Long distance truck driving can be tough. You’re away from home for days, sometimes weeks at a time. This is changing as employers recognize the need for family life, more so since government regulations have limited the number of hours a truck driver can be behind the wheel each week. Whilst truck driving can be a tough life, it can certainly be an interesting and rewarding life.

Smart truck drivers plan their career. They work the long distance routes when they are young, earning the big dollars wherever possible, in order to buy their first home and to set themselves up for family life. Many of these drivers then seek regular local work that has them home each night to enjoy their family life. I say “many” since quite a few drivers find themselves really enjoying life as a long distance trucker.

What does it take to be a long distance truck driver? That’s a tough question since every person is different, and it’s hard to quantify the traits required. Truck driving is truck driving – long distance truck drivers spend hours on the road, in a cab, on their own. But then, so too do local drivers, it’s just the hours aren’t quite as long. Long distance and local truck drivers both require CDL’s, road sense, and an ability to work to a tight schedule.

Home time is the big difference. Can you survive in a job that takes you away from home for long periods? Truck driving is not the only career that has this requirement. The military, mining, oil platforms and the sea all have similar effects on home life. If you’re young, carefree (or just carefree), then life as a long distance truck driver could be perfect for you.

Work places are not the same, especially in industries like construction and mining. These industries often have special situations that call for specific skills, skills that are not always readily available in the general workforce. To cater to the needs of these workplaces, employers are often forced to recruit employees who are well suited to the situation, and to then train them in the specific skills required.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has a long history of working with employers to deliver training that meets these specific needs. Our training can be designed specifically for your work environment and the equipment or work required. We deliver training in areas such as:

• NCCCO Crane Operator Training, Testing and Certification
• OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person Training, Testing and Qualification
• NCCER Heavy Equipment Training, Testing and Qualification
• Class-A CDL Commercial Driver Training, Testing and Licensing

Our instructors are certified and they work from the latest in training methods, up-to-date curricula, and where necessary, to national accreditation standards. Training can be delivered on-site, or in our training facilities. Designing a training program to meet specific requirements can be challenging, however, our instructors are experienced and work closely with employers to ensure that training meets their needs, the regulatory requirements, and any specific requirements such as insurance.

If you require specialized training for your workplace, contact us to discuss your needs. Our long history of success (over 40 years) is based on customer satisfaction and industry relationships we have built. By working closely with industry, national accreditation organizations, and regulatory authorities, and we are able to deliver no matter how specialized your requirements.

General employment across the United States has been patchy over the last 12 months. Some sectors are definitely growing, and one of those sectors is the construction industry. This has led to an increase in demand for heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers. As these workers are drawn into the construction industry, the demand for these workers in non-construction areas increases.

This makes for a great environment for those looking to get a start as heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers. If you’re interested in a great well-paid career in any of these areas, contact us for more information on training. As an example, you can complete a heavy equipment training program in as little as three weeks and be ready to start your new career. Each week we publish job vacancies that have been listed on our job site. This week’s jobs include:

Crane Operator Job Vacancies

• San Jose, CA – The employer requires two certified Crane Operators.
• Tulsa, OK – Bridge Crane Operator: local Company in the Tulsa area is in immediate need of a Bridge Crane Operator.
• San Marcos, TX – Hiring tower crane operators
• Hamilton, TX – Hiring tower crane operators
• New Mexico – Hydraulic crane operator required for a seven-month project
• Anchorage, AK – Offshore Crane Operator and Riggers
• Driver – CDL – Crane/Boom: Requires a crane or boom operator certification. Operating a Boom or Crane.

Truck Driver Job Vacancies

• San Antonio, TX – Class A CDL drivers required – Home every night
• Nashville, TN – Class A CDL Truck Driver $1000 and home every week – Pays to $800-$1200.
• Kill Devil Hills, NC – Delivery Driver (CDL Class A) Full Time – Job Requirements Valid CDL
• Detroit, MI – CDL A Driver Hours: TBD (Full-Time) Pay: Pay by mile
• Fort Worth, TX – CDL Class A Regional Truck Drivers required
• Eagan, MN – The company is hiring new CDL-A drivers.
• Sun Prairie, WI – Brandon will be recruiting drivers for Swift Trans in the DDS Classroom on 09/04/2012 at 4 PM.
• Class A CDL Driver – HOME EVERY NIGHT! – SYSCO, Inc., 19.00 per hour.

Heavy Equipment Operator Job Vacancies

• Fargo, ND – The company hiring Heavy Equipment Operators, Starting at $20-$22/hr.
• All Round Operators Needed in WA.
• Production Excavator Operators EX2500+ experience essential.
• Mining, Oil & Gas – WA

If any of these jobs interest you then visit our jobs site for more information. Check back regularly as employers are regularly listing new job vacancies.