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Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.
Applying as an International applicant
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Please note:
Brantford students:
- courses may be delivered in a different order than is displayed on the website
- classes are held at the Brantford Municipal Airport
Program description - August 2026
Drive big results with Conestoga's Heavy Construction Equipment Operation certificate.
If you're a high school graduate ready to break ground in Ontario's booming construction industry, Conestoga's one-year Heavy Construction Equipment Operation certificate provides the hands-on training and technical knowledge to succeed. This Ontario College program prepares you to safely and confidently operate both large and compact construction equipment, with practical experience at our training site.
You'll learn to operate and perform basic maintenance on equipment such as dozers, excavators, and tractor-loader-backhoes. Training also includes paving operations and the use of compact equipment, supported by theory in environmental practices, soils, concrete and asphalt, surveying, and site planning. Graduates may qualify for automatic exemption from all in-school apprenticeship training for three Heavy Equipment Operator trades, giving you a strong head start in your career.
What you'll learn
- Safe operation of heavy and compact construction equipment
- Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Paving operations and site preparation techniques
- Environmental practices and material handling
- Surveying, site plans and construction theory
Career pathways
- Heavy equipment operator in construction or paving
- Entry-level roles in excavation, roadwork or site development
- Apprenticeship exemption for dozer, excavator, and tractor-loader-backhoe trades
- Foundation for further training in civil construction or equipment maintenance
Note:
- This is a highly competitive program. Apply by February 1 (for September), July 15 (for January). See oversubscribed programs for more information.
- Canadian students living outside of Ontario are not eligible to apply.
Program details
Estimated tuition & fees
The tuition and fee details for the 2026-2027 academic year (September 2026 to August 2027) are provided below for your selected intake. Please note that fees for the 2027-2028 academic year (September 2027 to August 2028) will be released in Spring 2027. Students continuing their studies into the 2027-2028 academic year should review the updated fee details when they become available. Additional costs for books and supplies may apply. All fees are subject to change and are reassessed annually.
Tuition and fee details for terms starting September 2027 and later will be available Spring 2027.
2 Terms
Canadian
International
Canadian fee details
| Description | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Program Tuition Fee (ACR) | $6643.60 | $3321.80 |
| Administration Fee | $50.00 | $25.00 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $20.00 | $10.00 |
| CSI Association Fee | $240.00 | $120.00 |
| CSI Extended Health & Dental Plan Fee | $390.00 | - |
| CSI Legal Care Fee | $35.00 | - |
| *eText Fee | $103.00 | - |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $40.00 | $20.00 |
| HST | $17.68 | - |
| ONE Card Fee | $19.00 | $9.50 |
| Student Services | $183.00 | $91.50 |
| Student Spaces | $100.00 | $50.00 |
| *Supply Fee (Taxed) | $136.00 | - |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $220.00 | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $70.00 | - |
| CSI - Student Welcome Kit Fee (optional) | $75.00 | - |
| CSI Student Events Fee (optional) | $70.00 | $35.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $10.00 | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $8422.28 | $3797.80 |
| Year Total | $12220.08 |
*The fee listed is for the current academic term and is subject to change. Confirmed costs will appear on your registration invoice. For the most up-to-date eText and course materials pricing, please refer to your personalized booklist.
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
International fee details
| Description | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| International Program Tuition | $15476.78 | $7738.39 |
| Administration Fee | $50.00 | $25.00 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $20.00 | $10.00 |
| CSI Association Fee | $240.00 | $120.00 |
| CSI College Int'l Health Insurance Plan (CIHIP) | $680.00 | - |
| CSI Extended Health & Dental Plan Fee | $345.00 | - |
| CSI Legal Care Fee | $35.00 | - |
| *eText Fee | $103.00 | - |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $40.00 | $20.00 |
| HST | $17.68 | - |
| ISR (International Student Recovery) | $750.00 | $375.00 |
| ONE Card Fee | $19.00 | $9.50 |
| Student Services | $183.00 | $91.50 |
| Student Spaces | $100.00 | $50.00 |
| *Supply Fee (Taxed) | $136.00 | - |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $220.00 | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $70.00 | - |
| CSI - Student Welcome Kit Fee (optional) | $75.00 | - |
| CSI Student Events Fee (optional) | $70.00 | $35.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $10.00 | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $18640.46 | $8589.39 |
| Year Total | $27229.85 |
*The fee listed is for the current academic term and is subject to change. Confirmed costs will appear on your registration invoice. For the most up-to-date eText and course materials pricing, please refer to your personalized booklist.
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
Program device & software requirements
This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.
view device requirementsFinancial assistance
Awards & scholarships
Student Financial Services awarded more than 400 awards, scholarships and bursaries last year.
Delivery sequence - August 2026 - Brantford
| FALL | WINTER | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Class |