Dig into your future: Build a solid career in Heavy Equipment!
Think about it—roads, schools, stadiums, and skyscrapers all rely on skilled heavy equipment operators to make them possible. These pros shape the ground beneath our cities, moving dirt and aggregate to create a solid foundation for everything we build. Without them, construction would literally fall apart.
At CLC, our Heavy Equipment program is all about hands-on learning. Whether you choose the one-year or two-year track, your “classroom” will be our massive outdoor training lab. Here, you’ll master excavators, dozers, skid steers, and other powerful machines while gaining the skills to keep them running strong. You’ll also earn your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Sure, learning heavy equipment takes grit—but with our expert instructors guiding you, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to succeed. Join us and start building the future—one bucket load at a time.
Fast Facts
- In our program you will earn an OSHA 10-hour safety card, a Class A CDL, an American Red Cross/CPR/AED certification, and a Minnesota aggregate production certification.
- You will learn to maintain and operate a front-end loader, backhoe, excavator, skid steer, haul truck, dozer and motor grader.
- You will hone your skills in our expansive 360-acre lab.

Get-hands on experience in the only 360-acre sandbox in the state!
US Annual Job Openings 41,500
Currently Employed
468,000


The CLC Promise
Central Lakes College promises to provide you with an extraordinary education
that is affordable, accessible and enhances quality of your life.
Program Instructors
Photo | First Name | Last Name | Position | Department | Phone | Alt. Phone: | URL | wdt_ID | Details | |
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Aubrey | Beadell | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | (218) 855-8014 | aubrey.beadell@clcmn.edu | 1 | More details | ||
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Nick | O'Reilly | Occupational Skills Program College Lab Assistant | OccupationalSkills | 218-855-8077 | Nicholas.oreilly@clcmn.edu | 2 | More details | ||
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Kevin | Lomax | Automotive Lab Assistant | Automotive Faculty | 218-855-8000 | KLomax@clcmn.edu | 3 | More details | ||
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Jody | Flynn | Accessibility Services Assistant | Accessibility | 218-855-8056 | jody.flynn@clcmn.edu | 5 | More details | ||
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Deana | Bobzien | Instructor | CollegeCareerStudies - Mathematics - Supportive Services | 218-855-8339 | deana.bobzien@clcmn.edu | 7 | More details | ||
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Brianna | Rajkowski | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | 218-855-8228 | brianna.rajkowski@clcmn.edu | 8 | More details | ||
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Tajia | Anderson | PSEO Specialist | Admissions - CollegeCreditInHighSchool- PSEO | (218) 855-8079 | tajia.anderson@clcmn.edu | 10 | More details | ||
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David | Gray | Instructor | History | 218-855-8189 | david.gray@clcmn.edu | 14 | More details | ||
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Jim | Nagy | Adjunct Instructor | GraphicDesign | 218-855-8157 | james.nagy@clcmn.edu | 15 | More details | ||
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Brandon | Schneider | Instructor | HeavyEquipment | 218-894-5179 | brandon.schneider@clcmn.edu | 16 | More details | ||
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Natalia | DePauw | Director of Dual Enrollment | PSEO - CollegeCreditInHighSchool - Advising | 218-855-8263 | natalia.depauw@clcmn.edu | 18 | More details | ||
Amy | Disterhaupt | Admissions Specialist | Admissions | 218-855-8250 | amy.disterhaupt@clcmn.edu | 20 | More details | |||
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Nick | Heisserer | Dean of Brainerd Career & Technical Programs | Administration | 218-855-8067 | nick.heisserer@clcmn.edu | 21 | More details | ||
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Matthew | Krueger | Environmental Health and Safety Officer | Maintenance - Security - Safety | 218-855-8115 | matthew.krueger@clcmn.edu | 22 | More details | ||
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Mark | Lindquist | Instructor | Music | 218-855-8203 | mark.lindquist@clcmn.edu | 23 | More details | ||
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Jeremy | Goddard | Bookstore/Print Shop | Bookstore Supportive Services | 218-855-8146 | Jeremy.Goddard@clcmn.edu | 25 | More details | ||
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Sarah | Jennissen | Instsructor | NursingAssistant - PracticalNursing - TrainedMedicationAid | 218-894-5308 | sarah.jennissen@clcmn.edu | 26 | More details | ||
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Cash | Robinson | Academic Advisor | TRIOUpwardBound - Advising | 218-855-8035 | cash.robinson@clcmn.edu | 28 | More details | ||
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Ryan | Wright | Enrollment Representative | Admissions - CampusTours | 218-855-8013 | ryan.wright@clcmn.edu | 31 | More details | ||
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Steve | Wenzel | Instructor | PoliticalScience | 218-855-8073 | stephen.wenzel@clcmn.edu | 32 | More details | ||
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Julie | Woitalla | Instructor | NursingASDegree - PracticalNursing | 218-855-8168 | julie.woitalla@clcmn.edu | 33 | More details | ||
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Josh | Zaborowski | Upward Bound Advisor | TRIOUpwardBound - Assessment | 218-855-8032 | joshua.zaborowski@clcmn.edu | 35 | More details | ||
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Paul | Zimmerman | Instructor | Diesel Faculty | 218-894-5143 | paul.zimmerman@clcmn.edu | 36 | More details | ||
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Ed | Uhlenkamp | Instructor | FarmBusinessManagement | 218-894-5160 | edward.uhlenkamp@clcmn.edu | https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/ShowForm.aspx?RequestedDynamicFormTemplate=32c40b45-028c-46d6-9f79-9c1edc503713 | 38 | More details | |
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James | Velde | Instructor | FarmBusinessManagement | 218-234-3981 | james.velde@clcmn.edu | https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/ShowForm.aspx?RequestedDynamicFormTemplate=cff3bff4-005f-4f5c-82a8-4c6aed02c8e9 | 39 | More details |
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*Source: CareerOneStop – US Dept. of Labor