What are the prerequisites for HEO Certification?
You must have one of the three items: Completion of the Road Building and Heavy Construction Foundation Course

OR

Proof of 1 year related field experience

OR

Sponsorship from current employer, who is in a related field (if you are under 19 years of age, you are required to have a Grade 12 diploma or equivalent)

Are you a registered facility?
Yes. Our Heavy Equipment Operator's Technician program (HEO) is registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Do you receive a ticket or diploma upon completion?
Yes, we award a certification at the end of our courses for our graduates. The HEO Course can offer a Provincial Certificate of Qualification with endorsement for the qualifying machines.

Do I need a valid driver’s license?
No, although in order to obtain a class 3 and/or class 1 you will require a valid un-restricted drivers license and conform to the age requirements as established by ICBC. You do need a valid un-restricted class 5 driver’s license for backhoe training

Do I need a High School diploma?
No, although if you are under 19 years of age, the HEO Course requires graduation from Grade 12 or equivalent.

Is Financial Assistance available?
Yes, financial assistance is available, depending on your circumstances. If you are currently unemployed, check with the local employment office for assistance options. If currently on WCB, check with WorkSafe BC regarding possible re-training. If you have a learning or physical disability, check with your local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. If you are a First Nation, check with your band office. If you are a student, check with Student Aid BC/Canada Student loan (this is only available for the 12 week course).

Are there accommodations available?
Yes, please contact our office for a list of available accommodations.

Is job placement assistance available?
Yes, Job Placement Assistance is available upon completion of any of the courses offered. All of our trainers have many years experience in the industry and as a result have many contacts and connections to the trade world. We are unable to guarantee you a job upon completion, but will aide you in the process.

What equipment is provided for training?
We provide a variety of heavy equipment sizes. An example of such equipment sizing for hydraulic excavators ranges from mini-excavators (a size which is typically used for landscaping and finer finishing work) up to heavy hydraulic excavators that have a class 10 classification for excavators operating in excess of 21,000lbs (a size which is typically used for main line trenching). Our Dozers range from D4-D8 size. Training is provided on all sizes of equipment, although we try to tailor the individual needs of each person to best accommodate their training to that which will help them become employable within a specific area of interest

Is the equipment modern and up to date?
Yes, all equipment has the newest of technology and is mechanically sound.

What happens in the event of a mechanical break-down?
All of the equipment used for training is in great mechanical condition, although breakdowns are inevitable. If you are operating a piece of equipment that has a mechanical failure, the piece of equipment experiencing mechanical problems will be replaced with another machine. You will not lose any of your allotted operating time.

What mechanical skills will be acquired during training?
You will be taught how to properly maintain your specific piece(s) of equipment in order to keep them in optimum operating condition. Basic maintenance, re-fueling, changing of buckets and the ability to aide in the diagnosis of basic mechanical problems will be acquired during training.

Where is the training performed?
The training site is located on private property and common tasks are performed depending on the piece of equipment being operated. We are constantly looking to incorporate training with customers requiring work to be completed.

Do the instructors have previous industry experience?
Yes, all of our instructors must have a minimum of 5 years practical working experience in the industry. They are all highly skilled operators and specialize in multiple pieces of equipment. Our instructors all bring their own areas of expertise, but collectively are able to offer a wide range of knowledge relevant to the industry as a whole. We employ some of the best operators in the industry and as a result their knowledge base in available to all those registered with Cutting Edge Training.

Is attendance part of the student evaluation?
Unauthorized absence (AWOL) and tardiness is not acceptable in the workplace and will not be tolerated in class.

What is the refund policy?
The one-time registration fee is non-refundable. To initiate a refund, a student must provide written notice to CET when a student chooses to withdraw from a course.

Refund Policy - Before the program begins:
Where a student is not deemed to have met the institutional and/or program specific minimum requirements for admission, CET will refund all fees paid under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable registration fee.

If written notice of withdrawal is received by CET less than seven (7) calendar days before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, CET may retain the lesser of 10% of the total fees due or $100.00.

If written notice of withdrawal is received by CET fifteen (15) calendar days before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, a full refund will apply, less the registration fee.

Refund Policy - Once the program has started:
If CET receives written notice of withdrawal or a student is dismissed within 10% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, CET may retain 30% of the total fees due under the contract.

If CET receives written notice of withdrawal or a student is dismissed within 10% and before 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, CET may retain 50% of the total fees due under the contract.

If a student withdraws or is dismissed after 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, no refund is required.

Does the registration fee apply to the Air Brake Course or the Class 5, 7, 7N or 7L?
No, the one time registraton fee does not apply to these courses.

Do I need to provide a vehicle for training?
No. CET has access to all vehicles that we provide training for. As well, for local students (Merritt, Shulus, Upper and Lower Nicola) we will pick up and drop off the student.