Career opportunities for new crane operator training graduates are looking good for at least the next five years with strong growth expected across all construction areas. Crane operators are particularly fortunate when you consider how diverse the opportunities are. Whilst construction absorbs a large proportion of new graduates, manufacturing also offers opportunities in the form of overhead crane operators whilst general lifting also offers opportunities in the form of mobile crane operations.

Employment can be sporadic through the winter months in some areas as construction grinds to a halt due to weather. Opportunities do open during these periods in southern states where weather may have a smaller impact on construction.

There are opportunities to be had in areas that many forget to include in their job seeking strategies. Ports rely a lot on the use of cranes. These are specialist cranes for which specialist training may be required. That training is generally built on the foundations of basic training, skills and experience that a crane operator will have developed operating standard cranes.

Rail companies, shipping companies and trucking companies often make use of crane operators. Cranes can be found mounted on rail wagons, barges and in some freight centers. These are all areas where you could find employment opportunities.

Given the diversity of work places that use crane operators and the strong growth in construction, career opportunities for new crane operator training graduates is strong. By undertaking a recognized crane operator training program and satisfying the certification criteria, you will be well placed to take advantage of the many opportunities that are currently available.

Think of a wheel loader and you probably think of the loaders you see running around a construction site loading rubble onto dump trucks. They do a great job too but did you know they were the teens of the family? The bobcat is probably the baby of the family and just like a baby that has learned to crawl, they zip all around the place – always under your feet.

If the bobcat is the baby of the family, you should see the grandpappy of the family. Compact loaders weigh in at around 10,000 pounds and draw around 50 horse power. The grandpappy’s weigh as much as 430,000 pounds and draw as much as 1500 horse power. That is one big machine – do the maths. That’s 43 times larger and 30 times more powerful.

Wheel loaders of that size of course are used in specialist roles such as mining and, yes, helping to move mountains – large hills anyway. One scoop load would fill a standard dump truck with plenty to spill over. Imagine the size of the wheels!

While these machines are giants in their class, the skills needed to operate them are not much greater than those required to operate a standard loader. Experience is the key to operating a machine of this size and that experience starts with a wheel loader training program that prepares you for the workplace.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools may not get you into the cab of one of these monsters straight away. They will, however, provide the training that can get you into the cab of a standard wheel loader where you can start to build the experience required. Discover more about our wheel loader training programs and the opportunities that await.

There is a lot more to being a crane operator than most people realize and crane operator training can be rather involved. When we see a crane at work, all we see is a load going up and an empty hook coming down – sometimes it can be the reverse – an empty hook going up and a full load coming down. To get the crane into a position where it can safely perform that task is often the more complicated part of a crane operator’s job.

A crane operator’s job can be broken down into four components. Equipment maintenance; equipment setup and dismantle; job and risk assessment; and lifting. Looking at each of these individually:

Crane maintenance: This is the more mundane part of the job. Regular walk around inspections ensuring that nothing is showing signs of wear and tear is one component. Another regular part of the job is ensuring that all fluid levels are right and that all movable parts receive regular lubricants.

Crane setup and dismantle: This is one of the most vital parts of a crane operator’s job. In fact, the crane operators own ‘life could depend on how well he sets up the equipment. Cranes work on a theory of balance and counter balance. If the crane is not set rigidly in place and well balanced, the weight of the load could for the crane to tip over. Crane operators may also need to assemble some components. Tower crane operators will always need to assemble and disassemble various parts of their own machine.

Job and risk assessment: This is an ongoing activity that should be percolating around an operator’s mind at all times. Prior to the job starting, the operator should assess the loads that need lifting, the weight of the load, and any environmental factors such as wind. Risk assessment goes hand in hand with job assessent – every part of the lift is assessed for any possible dangers.

The lift: After all that, the lift will come as an anticlimax – at least, if you have done every thing right up to this point. If everything else is right – the lift should be completed with minimal fuss.

Crane operators are well paid and have a very serious role to play on construction sites. Is this the career for you? Find out more about crane operator training . You never know, you could be on your way to a new career today.

Do you like adventure? If so a career as a bulldozer operator may be just the ticket. There is plenty of reliable and steady work available for bulldozer operators. There is also a lot of work available for those who like variety.

Bulldozers are versatile machines. You could be working for a couple days out in the back blocks somewhere clearing land for farming. Your next job could be in the middle of the city clearing rubble from a demolition site, or out on new stretch of highway that is being built.

As a bulldozer operator you get to see and participate in all sides of a construction saga – the construction, the demolition and the reconstruction. Life is never dull, life is never boring and if you like to do a little traveling then a bulldozer career can offer it.

If you are tired of the monotony of sitting behind a desk or walking a factory floor then getting out and about in the sun could be the change you are looking for. As a bulldozer operator I can promise you one thing, you will see plenty of sun, a little rain and perhaps even a little snow.

Bulldozer operators are well paid compared to many other workers and with a steady flow of work currently available there is little chance of being laid off through lack of work. Training to become a bulldozer operator can be completed in as little as three weeks. With the amount of work available at present you could be employed in a new career within a month of starting your training.

If you are sick of your current job, consider a career as a bulldozer operator. If you are looking for bulldozer training designed to get you started – look no further. We have exactly what you need. The only thing missing is you.

An interesting question that was put to me today by a youngster. Is an excavator operator just an excavator? Likewise, is a grader operator just a grader? I was waiting for that logic to flow through – is a bulldozer operator a bulldozer?

An excavator is someone who digs holes like trenches. The excavator, as a machine, is also something that digs holes like trenches. However, the person who is an excavator can dig trenches in many different ways. They can use a machine like an excavator or backhoe; they can use a shovel; they could even use a teaspoon – don’t laugh, some do when dealing with archeological excavations.

The catch, of course, is that although the person who is an excavator can use any number of implements, they may not necessarily be trained, qualified, or capable of operating an excavation machine. Excavator operators, on the other hand, can use a shovel or teaspoon to dig a trench.

With that conclusion in mind, excavator operators are excavators – however, excavators are not necessarily excavator operators. At least, not until they have received their excavator operator training.

Confused? No – good. Are you an excavator or an excavator operator? Children seem to spend half their childhood as excavators. Once they start to grow up, they leave the excavating behind them. If you have still got the excavator in you and you’re looking for a career that is interesting and well paid, consider the life of an excavator operator. You already know how to dig – learn how to do it on a machine instead.

Do you know the difference between a mobile crane, a tower crane and an overhead crane? Do you know what the training requirements are for each? Careers are often built on dreams yet the reality is often quite different to what we dream about. There are many little boys that grow up wanting to be the operator of a crane that sits on top of a skyscraper – it’s possible, if you know what the requirements are.

Mobile Crane:

Mobile cranes are the cranes you commonly see driving around. As the name suggests, they are quite mobile and generally registered and insured to drive on public highways. The skills required to operate a mobile crane will obviously include driver training. Apart from driving the mobile crane, you will also need training that fulfills the requirements of the NCCCO. In some states you will need certification to prove you have the skills and knowledge required to operate a mobile crane.

Tower crane:

Tower cranes are the cranes you commonly see on building construction sites. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Operating the more complex self erecting cranes will come with experience. Training to become a tower crane operator is similar to that of a mobile crane operator. Emphasis, however, is placed on features relevant to the tower crane. You are still required to sit an assessment for certification through the NCCCO.

Overhead crane:

Overhead cranes are cranes that typically run on tracks overhead – hence the name. Operation could be from a specialized cab to remote controls. The training required to be an overhead crane operator is different again to that of a mobile or tower crane operator. Assessment and certification is also a requirement in many states.

There is a common thread that runs through each of these cranes and it starts with your crane operator training. You can start life as a mobile crane operator and over time gain experience and further training that allows you to branch out into either tower crane operations or overhead crane operations. If your dream is to become a crane operator then start your career with one of the best mobile crane operator training organizations in the country.

Heavy equipment technology is a little like new car technology. It doesn’t matter what they do under the hood or inside the cab, operating the equipment (or car) is still the same. Many of the changes we see now relate to computerized components, the use of lasers and GPS, or the addition of new tools.

The introduction of laser or GPS technology often requires a little training to operate effectively, however, the equipment still operates in the same fashion. Like a car, if you add a GPS device, you will need to learn how to operate the device. The car will still be driven using the existing skills.

The addition of tools is a different matter. Here you may need to learn a few new operator skills. Using the car analogy again, it would be similar to adding a boat or trailer – the basic operations remain the same, you just need to learn to drive with the load. With heavy equipment, the levers and pedals still do the same job, you just need to learn that new job.

Cranes are a good example of the introduction of new technology. You can add a lot of devices such as cameras and in-cab video screens, but the basic principles of lifting a load remain the same and the initial training you receive is still relevant.

When it comes to training for a career in heavy technology, it is not always possible to include every new device that has come onto the market. Backhoes and excavators have attachments that number into the hundreds. If you were to learn each and every one of them, it would probably take a year of training. Getting the basics right is the first step to a long career as a heavy equipment operator. As heavy equipment technology arrives, you undertake training only if it is appropriate. The bottom line – there is no change to your normal operating practices.

Are you considering a career as crane operator but worried about the cost? Why not check out the financial aid that may be available to help pay for your crane operator training. In fact, taking up a financial assistance package may be the best move you ever make. Crane operators are amongst the highest paid heavy equipment operators in the country which means your training will soon pay for itself many times over.

There are a number of different options available to you depending on your circumstances. There is government assistance available for some people all the way through to career loans available through the many financial institutions.

With loans through financial institutions, you can either approach them yourself or you can fill in one of our online application forms. ATS have several loan options, once we receive your application we can generally get back to you within 48 hours.

Government assistance may be available through the following programs:

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• Department of Workforce Development
• Trade Adjustment Act (TAA)
• Displaced Workers
• Displaced Farmers
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Tribal Education (BIA)
• Veteran’s Benefits (VA)

Crane operators enjoy good working conditions, a challenging job that rarely gets boring, a respected status amongst heavy equipment operators and construction workers in general, and lucrative pay schedule. Crane operator training is fairly intense with a strong focus on safety that is designed to prepare students to sit for the crane operator certification tests once training has been completed.

Financial aid is available to most people. If your next career move is into heavy equipment then contact us to determine what is available in the way of financial aid for crane operator training.

Becoming a crane operator is not as difficult as most people would imagine. The general impression is that crane operator training takes many months to complete and that it is a very difficult area to get a foothold in once training has been completed. This is not at all true, particularly when it comes to mobile crane operators.

You can complete a crane operator training program in as little as three weeks. This will depend on the training provider you select and the design of the training program. If you stop and think about it for a moment, operating a crane is not really all that difficult. The number of moves possible by a crane is actually fairly limited so there are not a million and one buttons, levers and pedals to remember.

The area of training that is probably most difficult are the safety aspect. This is where crane operator training is highly important. As I mentioned, the actual operation of a crane is very straightforward. Knowing the safety limits of your crane is not so straightforward since circumstances are always changing. Even wind has a major bearing on the safety of a crane.

So how do you become a crane operator? Your first step is to find a crane operator training provider who is accredited to deliver nationally recognized training. They should also be in a position to assess you and provide crane operator certification at the completion of your training. Whilst not compulsory in all states, it is in many of them. Being certified is also a selling point to becoming employed within the industry.

As far as getting your foot in the door once your training has been completed? A good training provider will also have a job placement program in place to help you gain that first job. In fact, when you look at all the facts, becoming a crane operator is not that difficult and doesn’t take months of study. If this is a career for you – what are you waiting for?

Changing careers can be a rather scary experience and this is particularly true if you try to do it without some type of job placement assistance. Before commencing training, your knowledge and life experiences have all centered around your previous career(s). For many just starting out in heavy equipment, they have little knowledge of the industry itself, let alone potential employers.

It’s not just knowing who the potential employers are. Once you have been in the industry for several years you become aware of who are good employers and who you need to steer away from. An industry specific job placement service already has this information – by the bucket load.

Training organizations such as ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have been able to build a reputation, not over years, but over decades, for providing well trained operators to the industry. ATS have also seen employers come and go with the more successful businesses providing good employment opportunities for graduates.

As a graduate of ATS you are able to access their job placement service and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and information they have been able to gather. There are employers that come to ATS when seeking new operators for their businesses. Why? Because of the reputation that ATS has.

If you are considering a career change to heavy equipment operations, be sure to check what post training assistance there is to help you find that first work opportunity. If they don’t offer a decent job placement service then I suggest you look at other training providers. The cost of heavy equipment training is not low – you need to ensure that every dollar you spend is used to its fullest -this includes making use of their heavy equipment job placement service.