TT
TalkTheTrade
Heavy Equipment
beginner

Heavy Equipment Operations 101

Excavators, Dozers, Graders & Loaders

Enter the high-demand world of heavy equipment operations. This comprehensive course covers everything from basic machine controls to advanced techniques used on construction sites, mining operations, and civil projects. Built from real time in the equipment rental and sales world, Alberta government wage data, and Alberta safety rules.

About 13 hours, self-paced.7 modules · 26 lessonsSelf-Paced

Course Preview

What You'll Learn

Know what each machine does and where its danger zones are
Talk like you've been on site: slang, radio calls, hand signals
What day one actually looks like and how to earn respect fast
Alberta safety basics, tickets, and your right to refuse unsafe work
What equipment jobs really pay, including overtime
Your next step: operator or Heavy Equipment Technician

Who This Course Is For

  • Anyone interested in operating dozers, excavators, and graders
  • Construction labourers ready to level up
  • Career changers who love working outdoors with machinery
  • People exploring civil construction and infrastructure careers
  • Employers onboarding new hires

Course Curriculum

7 modules • 26 lessons • About 13 hours, self-paced. total

Welcome to the Iron

2 hours
What Is Heavy Equipment (Really)?About 10 minutes
Who Runs This Stuff?About 10 minutes
Money Talk: What Equipment Jobs PayAbout 10 minutes
Module 1 Quiz10 minutes

Know Your Iron

3 hours
Machine LineupAbout 15 minutes
Slang SchoolAbout 12 minutes
Tracks vs TiresAbout 10 minutes
Attachments & Add-onsAbout 10 minutes
Module 2 Quiz15 minutes

Your First Job

2.5 hours
Greenhand Reality CheckAbout 10 minutes
Swamper SkillsAbout 10 minutes
Site Etiquette 101About 10 minutes
Get Respect FastAbout 8 minutes
Module 3 Quiz15 minutes

Safety Without Being Boring

2.5 hours
Spotter TalkAbout 12 minutes
PPE & PaperworkAbout 10 minutes
Jobsite HazardsAbout 12 minutes
Module 4 Quiz15 minutes

Talk the Talk

2 hours
Shop Talk vs Site TalkAbout 8 minutes
Radios, Calls, and Crew LingoAbout 10 minutes
Slang-Off ChallengeAbout 8 minutes
Module 5 Quiz15 minutes

Rookie Field Training

2+ hours
Rookie Simulator: Field Scenarios120+ minutes

Choose Your Track

1.5 hours
Where to From Here?About 10 minutes
Resume & Job Board BasicsAbout 10 minutes
Final Quiz & Certificate35 minutes

Requirements

  • None. If you can read this, you're in.

How This Course Was Built

Built from real time in the equipment rental and sales world, Alberta government wage data, and Alberta safety rules.

$79 CAD

Lifetime access · Secure checkout via Stripe

This course includes:

Rookie Simulator: 12 real jobsite scenario packs
Real crew slang and radio calls
Alberta safety basics and tickets
Resume template and interview cheat sheet
Built for your phone
Certificate of completion (not a safety ticket or licence)
Lifetime course updates
About 13 hours, self-paced.
Duration
26
Lessons
Certificate
Included
Resources
Downloadable
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