Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Heavy Equipment Operations Technician
Program Type:	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster:	Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Career Certificate Program	
Program Number	T440200	
CIP Number	0649020201	
Grade Level	30, 31	
Program Length	1200 hours	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Program Structure section	
CTSO	SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	
Basic Skills Level	Computation (Mathematics): 	8	Communications (Reading and Language Arts): 	8	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to, communication skills, leadership skills, human relations and employability skills, safe and efficient work practices, and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment such as crawler tractors, motor graders, scrapers and shovels or cranes.  Students training on one machine must complete all related program content.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of four occupational completion points.

This program is comprised of courses which have been assigned course numbers in the SCNS (Statewide Course Numbering System) in accordance with Section 1007.24 (1), F.S.  Career and Technical credit shall be awarded to the student on a transcript in accordance with Section 1001.44(3) (b), F.S.

To teach the course(s) listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the postsecondary program structure:

OCP	Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
A	TRA0070	Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician	OPER ENGR @7 7G	150 hours	
B	TRA0086	Tractor Operator		150 hours	
C	TRA0087	Off-road Equipment Operator 1		300 hours	
D	TRA0088	Off-road Equipment Operator 2		300 hours	
E	TRA0049	Crane Operator		300 hours	

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate understanding of safety procedures.
02.0	Demonstrate understanding of operation and maintenance of mechanical systems and engines.
03.0	Operate pneumatic and crawler-type tractor with attachments.
04.0	Operate a backhoe.
05.0	Operate a motor grader.
06.0	Utilize utility construction equipment as applicable.
07.0	Operate crane or alternative equipment (operating engineer).

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Heavy Equipment Operations Technician 
Career Certificate Program Number:	T440200

Course Description:  The Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician course prepares students for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operations industry. Content emphasizes beginning skills and concepts as a recommended requisite. Students study shop safety, mechanical systems, and engines.

Course Number:  TRA0070
Occupational Completion Point:  A 
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician – 150 Hours	
01.0	Demonstrate understanding of safety procedures.  The student will be able to:	
01.01	Apply safety practices during operation of heavy equipment.	
01.02	Discuss function of each piece of heavy equipment as appropriate.	
01.03	Turn and back-up equipment safely.	
01.04	Operate equipment on roadway safely.	
02.0	Demonstrate understanding of operation and maintenance of mechanical systems and engines.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Perform preventive maintenance on equipment including greasing, changing oil, and replacing filters.	
02.02	Perform additional maintenance based on specific equipment needs.	
02.03	Safety check equipment prior to operation.	

Course Description:  The Tractor Operator course is designed to build on the skills and knowledge students learned in the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician course for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operations industry. Content emphasizes beginning skills and concepts as a recommended requisite. Students’ study pneumatic, and crawler-type tractor operations.

Course Number:  TRA0086
Occupational Completion Point:  B 
Tractor Operator – 150 Hours	
03.0	Operate pneumatic and crawler-type tractor with attachments.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Move, level, and spread top soil.	
03.02	Remove stumps.	
03.03	Pile debris for burning.	
03.04	Remove and replace dozer blade.	
03.05	Remove and replace bucket.	
03.06	Attach cutting teeth as needed.	
03.07	Safely load dump trucks.	

Course Description:  The Off-road Equipment Operator 1 course is designed to build on the skills and knowledge students learned in the Tractor Operator course for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operations industry. Content emphasizes beginning skills and concepts as a recommended requisite. Students study back hoe, and motor grader operations. 

Course Number:  TRA0087
Occupational Completion Point:  C 
Off-road Equipment Operator 1 – 300 Hours	
04.0	Operate a backhoe.  The student will be able to:	
04.01	Dig pit to specified grade.	
04.02	Observe for cables, pipes, and underground utilities.	
04.03	Dig ditches for drainage and pipes.	
04.04	Install bucket teeth to backhoe	
05.0	Operate a motor grader.  The student will be able to:	
05.01	Grade to specific levels.	
05.02	Apply use of grading stakes when operating motor grade.	
05.03	Build a roadbed.	
05.04	Perform blue-top grade (finish).	
05.05	Change blade and scarifier teeth on motor grader.	

Course Description:  The Off-road Equipment Operator 2 course is designed to build on the skills and knowledge students learned in the Off-road Equipment Operator 1 course for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operations industry. Content emphasizes beginning skills and concepts as a recommended requisite. Students study utility construction equipment operation.

Course Number:  TRA0088
Occupational Completion Point:  D
Off-road Equipment Operator 2 – 300 Hours	
06.0	Utilize utility construction equipment as applicable.  The student will be able to:	
06.01	Operate scraper.	
06.02	Operate trencher.	
06.03	Operate tar kettle.	
06.04	Operate rollers.	
06.05	Operate concrete mixer.	

Course Description:  The Crane Operator course is designed to build on the skills and knowledge students learned in the Off-road Equipment Operator 1 & 2 courses for entry into the Heavy Equipment Operations industry. Content emphasizes beginning skills and concepts as a recommended requisite. Students study crane or alternative equipment operation.

Course Number:  TRA0049
Occupational Completion Point:  E 
Crane Operator – 300 Hours	
07.0	Operate a crane or alternative equipment (operating engineer).  The student will be able to:	
07.01	Apply safety procedures.	
07.02	Review “Construction Industry Manufactures Association” safety manuals.	
07.03	Operate crane with drag bucket, clamshell, and hook. (Optional)	
07.04	Load dump truck with crane. (Optional)	
07.05	Operate alternative equipment	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools, and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Special Notes

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for initial employment with occupational titles as operating engineers.  Schools may elect to train on heavy equipment unique to their Local employment area in OCP C, D, and E as an instructional option.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Heavy Equipment industry, planning, management, finance, technical and product skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

Many areas of the state do not have the need to train crane operators.  To assist business and industry and provide solutions for students needing training on alternative pieces of equipment; requiring the same number of hours (300), alternative equipment to meet the requirements of Occupational Completion Point E may be used.  

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program.  Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

Basic Skills

In Career Certificate Programs offered for 450 hours or more, in accordance with Rule 6A-10.040, F.A.C., the minimum basic skills grade levels required for postsecondary adult career and technical students to complete this program are:  Computation (Mathematics) and Communications (Reading and Language Arts). These grade level numbers correspond to a grade equivalent score obtained on a state designated basic skills examination.  

Adult students with disabilities, as defined in Section 1004.02, Florida Statutes, may be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirements (Rule 6A-10.040).  Students served in exceptional student education (except gifted) as defined in s. 1003.01, F.S., may also be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirement.  Each school district and Florida College System Institution must adopt a policy addressing procedures for exempting eligible students with disabilities from the Basic Skills requirement as permitted in Section 1004.91, F.S.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.