Heavy equipment operators operate backhoes, bulldozers, loaders, graders, side-booms, dredging, and heavy paving equipment, power shovels, pile drivers, and other heavy equipment.

In general, you usually need some high school education.

To be a heavy equipment operator, you need a one-to two-year apprenticeship or some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment operating combined with on-the-job training.

Heavy equipment operators require trade certification in Quebec. It is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories. You may require company certification at your place of employment.

To be a public works maintenance equipment operator, you usually need experience as a public works labourer. You usually get on-the-job training and may require a driver's licence appropriate to the equipment you are driving.

With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor.

Many recent entrants have a high school diploma, and almost 1 in 5 has a trade/vocational certificate or community college diploma.