Step into the operator’s seat and start building skills you can use right away. This 6-week, 180-hour summer program is built for adults who are ready to explore construction and the skilled trades or take the first step toward a new direction. You’ll train on the same equipment used on active job sites, including skid steers, compact track loaders, wheel loaders, backhoes, and excavators. Along the way, you’ll learn essential safety practices, equipment terminology, and preventative maintenance while gaining steady, guided experience behind the controls. You’ll also cover rigging basics, soil compaction, and the core skills that keep projects moving. Working alongside experienced BCTC instructor Eric Reifsnyder, you’ll build confidence with each session and develop the precision employers look for. The program wraps up with a hands-on job site simulation at the BCTC Quarry, where you’ll put your training to work in a real-world setting. If you’re ready to try something new, strengthen your skill set, or move toward a career in construction or heavy equipment operation, this program gives you a strong, practical starting point.