There are tens of thousands of people sitting at home right now, all pondering a possible career change. Some are unemployed following the economic downturn that hit us all pretty hard while others are just bored or fed up with their current career and looking for a change. Associated Training Services (ATS) have, since 1959, helped thousands achieve new careers in either heavy equipment operations, truck driving, or crane operations – perhaps we can help you to build a new career.

The construction industry is one of the biggest employers of skilled operators of heavy equipment, cranes, and trucks, and while it too has its ups and downs, it is one of the first to recover from any recession. You only have to look at the billions of dollars the federal and state government have thrown into building new roads and bridges to see this. As the economy improves, factories, homes, and commercial centers are developed, all needing these skilled workers.

ATS prides itself on the reputation it has built over the last 50+ years. Quality is the key as our instructional staff, curriculum, equipment, and facilities all come together to deliver well-trained operators to industry. For students, we offer a variety of payment options, housing assistance for the duration of your training, and a well-trained career services department designed to help you find that all-important first job.

If you are interested in looking a little closer at a career as a truck driver, crane operator or heavy equipment operator, then contact us for more information. You can also call to arrange a visit to one of our training schools to see first hand what is involved with the training and the career options available to you.

Some people like to grumble about the classroom side of heavy equipment training. I can understand that students want to spend as much time as possible behind the controls gaining experience. However, there are some issues that require classroom time, and heavy equipment safety is one of those issues.

If you have any doubts about the importance of heavy equipment safety, there are two avenues worth looking at. The first are the requirements set down by federal and state legislators. Safety in the workplace has become a real political issue and the end result is fairly tough requirements for employers. That leads us to the second avenue that you can check – the job descriptions for heavy equipment operators.

Here are some examples of what one employer (City of Duluth MN) has including in one of their job descriptions:

I have been picky in that list since the job requirements run to two pages. However, you can see the importance of safety particularly in the last point. This requires employees to not only work in a safe manner, but to also have knowledge of the safety laws and regulations as they apply to their work.

If you are considering undertaking heavy equipment training, be sure to ask about the safety component before signing on the dotted line. State and federal governments expect safe work places. Employers know that unsafe work practices will result in big fines. Therefore, they generally only recruit employees who can demonstrate heavy equipment safety knowledge so the only path worth taking is training that includes a thorough look at heavy equipment safety.

If you have a desire to become a crane operator, then your first step should be to research the best crane operator training schools. Crane operations go far beyond just pushing levers to raise and lower a cable with a load on it. There are safety aspects to be considered. You need to know how to stabilize your crane before you even start to lift, and you need to be able calculate the best way to move a load given its weight and the conditions.

There are many different ways to learn how to operate any equipment. You can have a friend teach you, or you can just teach yourself. However, you are really only learning how to push those levers. This means you may be able to operate a crane, but you’re definitely not a crane operator. In fact, you now require certification before you can step onto a crane and no employer will look at you without that certification.

When looking for a crane operator training school, look for those that have a long history of successfully training operators. You should also look for those that offer certification as a crane operator as well. The best crane operator training combines in-class and in-the-cab training that gives you both the skills and knowledge to work effectively as a crane operator.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has been in the business of training for over 40 years. They offer crane operator training and certification for both new entrants and old hands looking to refresh their skills (and gain certification). If you are looking for quality training to kick start your crane operator career, look no further – ATS have the experience and follow-up services that will give you every opportunity to not just obtain a certification, but to find employment as well.