Jeffrey Imbrescia, CEO and President of DEC, Invest Pittsburgh Interview
March 10, 2026
HENG
HENG
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND CDL WITH SAFETY
AND NATURAL GAS PROGRAM
AND NATURAL GAS PROGRAM
DIPLOMA PROGRAM
This program provides students with hands-on experience operating heavy equipment along with knowledge of the natural gas and oilfield industries. Students will be familiarized with the unique terminology used throughout the industry and will participate in an internationally recognized safety program. The students will be prepared to sit for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CDL Class “A” and tanker endorsement permit. Upon obtaining their permits, students will be given hands-on experience driving a commercial vehicle in preparation for taking their Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CDL Class “A” and tanker endorsement examination, and will be afforded the opportunity to take the exam as a part of the course.
ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY.
CDL TRAINING
The natural gas and oil industries are in need of skilled workers who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This Program fulfills not only classroom requirements, but also off road practice, needed to sit for the Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement exam. Learning by doing… students also practice defensive driving techniques.
Students learn:
- High Traffic Training
- Executing Backing Maneuvers
- Daily Log Books
- Drive Planned Routes
- Pre-Trip Truck
- Map & Plan Routes
- Perform Highway, Rural & Intercity Driving Techniques
This Program features Truck Driving Simulators (SafeSim CDL Simulators) to assist students in becoming more familiar with driving techniques prior to getting on the roadway.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Providing high quality experience on machines that are most commonly used in the natural gas and oilfield industries is a key skill set to have, especially in various types of terrain. Instruction on the importance of safety both while operating and being in the vicinity of heavy equipment, reading and understanding blueprints and site layouts, and performing basic maintenance on heavy equipment will be taught.
In compliance with OSHA regulations, students also have the opportunity to obtain certifications of completion in the following areas:
Students learn to operate:
- Forklift
- Bulldozer
- Mini Excavator
- Backhoe
Students will begin to learn the basic foundation for excavating and trenching techniques, as well as prepare locations for well pads and pipeline routes. Students learn:
- Site Clearing
- Stacking
- Loading / Unloading
FACULTY
CLICK TO EXPAND
+ WILLIAM WALLACE, Lead Instructor of Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety Program
Heavy Construction Equipment Operator’s Certificate, Universal Heavy Construction School
Commercial Driver’s License
+ HEAVEN CALDWELL, Coordinator of CDL Program
Certificate, Commercial Driver’s License, Douglas Education Center
Commercial Driver’s License
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities are expanding tremendously due to the Marcellus Shale development, and are both abundant and long lasting. Don’t be surprised to find that you can apply what you are learning immediately to your job. The Natural Gas, CDL and Heavy Equipment skills learned within this program can be applied to many industries within and beyond natural gas and oil, including construction and manufacturing to name a few.
Career Opportunities Include:
- Roustabout
- Floor Hand
- Frac Equipment Operator
- Well Tender
- Shop Tech
- Reverse Unit Operator
- Wireline Operator
- Sand & Water Hauler
- CDL Driver
- Cement Operator
- Over-the-Road (OTR) Driver
- Regional Truck Driver
- Local Truck Driver
- Heavy Equipment Operator
