Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.
Fuel Your Future.
This comprehensive course will turn you into a mover and a shaker. You'll have hands-on experience with excavators, dozers, graders, and more. You will also have the opportunity to gain real work experience during the placement course. You'll learn about soils, surveying, service and maintenance, radio etiquette, and employability skills along with earning numerous safety tickets like
- Construction Safety (CSTS), H2S Alive, Roadbuilders Safety (RSTS), and Standard First Aid
Video Disclaimer:
Please note we no longer have simulator training.
Domestic Apply
Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).
Domestic Funding Options
Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.
Domestic Information Request
If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.
Career Potential
After successful completion of the Heavy Equipment Operator program, you will be qualified to work in the oil and gas, construction and road building industries.
Credentials
Certificate
Admission Requirements
Educational
- English Language Arts 10-2
- Math 10-3 or Science 14
Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact student services regarding opportunities for placement testing. Students will need to submit an application to the program to start the process.
Other
- Valid Class-5 driver's licence or equivalent
Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.
Transferability N/A
Program Start Date
Fall: August 25, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Winter: March 2, 2026 - June 19, 2026
Note: Applications will typically be accepted until the program start date unless full.
Location
Boyle Campus
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Fall Term
| Tuition | $11,924.00 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.50 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.50 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $12,504.98 |
Winter Term
| Tuition | $11,924.00 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $107.75 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $12,448.98 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
2022 - 2023
Audit Fee - 50% of Course Fee
Document re-issuance Fee - such as, student ID, meal card, certificates etc. (Non-refundable)
Fee is per document - $10
GED Exam Fee (refundable if writing is cancelled)
Writing Fee - $200
Re-write Fee - $190
Invigilation Fee (Non-refundable)
Administration Fee - $25
Invigilation Fee per hour - $25
Prior Learning Assessment Fee (Non refundable)
Cost recovery, minimum $250/course
Supplemental/Deferred Exams (Non-refundable) - $25
Transcript Evaluation Fee - not applicable to dual credit high schools (non-refundable)
External Advanced Credit - $50
Transcript Fee - $10
Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500
Paramedicine - $1500
Heavy Equipment Operator
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.