The Heavy Equipment Operator Program teaches the safe, efficient operation and basic maintenance of construction equipment. During field training apprentices are assigned to a specific machine and under the supervision of a skilled and experienced instructor. Over the course of the program, field training includes instruction on at least 5 major types of heavy equipment. During classroom instruction apprentices receive training in safety, equipment maintenance, mechanical systems and GPS machine-control systems, as well as techniques used in the operation of various machines. Apprentices must attend five to seven weeks of Classroom and Hands-On classes at the Training Site each year. The term of apprenticeship is a minimum of four years and 4,000 hours of on-the-job-training.