Building Skills. Creating Opportunities.
Serving Our Community.
American Heavy Equipment Academy trains veterans, transitioning service members, and career changers for the heavy equipment and construction industries through hands-on instruction on real machines.
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6
Pieces of heavy equipment trained on
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Hands-On
Classroom instruction plus real machine time
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Veteran-Founded
Built on discipline, safety, and accountability
Built by Veterans, for the Next Generation
We are a veteran-founded organization built on discipline, teamwork, and accountability. These are the values we’re bringing directly into training the next generation of heavy equipment operators.
VETERAN-FOUNDED
PROGRAMS
Two Paths to Get You Job-Site Ready
Hands-on instruction, real equipment, and a curriculum built around safety and professionalism.
8-Week Heavy Equipment Operator Program
DURATION
8 Weeks (320 Clock Hours)
EQUIPMENT
Hands-on training on 6 pieces of heavy equipment
CREDENTIALS
AHEA Certificate of Completion, plus a wallet-size license card listing certified equipment
OSHA 10
OSHA 30 (Construction Industry)
Opportunity to earn NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator certification
TUITION
With Lodging: $18,500
Without Lodging: $16,500
Custom Course
DURATION
6 Weeks (240 Clock Hours: 80 Classroom + 160 Hands-On)
EQUIPMENT
Choose one piece of equipment: Bulldozer, Excavator, Wheel Loader, Backhoe, Skid Steer, or Telehandler
CREDENTIALS
AHEA Certificate of Completion
OSHA 10
OSHA 30 (Construction Industry)
Opportunity to earn NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator certification
TUITION
Tuition: $10,500
Lodging & Meals: extra $2,500
EQUIPMENT
Train on the Machines Employers Need Operated
Six pieces of heavy equipment, hands-on from day one through graduation.
Excavator
Digging, trenching, and precision grade control for site development.
Wheel Loader
Material handling and site movement at scale.
Bulldozer
Pushing, grading, and site preparation using blade control.
Skid Steer
Maneuverability and attachment work in tight job-site spaces.
Backhoe
Versatile digging and loading for utility and excavation work.
Telehandler
Lifting and placing materials at height and across the site.
HOW WE TRAIN
Hands-On, Real-World Training, Not Just Time in a Classroom
Every student trains on real machines and learns the standards that job sites expect: safety, discipline, and professionalism.
Heavy equipment operation
Construction and excavation fundamentals
Job-site safety
Construction and excavation fundamentals
Equipment inspection and maintenance
Operator professionalism and workplace expectations
WHO IT’S FOR
Built for People Ready to Build Something New
Veterans
Bring your discipline and work ethic into a hands-on civilian career path.
Transitioning Service Members
Build a skill set that translates directly to construction and heavy civil work.
Young Adults
Start a skilled trade career without a traditional four-year path.
Career Changers
Move into an in-demand trade with real, hands-on machine time.
WHY TRUST AHEA
Veteran Values, Applied to Training
Safety
Every session reinforces the standards job sites require.
Discipline
Structure and accountability carried over from military service.
Career Changers
Operator conduct and workplace expectations, taught from day one.
Common Questions
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Our flagship program runs 8 weeks with hands-on training on 6 pieces of heavy equipment. The Custom Course runs 6 weeks.
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Graduates receive an AHEA training certificate, OSHA 10, and OSHA 30 (Construction Industry), plus the opportunity to test for NCCER certification on qualifying equipment.
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Yes. The 8-week program is $18,500 with lodging and two meals a day, Monday through Friday, or $16,500 without lodging. Contact admissions for current availability.
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Yes. The 8-week program is $18,500 with lodging and two meals a day, Monday through Friday, or $16,500 without lodging. Contact admissions for current availability.
Ready to Start Your Mission?
Take the first step toward a hands-on career in heavy equipment.