Construction industry leaders praise Laurel Ridge Heavy Equipment Operator program, cite strong demand

Graduates of Laurel Ridge Community College’s heavy equipment operator (HEO) course leave the program equipped with the skills regional employers desperately need.

In 2017, Laurel Ridge became the first community college in Virginia to offer statewide industry credential programs for heavy equipment operators. Instructors use the National Center for Construction Education and Research curriculum and national industry credentialing. Students are trained on a state-of-the-art simulator.

Representatives from S.W. Rodgers, Allan Myers, Cedar Mountain Stone and the Heavy Construction Contractors Association attended a recent signing ceremony for graduates of the HEO program. They shared just how in-demand workers with HEO skills are.

T.J. Rodgers, vice president of the Heavy Construction Contractors Association (HCCA), is in his 20th year with S.W. Rodgers Co. He said Laurel Ridge’s HEO program is highly regarded.

“I have seen and experienced many important events throughout my career, but none more important than the reason we’re here today,” Rodgers said. “The teachings of this program show students what to expect on any given day on a demanding job site.”

The Laurel Ridge program demonstrates how to be safe and look out for coworkers, he said. Rodgers added that experienced instructors who are passionate about the heavy equipment industry prepare students for real-world skills in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.

“S.W. Rodgers has seen the value of this program since its beginning in 2017,” Rodgers said. “These students come in here and have a chance to get in on a ground-level entry platform that is safe and can build confidence. It excites me because I get to see future industry leaders take the first steps to build their careers.”

One of those future leaders just might be 2020 HEO graduate Logan Butler, who signed up to do the program his senior year of high school. 

“It was a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “The program delivered as promised.”

That included guaranteed job interviews for those who successfully complete the course. Butler, who accepted an offer from S.W. Rodgers, drives a bulldozer now, and hopes to work his way up to a foreman position.

The HEO program is eligible for FastForward funding, which covers two-thirds of the tuition costs. Additionally, those who qualify for G3 funding will have the remaining program costs covered.

Salaries for those in the industry vary by job with the median salary for paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators being $41,113; for pile drive operators being $65,295; excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining at $47,471; and hoist and winch operators at $54,740, according to Lightcast.

Ashley Hutson, operations manager for the HCCA, said the heavy equipment industry is facing a labor shortage. 

“The need for people is so strong that these employers are here because they want to hire the people who come from this program,” she said. “They really value the skills that are shared here.

Training students on the simulators really cuts down risk, Hutson said. 

“Our companies are really proud of the students who go through this program,” she said.

Zach Laurita, of Laurita Excavating, said his company has made multiple offers to Laurel Ridge HEO graduates. It’s no secret the industry’s workers are aging out, he said.

“It’s an older workforce,” Laurita said. “We’re here to start reaching out and bringing new people into the industry.”

2022 Strasburg High School graduate David Van Anden signed with Laurita Excavating. The day of the signing marked his third day on the job.

“I’ve already been told by our supervisors, ‘Do what you can to find five more of you and bring them into the job,’” he said.

Ed Dalrymple, owner and president of Dalrymple Companies, said Laurel Ridge’s HEO program is a model for other community colleges.

“The program that Laurel Ridge has put together is now offered in 12 community colleges,” he said. “It’s our goal to have it in all 23 community colleges [in Virginia],” he said.

“I’m just grateful we have such wonderful industry partners helping us launch this pipeline,” said Laurel Ridge career coach Lisa Heiser who advises students at Rappahannock High School. 

Laurel Ridge offers the HEO program at our Fauquier, Luray and Middletown locations. Learn more about the HEO program at laurelridgeworkforce.com/HEO.