TCC Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Tallahassee Community College will offer industry-recognized heavy equipment operations training classes Monday, September 14 - December 8.

All classroom sessions will take place on TCC’s main campus Monday-Thursday evenings, from 6-9 p.m. Hands-on labs will be held at TCC‘s Florida Public Safety Institute in Midway on select Fridays and Saturdays.

The courses are offered through TCC’s Center for Workforce Development and are designed for individuals who want to learn backhoe operation or improve their current backhoe skills. Graduates who successfully complete the training will receive industry-certification in heavy equipment operation.

TCC began offering heavy equipment operation training in October 2008, after an industry-trend study of building services determined there was a need to increase the quality and quantity of construction workers in the Tallahassee region.

On the heels of the study’s analysis, Florida's Great Northwest Inc. (FGNW) funded a grant for Tallahassee Community College’s Center for Workforce Development to address the shortfall. The class proved to be a success, providing certificates of completion to 25 of the 32 attendees.

“The need for skilled backhoe operators and dump truck drivers continues to be a critical issue,” said Rick Frazier, TCC’s Director of Business and Industry Services Center. “The US Department of Labor projects jobs in the construction industry sector will see an increase of 800,000 new jobs in the next five years.”

Frazier also points to the need for industry growth to keep up with current demographic and economic opportunities: “This need to grow the construction trade is compounded by the fact that Florida will undergo substantial infrastructure and expansion projects from population growth and from the impact of the Federal Economic Stimulus and Recovery Act funding.”

The course is designed for students to learn safety, maintenance, engineering and basic employability skills, as well as how to get the most out of their equipment. Students have the opportunity to practice on simulators before actually operating a backhoe or dump truck.

The program has two tracks: backhoe operation ($159) and dump truck operation ($54). Students must successfully complete the backhoe course, before enrolling in the dump truck course. A significant portion of the training fee is offset by the FGNW grant.

To register for the Heavy Equipment Operations program, call (850) 201-8760 or e-mail Trades@tcc.fl.edu.