requirements, safety content, costs, and equipment availability policy.

A campus visit can also clarify how instruction is delivered. Before selecting a heavy equipment operator school, prospective students should review the curriculum to determine whether the training aligns with their individual objectives. They should speak with admissions for current information rather than relying on assumptions about schedules, equipment, credentials, or employment outcomes.

FAQs

1. Do Students Learn on Only One Machine?

That depends on the course. Heavy Now may cover bulldozers, excavators, tractor loader-backhoes, and articulated wheel loaders. Individual courses focus on a selected equipment category.

2. Is Simulator Practice the Same as Operating Equipment?

No. A simulator can help students rehearse controls and procedures. Supervised machine practice introduces actual movement, visibility, response, positioning, and field conditions.

3. Does the Curriculum Include Equipment Maintenance?

Students may learn inspections, readiness checks, and basic preventive maintenance concepts relevant to operators. This should not be presented as comprehensive mechanic training.