Jobs & Hope WV celebrates Heavy Equipment Operator Course graduates at 2026 Construction & Design Expo
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jobs & Hope West Virginia (Jobs & Hope WV) celebrated the graduation of seven students from its Heavy Equipment Operator Course (HEOC) during the 2026 Construction & Design Expo hosted by the Contractors Association of West Virginia. The graduation ceremony highlighted the continued success of the program and its role in preparing West Virginians for in-demand careers in the construction industry.
Through a partnership with the West Virginia Military Authority and the West Virginia National Guard, Jobs & Hope WV offers a 28-day Heavy Equipment Operator Course designed to prepare participants for careers in heavy equipment operation and construction.
The ceremony featured remarks from Michael DeMers, deputy secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation; Jason Pizatella, chief operating officer of the Contractors Association of West Virginia; and Brig. Gen. Gene Holt, director of the West Virginia Military Authority, who all praised the graduates’ achievements and the program’s impact on workforce development in the state.
Holding the graduation during the Construction & Design Expo provided graduates with an opportunity to connect directly with employers, industry leaders and workforce partners while strengthening pathways to employment.
March 2026 HEOC graduates
Seven students successfully completed the March 2026 Heavy Equipment Operator Course, including:
Jobs & Hope WV participants (5):
- Five Jobs & Hope WV participants, including two veterans
Mountaineer Job ChalleNGe Program cadets (2):
- Two Mountaineer Job ChalleNGe Program cadets
About the Heavy Equipment Operator Course
The Heavy Equipment Operator Course is an intensive, residential workforce training program designed to provide participants with technical skills, safety knowledge and workforce readiness needed for successful careers in the construction industry.
Program offerings include:
- Intensive 28-day, hands-on training
- OSHA-10 safety certification
- First aid certification
- Resume and interview preparation
- Expert instruction with a tailored curriculum led by professional instructors
Additional program components include:
- 214 total instructional hours
- Seven courses offered annually
- Training on dozers, excavators, backhoes and graders
- Workplace safety training
- Job placement assistance
Since launching in 2019, the Heavy Equipment Operator Course has trained 351 individuals, achieving an average employment rate exceeding 60% following completion of training. The program is supported by eight instructors, five of whom are veterans, bringing real-world experience and leadership to the training environment.
Participants in the HEOC program include Jobs & Hope WV participants and cadets from the Mountaineer Job ChalleNGe Program, strengthening workforce readiness across multiple pathways in West Virginia.
Partnership supports workforce development
Jobs & Hope WV extends appreciation to the Contractors Association of West Virginia for hosting the graduation during the Construction & Design Expo and supporting workforce development initiatives that create employment opportunities for West Virginians.
Graduations like this reflect the strength of partnerships among Jobs & Hope WV, the West Virginia Military Authority, the West Virginia National Guard and industry partners committed to building a skilled workforce and supporting economic growth across the state.
About Jobs & Hope WV
Jobs & Hope West Virginia is a statewide program that provides participants with a pathway to career employment by removing barriers to employment. Through partnerships, training opportunities and supportive services, Jobs & Hope WV helps individuals gain the skills, credentials and confidence needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
Media Contact:
Matthew Holstein
Strategic Relations Agent
Jobs & Hope West Virginia
matthew.holstein@k12.wv.us
