Heavy Equipment Course Leads to Career

Western Piedmont Community College and Burke Middle College student Zachary McFarlin was recently hired by the City of Morganton for a summer job after completing WPCC’s Heavy Equipment class.

Classes in WPCC’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) curriculum are designed to quickly prepare students for entry-level jobs, giving them the skills they need in a hands-on setting.

Completion of courses in the HEO program can bring benefits, including potential job interview and special qualifications based on your training.

“Taking this excavator class through WPCC has helped me achieve this job position. I didn’t even think about getting a job there until I heard they were hiring from my instructor,” McFarlin said. “Taking the class has granted me opportunities such as this job and possibly heavy equipment jobs in the future.”

Heavy Equipment Operator Administrator Terry Adams presented the job opportunity to his student.

“I was able to get him the first opportunity for a job interview through the Heavy Equipment class. The Heavy Equipment Program is proud to be the first step for Zachary as he moves forward on a path of success,” Adams said. “It is a privilege to be a part of a team that can support each other, and we send Zachary best wishes.”

WPCC will be offering a one-week Heavy Equipment Operator Simulator Academy beginning on July 25, 2022. The Academy will focus on an escalated level of safety and control familiarization on a Medium Hydraulic Excavator.

The Academy will run Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Foothills Higher Education Center. The final day will be used to focus on the iron and students will have the opportunity to perform actual movement while using a mini-Excavator.

For more information or to register visit online at wpcc.edu/heavy-equipment-operator.