Equipment Operator (Excavator)
Learn to operate a hydraulic excavator safely and productively, from pre-start checks through trenching and grading.
What you will learn
Our excavator course puts you in the seat from day one. You will cover machine walk-arounds and pre-start inspections, controls and travel, trenching to grade, slope and batter work, loading trucks, and safe working around utilities and people.
Training is delivered on active-standard equipment by operators who run these machines on real Lone Star Civil sites.
Who it is for
Must be 18 or older. No prior experience required.
What you leave with
Lone Star Civil Excavator Operator Certificate
U.S. Department of Labor
Counts toward: Operating Engineer
O*NET-SOC 47-2073.00 · Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
This course is one related-instruction block toward the Operating Engineer Registered Apprenticeship occupation. The full DOL-recognized apprenticeship for this occupation runs 4,000-6,000 hrs of combined on-the-job training and related instruction (a hybrid standard).
- Full apprenticeship term
- 4,000-6,000 hrs
- Typical apprentice wage
- $21-$24/hr
Upcoming intakes
Sep 21, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026
Two weeks, Mon to Fri, 7:00am - 3:30pm (weekend off) · San Antonio, TX
10 seats left
Enrolling now
Sep 28, 2026 – Oct 22, 2026
4 weeks, Mon to Fri, 7:00am - 3:30pm (weekends off) · San Antonio, TX
10 seats left
Enrolling now
Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 28, 2026
Two weeks, Mon to Fri, 7:00am - 3:30pm (weekend off) · San Antonio, TX
10 seats left
Enrolling now
Oct 26, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026
4 weeks, Mon to Fri, 7:00am - 3:30pm (weekends off) · San Antonio, TX
10 seats left
Enrolling now