Shown, from left to right: Antwane Davis, Michael Ballard, Eddi Ridley, instructor, David Honey, Jason Harp, Joseph Simpson, and Harry Hawkins, program coordinator (not pictured Joshua Farr).
Six students completed a six-week heavy equipment operator course offered by the Continuing Education Department at Chattanooga State Community College. The participants gained the knowledge, plus hands-on skill and ability required to safely and efficiently operate specific types of heavy construction equipment.
Graduates of the program are Michael Ballard, Antwane Davis, Joshua Farr, Jason Harp, David Honey, and Joseph Simpson. Two of the graduates Antwane Davis and Joshua Farr are from Knoxville.
Classes met on the main campus of Chattanooga State and at an off-campus site, USA Concrete on Hudson Road. The students learned how to operate basic pieces of heavy equipment like a bulldozer, a skid steer, a forklift, a track-hoe, a backhoe, and a dump truck. Stowers Machinery, a local Caterpillar dealer in Chattanooga, provided equipment.
The students worked through the National Center for Construction Education and Research textbooks and successfully took tests in the classroom to prepare for NCCER certification exam. In addition, they spent four weeks operating the equipment in a real-world setting.
These latest graduates are distributing resumes and currently searching for work. The next classes starts May 20. Class size is limited to 12 students. However. there are still a few spots open. For further information or to enroll in the program, contact Harry Hawkins at 423 697-3100 or harry.hawkins@chattanoogastate.edu.