This is the perfect course for:

• Managers who need to provide excavator training to operators to reduce damage and increase efficiency
• People exploring whether they want to be an excavator operator
• New excavator operators who have recently done a tracks or wheels endorsement, or are about to do it
• Existing operators who want to upskill in different types of excavator work
• Operators returning to this line of work who need a refresher
• Operators coming to your company from overseas where regulations and rules might be different
• Operators globally who want to improve their excavator operation skills.

The course is suitable for experienced and new operators. You will learn:

• Loading trucks
• Clearing trees and scrub
• Improving cycle efficiency
• Driving on ramps and slopes
• Safe operation on building sites
• How to choose the right excavator for the job
• Pre-operational checks and how to recognise damage
• Excavator controls and operation
• Safe shutdown and parking
• Site permits
• Driving on a road
• Hazard identification and management

• No more trying to schedule time off-site for training as they can do the theory online on a computer or smartphone over a number of days, whenever is convenient
• Engaging video-based learning followed by questions
• Language and literacy support with translations to 70+ languages plus audio recordings in English - your operators with English as a second language or poor reading skills don't need to be left behind
• Easy management and reporting
• 6 months' access to the course materials
• Free setup
• Free management of trainees doing the course.

Do I need any unit standards to operate heavy machinery like dump trucks, loaders, graders and excavators? No, there's nothing in any law that says you have to do this UNLESS you are driving them on NZTA's definition of a road. In this case, it will be a wheels (W), tracks (T) or rollers (R) endorsement that is required.

Does this course comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015? The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 requires that you provide ongoing training, information, monitoring and supervision. This course covers training and information that is essential for machine operators and drivers to know.

Does the course material support people with learning challenges such as dyslexia or reading difficulties? Online learning is more in-depth, more inclusive with our translations and audio recordings, and can be repeated as many times as necessary to gain understanding. 

My machine operators have a W, T or R endorsement. Is this course still needed? Yes. The endorsement courses cover only the basics of operating those machines on a road, not safe practices on a worksite.

I have a new driver who hasn't operated these machines before. Can they use this course to become qualified? They can use this course to learn the theory, but it is essential that they also have in-person practical training plus supervision. If they are driving on the road with any earthmoving machines, they may need the relevant endorsement on their driver licence, plus the correct type of licence for the weight of the vehicle.

What machines does this course cover? This course covers excavators of all sizes from mini excavators and backhoes to the largest mining equipment.

Is a practical assessment included? We supply a practical assessment checklist that you can use in-house to conduct an assessment. This course doesn't include a practical assessment.

How long is the certificate valid? The course should be refreshed every 3 years, to align with guidelines for operating heavy plant.

How do you prove that a person has done the training when it's online? We recommend that your operators do the training at your premises (either on your computers or tablets or using their smartphone) so that you can ensure it is them doing the training and not another person. Our clients tend to schedule convenient, short sessions where an operator can use those facilities.

Once you have finished al the theory modules, you will get a certificate of achievement for the theory.

If you want the operator's certificate, you can take a practical assessment and validate (verify) the course. Instructions are in the course (we provide a full practical assessment checklist), and on our help portal (search 'validate')

• You will need one course licence per person taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple operators
• You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training.