About the Program

Mobile Crane Operator Training

Unique Features of the Program:

• Off season winter instruction
• Instruction at locations convenient to student employees.
• Instruction and training by experienced equipment operators from participating companies
• Intense training on one piece of equipment and compaction equipment
• Performance based curriculum and certification

Winter Training Session:

This on-location instruction will include traditional classroom instruction and an equal amount of hands-on learning. The material will be presented in five sessions over an approximate four-week period and will include:

• Introduction to heavy equipment operation including risk management
• Equipment maintenance, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting
• Understanding the compaction of soils, construction aggregates and hot-mix
• Construction grades and plans
• Introduction to a specific piece of equipment (i.e. Bulldozer, loader, scraper, excavator, paver, roller and blade)

Spring Training Session:

This on-location instruction will focus on all aspects of the actual running and operating of a selected piece of equipment. An experienced instructor / operator will teach the specific skills required for competent operation and certification. As part of this operation, the student employee will put into practice many of the skills learned during the winter training sessions. This session may be affected by the weather, but it is anticipated it will take approximately 10 to 20 working days to complete the program.

Construction (Season) Training:

During the construction season, the student employee will be "on-the-job" with the company and will continue to operate the specific piece of equipment trained during the spring session. Under the watchful eye of a trained mentor and experienced operator, the student employee operator will be putting into practice all of the skills learned and will have those skills evaluated and competence certified.

Program Summary

WINTER
This on-location instruction will include traditional classroom instruction and an equal amount of hands-on learning. The material will be presented in five sessions over an approximate four-week period and will include:

• Intro to H.E.
• Soils and Compaction
• Maintenance
• Grades and Plans

Specialist Equip Week

• Bulldozer
• Loader
• Scraper
• Blade
• Paver
• Excavator
• Back Hoe

SPRING
The spring session will be offered at multiple locations to meet the needs of students and participating companies and will provide an opportunity for student/operators to practice, demonstrate and develop the skills learned during the winter session.

SUMMER
(Construction Season)
During the summer construction period, the student employee operator will be working on-site as an "apprentice operator" under the guidance of a trained mentor.
The mentor may also be an evaluator who will be assessing the operator's performance against set criteria to determine whether he/she has achieved the level of competence in the effective use of the respective piece of equipment operated.
Following successful assessment, the student operator will be awarded a recognized certificate of competence.

For additional information contact:
Noel Harness
Phone: Willmar Campus: (320) 222-6061
E-mail: Noel Harness

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To partner with Ridgewater College or to learn more, call the Hutchinson Campus at (320) 234-8538 or the Willmar Campus at (320) 222-6060.