Certificate | SC Program: CL.3425
  • Complete certificate in 2 semesters/1 year
  • Hands-on experience with Excavators, Dozers, Loaders, Backhoes, Road Grader, and more
  • Study Surveying, Career Planning, Construction Skills, and TOPCONS Training​
  • Pursue optional Class A & B License Training Course​
  • Can count towards Associate's Degree in Industrial Technologies & Heavy Equipment Logging Certificate

Agriculture: Equipment Operations & Maintenance Certificate

This curriculum is designed to provide employable skills essential to several occupations and emphasizes the "learning-by-doing" method of instruction on modern up-to-date equipment.

This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this certificate.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

13 Units Total
CONS 45
M 2
Career Planning/Leadership for Heavy Equipment
CONS 45
Units 2
Career opportunities and training requirements in the field of Heavy Equipment Operations will be examined. Students will be assisted in identifying career opportunities and developing career goals. Leadership skills dealing with organizing a meeting, public speaking, and leadership styles will be covered. This class is required of all Equipment Operations and Maintenance students.
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CONS 46
M 3
Equipment Operations & Maintenance
CONS 46
Units 3
Limitation on Enrollment: Student must produce a negative test result in accordance with the Shasta College Student Substance Abuse Testing Policy at a student cost to be paid to the designated testing facility prior to enrolling.

This course covers basic skill-level operation and maintenance of on- and off-road heavy equipment including agriculture and earth moving. Students will not be allowed to operate road equipment without license and driving record. Operational equipment used may include any of the following: dump truck, grader, backhoe, dozer, farm tractor, loader, excavator, forklift, scraper, and chainsaws. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CONS 48
M 2
Surveying for Equipment Operations
CONS 48
Units 2
Advisory: MATH 100 with a grade of C or higher

This course teaches basic surveying techniques and concepts with emphasis on application for heavy equipment operators. It involves basic problem solving, grade setting and checking, leveling, distance measurement, cut-fill ratio, and basic mapping. The course has a heavy emphasis on field work using various equipment and instruments including levels, compasses tapes, as well as various state-of-the-art electronic surveying devices. This course will prepare students for work on a heavy equipment construction crew. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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AGMA 44
M 3
Intro to Construction Skills for Agriculture
AGMA 44
Units 3
This course covers the basic construction skills related to agriculture, natural resources, and environmental horticulture. Subjects covered will be mechanical drawing, design layout, arc welding, oxy/acetylene cutting and brazing, carpentry, electrification, small engine theory, concrete work structures, and project construction. Safety will be emphasized. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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AGNR 52
M 3
Computers in Ag and Nat Res
AGNR 52
Units 3
This course introduces students to basic computer applications in agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, and related Career Technical Education majors. Students will gain basic computer literacy skills while learning to use examples of industry-specific software. Other topics will include file management, data manipulation, and use of software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students will also be exposed to basic concepts and software related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

11.5 Units Total
CONS 47
Pre. M 3
Project Construction for Equipment Operations
CONS 47
Units 3
Limitation on Enrollment: Students are required to complete a pre-enrollment process prior to registering for this course, including passing a federal drug test. Please email Baits.HeavyEquipment@shastacollege.edu for more information on how to enroll in this course, or with any questions regarding the Heavy Equipment Program at Shasta College.

This class teaches intermediate skill-level operation and maintenance of off-road and on-road heavy equipment. It also covers common project construction techniques utilizing heavy equipment with an emphasis on moving soil to grade using cut and fill calculations. This class will also introduce the student to the Topcon 3D-MC2 GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CONS 55A
M 1
Equipment Operations Skills Development
CONS 55A
Units 1
Limitation on Enrollment: Student must produce a negative test result in accordance with Shasta College Student Substance Abuse Testing Policy at a student cost to be paid to the designated testing facility.

The practical application of skills needed to be successful in equipment operation as it applies to excavations. Includes farm and industrial equipment such as wheel and crawler tractors, backhoes and excavators. Service and adjustment will also be a part of this course.
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AGNR 66A
M 1
Wtrshd Restoration Practicum I
AGNR 66A
Units 1
This course will use the hydrologic watershed unit as the focus which will provide a hands-on approach to ecosystem management, erosion control, sediment control, and stream restoration. The course will emphasize how restoring resource values require an interdisciplinary scientific approach and community-wide participation to protect, enhance and restore. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CONS 148
M 3
Surveying, Grade Setting and GNSS for Construction
CONS 148
Units 3
Limitation on Enrollment: Student must produce a negative test result in accordance with Shasta College Student Substance Abuse Testing Policy at a student cost to be paid to the designated testing facility.

Note: Previous construction experience will be helpful. Student must be enrolled in the college's random drug testing program.

This is an advanced-level course designed to give the participants practical skills and knowledge in the latest technology and applications related to surveying for construction, grade setting, and Global Satellite Control Systems (GNSS). The course will emphasize skills development, with hands-on exercises using GNSS technology. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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DIES 48
M 3.5
Hydraulics
DIES 48
Units 3.5
This course is a study of the theory, application, and component parts of a hydraulic system. This course will emphasize fundamentals in dismantling, inspection, and troubleshooting hydraulic components and complete systems. Closed-loop application, inspection, and troubleshooting will be studied. This course is required for all Diesel Technology, Welding Technology, and Equipment Operations and Maintenance majors. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

Contact Us for More Information

Academic/Instructional Division Office

Location Main Redding Campus | 1023

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