Earlier this week we posted about Vermeer’s HDD training Program with the Des Moines Area Community College 
(DMACC). Today we’ll take a closer look at the most frequently asked questions about this new program.
What is Vermeer HDD Circuit program?
The Vermeer HDD Circuit training program is a tuition-based, two-week instructor-led program that provides a mix of classroom time with hands-on experience in a small-group learning environment for anyone interested in a career in the growing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.
During each two-week course, students are exposed to topics on HDD safety, jobsite evaluation and setup, drilling operation best practices, underground utility locating and potholing best practices, drilling fluid mixing and testing, proper bore and pullback techniques including the development of a bore plan, as well as basic drill maintenance and inspection.
The curriculum covers all aspects of horizontal directional drill operation from walking the bore plan, potholing, creating the bore plan, mixing the mud, proper drill maintenance and actual hands-on time with the drill. The goal of the training program is that each student who successfully completes the program will be able to be a productive drill operator. HDD Circuit program students must complete and pass a written test and hands-on evaluation in order to finish the program and become a certified HDD operator.
The goal of Vermeer is for students to leave the training program very confident in their abilities to operate a drill, use a locator and communicate with fellow crew members, as well as get more people into the industry.
Why should I consider a career in horizontal directional drilling?
For several years, Vermeer has received feedback from its customers and dealer network that there is a need for qualified operators in the horizontal directional drilling industry. Existing contractors are having difficulty completing work or taking on new business due to lack of qualified drill operators. With HDD Circuit program, Vermeer is working to help grow the industry and cultivate a pool of potential drill operators that will make HDD a career.
How does HDD Circuit program differ from other training programs?
Vermeer limits training classes to eight individuals, so each locator-operator team gets one-on-one attention from a drilling expert. During the two-week HDD Circuit program, each locator-operator team will get approximately 40 hours of classroom time and 40 hours of hands-on experience — 20 hours locating and 20 hours operating the drill in the field.
The curriculum focuses on setup, safety, transportation, preparation and execution. To help prepare crew members for real jobsite challenges, the demo site utilizes a designated utility zone where the students will locate and vacuum excavate these utilities instead of using dummy setups. Participants will learn how to pothole and locate these utilities, load a trailer, set up a drill, mix and test drilling mud, create a bore plan and pullback actual product.
We recognize that not every ground condition or situation a drill operator may face in the field will be present during the training. What we’re teaching is how to fundamentally be an operator and/or locator, so participants start to know what to look for, what to feel for and how to properly handle situations.
What equipment will be used during the training?
Class participants will learn to use a Vermeer D20x22 S3 Navigator® HDD, a Vermeer MX240 mixing system, a McLaughlin vacuum excavator and DCI® F5 locator. Since telematics are a growing trend, participants will be exposed to the Vermeer bore planning tools and Vermeer BoreAssist productivity tools. Vermeer will also teach participants how to create bore plans by hand, in case they don’t have access to the software once they return home.
What is the importance of the certified HDD operator designation?
Each student that successfully completes the HDD Circuit program will be classified as a certified HDD operator. Other HDD training programs provide participants with a certificate of completion. However, due to the partnership with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), HDD Circuit program is now the only certified HDD operator training program of its kind in the nation. This means contractors employing individuals who have completed the HDD Circuit training program know they have received extensive training and can walk a bore, plan to bore, set up a bore and complete a bore.
Vermeer has partnered with DMACC to certify the HDD Circuit program curriculum. DMACC is an accredited two-year college and their administration reviewed, approved and agreed to include the HDD Circuit program curriculum as part of the college’s academic non-credit class offering beginning fall 2016.
Who will lead the training?
Vermeer will provide instructors with extensive directional drill operating experience to lead and provide all of the hands-on experience and classroom training at our training site in Pella, Iowa.
How often will the training be offered?
Vermeer plans to hold one two-week class almost every month from March through November.
How can veterans use their GI Bill benefits to attend the training program?
DMACC and Vermeer worked with the Veterans Administration to review and certify the HDD Circuit program curriculum. Because the HDD Circuit training program is now certified by the Veterans Administration, veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to help cover the cost of tuition and lodging, in addition to making employers eligible for partial wage reimbursement once hired. This provides an opportunity for veterans to obtain training and help address the shortage of drill operators in the industry.
Can someone exploring a career change enroll in HDD Circuit program?
The answer is yes. Now that HDD Circuit program is certified by DMACC, anyone looking for a career in the construction industry can enroll in HDD Circuit program and receive training.
What happens when a trainee goes back home and has a question?
The Vermeer training team follows up with program attendees to see how things are going after they return home. If the crews have questions, Vermeer can help address those, as well as refer them back to their HDD Circuit training program manuals. Attendees are also supported, following the class, by their local Vermeer dealer.
How do individuals register for an HDD Circuit training program session?
Interested individuals should go to Vermeer.com to learn more about the HDD Circuit training program. To register for an upcoming training session, the interested individual will click on a link and be redirected to the DMACC registration site or visit DMACC.edu. Here they can review the training schedule, select a training session and pay tuition fees.
What is the cost of the program?
Vermeer provides training on state-of-the-art machines and uses cutting edge technology to ensure the attendee is equipped with the right skills for the job. The cost of the two-week training program is $4,000 plus lodging and some select meals.
Who do I contact for more information?
To learn more about HDD Circuit program and register for an upcoming training class, go online at Vermeer.com or DMACC.edu or contact Vermeer at HDDCircuit@Vermeer.com.