Wind chill index

For those working outside, knowing the weather forecast is important. Also, having the proper gear for all seasons is essential to the health and safety of construction workers. But in the winter months, temperatures can be misleading. This is a closer look at how the wind chill index can come into play.

Low temperatures and cold weather should be of enough concern, but when the wind is factored in, it can often feel much colder. Wind gusts of 20 miles per hour can make 10 degrees feel like it is 9 below, so you need to be prepared for what the wind blows your way.

When there is wind present along with the colder temperatures, the National Weather Service will issue wind chill advisories or wind chill warnings. That is to alert individuals of the dangers present while outside in frigid conditions.

Tips for working in frigid conditions:

• Stay alert and watch for hazards
• Be attentive to coworkers and notice if they are experiencing difficulty
• Take breaks regularly, and find a warm place to spend a few minutes
• Sometimes it turns cold fast, so make sure you take the time for your body to acclimate to the weather conditions and temperatures
• If you have the ability to avoid working in the most extreme conditions, take the day off
• Drink warm beverages, such as coffee or hot tea, to help keep your body temperature up
• Layer up because wet clothing can harm your body

By making sure you are ready for what the winter weather throws your way, you can reduce the risk of physical harm to yourself or your crew.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, the construction industry had more than 375,000 job openings during July. A job opening is any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. According to the data, job openings in the construction industry increased by 22,000 during July and they are up 38,000 over the numbers for July 2021. That is a significant change in a year.

Also, during July, total construction starts rose 48 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.36 trillion, according to the Dodge Construction Network. The significant gain is because of the start of three large manufacturing plants and two LNG export facilities. But without those large projects, the total percentage of starts would have still increased by seven percent. Construction starts for nonresidential projects were up 79 percent in July, while nonbuilding starts jumped 120 percent.

This means that the demand for construction workers is not slowing down. If you are looking for a good career where there is job security, choosing a career in the construction industry may be the best move you could make in days of uncertainty. Many career fields see fluctuations or significant changes, but that is not the case with construction.

Associated Training Services offers a variety of programs that allows individuals to train for different roles in the construction industry. We also partner with companies to help them get trained employees to fill their job openings. Call us today to learn more about ATS and how we can help you.

The chief economist for Realtor.com has said that she expects home sales to hit a 16-year high this year. She said that she expects a record year for homebuyers, and trends show that competition is continuing to stay strong with demand outnumbering the available units.

According to Forbes, housing inventory is picking up at a record pace. For the third month in a row, listings increased with July listings up 30.7 percent. While buyers had more options when it came to buying, the competition remained in the sellers’ favor, according to experts.

While the U.S. housing market is growing toward a more level supply versus demand total, there is still a strong demand for more housing units. That means that the construction industry will remain in demand in the residential construction realm.

With a need for residential construction projects, there remains a strong need for skilled laborers and equipment operators in the construction industry. If you are looking for a new career with strong job opportunities, training as a heavy equipment operator or learning the different skill sets for a construction worker can be a real asset to your future.

Associated Training Services is a veteran-friendly school that is accredited and accepts GI bill funds to help you advance your career. Call us today at (800) 383-7364 to learn how we can help you take your career to the next level.

Everyone at Associated Training Services would like to thank you for a wonderful year and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to another fantastic year.

ATS Offerings

Heavy Equipment Training

We offer two levels of heavy equipment operator training which include the operation of backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, scrapers, all-terrain forklifts, motor graders, and articulated off-road dump trucks. These are the types of equipment most common in the industries which hire heavy equipment operators. These programs also include subject matter such as grade reading, grade stakes, laser levels, site plans, site layout, soils, and safety.

Crane Operator Training

We offer three levels of mobile crane operator training. These programs are designed to teach a person how to safely operate these cranes and to help the student get their certification through the Nation Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) ™.

LEVEL ONE

• Small Hydraulic Cranes
• Large Hydraulic Cranes
  

LEVEL TWO

• LEVEL TWO
• Lattice Boom Cranes
• Articulated Boom Cranes

LEVEL THREE

• Tower Cranes
• Digger Derricks

Truck Driver Training

A Class-A CDL helps ATS graduates secure employment as heavy equipment or crane operator. This license allows a person to haul their heavy equipment to a job site or drive a mobile crane on public roadways. These truck driving programs teach a person the basic skills and knowledge needed to drive a Class-A commercial vehicle and to get their Class-A CDL license. Students entering these programs must have their Class-A learners permit from their state of residence prior to attending.

Rigging/Signalperson Training

The ATS Rigging/Signalperson training is designed to give the student the skills and knowledge needed to pass the written and practical exams for certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) ™. This program is an excellent add-on to either the mobile crane or heavy equipment training programs.

Directional Drilling Program

We offer a two-week Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) program to introduce the student to the following. This program is designed to give an individual the fundamental skills and knowledge to operate a Horizontal Directional Drill and perform the other functions involved in HDD operations.

• Drill Operation
• Drill Head Tracking
• Utility Locating
• Mud Mixing
• Vacuum Excavating
• Downhole Tools

Do you have a young fan who is interested in construction and heavy equipment on your Christmas list? There is an excellent selection of construction toys available for children of all ages. For those who like to build, there are construction sets, such as K’nex, Legos, and other building sets.

Some of the newer interesting toys include the Mattel Matchbox Downton Demolition Playset, which includes a crane and wrecking ball to knock down the three-story building. It has two Matchbox construction vehicles, and the crane features a claw to grip and move materials for demolition and rebuilding.

The Dickie Toys Construction Playset includes four construction vehicles and street sign accessories. ENGINO STEM Mechanics sets allow you to see the technical mechanics of how things work. One set focuses on how cams and crank mechanisms are crucial to many real machines in the world. Tonka has multiple playsets available, and they remain popular as they have for several decades.

There are also dress-up sets for youngsters. These include plastic hard hats and neon-colored safety vests. There is a Play-Doh Construction Set that features a crane, and toddlers can enjoy the PlaySkool cement mixer truck.

There are also radio-controlled construction vehicles, including trucks, bulldozers, and cranes. While there are some easy-to-maneuver radio-controlled vehicles for young children, some of these are more advanced and technical, made for teens and adults, and available only at hobby shops. These make great gifts for hobbyists, so there is a construction toy for those of any age on your list.

With the wide variety of construction toys available, there are also toys to fit all budgets and all price ranges, ranging from $10 to $1,000s for the hobbyist radio-controlled vehicles from the hobby shops. These toys are available at department stores, discount retailers, wholesale clubs, hobby shops, toy stores, and hardware stores.

The increasing interest rates will have an effect on all purchases. By increasing interest rates, the Fed hopes to slow consumer activity, which has grown faster than the supply chain. That means that prices will increase across the board. The general thinking is that the higher interest rates will make it more expensive to finance everything from credit cards to houses, and businesses.

The increase in home prices and the cost of building supplies, along with the higher interest rates, can increase a monthly mortgage payment by $200 to $300 per month. The demand for housing is much greater than the supply available. That means that there will be a continued need for construction in the housing market.

In some areas of the country, some homebuilders are lowering prices as interest rates increase. Mortgage rates are increasing, with the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbing to 5.5%, Freddie Mac reported. The housing industry has always been sensitive to interest rates, and when borrowing costs increase, demand usually goes down.

In this situation, there is already a shortage of homes, so there is not expected to a major reduction in residential construction projects. Because of this demand, construction companies are expected to continue hiring construction workers for their residential projects.

Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a variety of training programs, including programs beneficial to those in the construction industry, such as heavy equipment operator training and CDL training. To learn more about the training programs available at ATS, call (800) 383-7364.

Recent reports indicate that the construction industry is in dire need of skilled laborers. Here is a closer look at what makes skilled workers and the skills that are needed to be a skilled worker in the construction industry.

There are many must-have construction skills. To succeed you must have the following capabilities:

• Physical strength and stamina
• Manual dexterity and coordination
• Strong reading and math skills
• Building and mechanical knowledge
• Excellent vision and depth perception

If you are a skilled worker, you will have no trouble finding employment in the construction industry. With the proper training, you can gain the skills that the field demands, and you can also get the safety training needed to protect you – and others – while on the job.

By learning how to do your job safely and how to operate the tools of the trade, you are improving your job opportunities. Also, crane operators and other heavy equipment operators are in demand in the construction industry.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has been helping construction workers get the training they need to succeed since 1959. There are specialized training programs available as well as heavy equipment, crane, rigging/signalperson, tower crane, commercial truck driving, digger derrick, and directional drilling training programs available.

Call (800) 383-7364 to discuss your training needs and to learn more about the programs we have available. We are accredited, and financial aid is available.

There is a big demand for professional drivers who have their CDLs. Many trucking companies and other businesses are now paying for employees to get CDL training and provide a salary while the employee is going through training.

Tuition at truck driving school can cost thousands of dollars. When your employer covers the cost of your training, that is beneficial. That is also ensuring you have a job – and a source of income – after training has been completed.

There are many trucking companies that will cover the cost of CDL training. Some of the better-known companies that will pay for CDL training include:

• SWIFT Transportation
• Prime Transportation
• Knight Transportation
• PAM Transport
• FFE Transportation

These companies require an employment contract. If you do not fulfill the contract and leave the place of employment earlier than the contract indicates, you will most likely have to repay your employer for the cost of the training.

Some trucking companies also contract with specific truck driver training schools and CDL programs. While some trucking companies allow you to choose your own school just so long as it meets the requirements and needs of their trucking company.

Professional truck driving is a career that is in demand, and the average salary for a trucker is $50,000. State averages range from a low annual salary of $39,177 in North Carolina to a high annual salary of $56,434 in New Jersey.

Associated Training Services offers heavy equipment training as well as CDL and truck training programs. To learn more about our programs, call (800) 383-7364.

Giving You the Opportunity to Succeed

Associated Training Services (ATS) is dedicated to helping our veterans. While other companies may make empty promises, ATS stands behind our values. Over the last 25 years, ATS has helped more than 4,000 veterans accomplish their goals. Going above and beyond just offering our veterans the best training, ATS makes sure that all veterans are provided with free housing while they undergo their training. ATS also ensures that they can provide employment assistance in all parts of the United States.

ATS has many different programs for our veterans, giving you multiple long-term career options. One example of ATS’s many great learning opportunities is a mobile crane operator certificate. In this training, you will learn how to operate a variety of mobile cranes, swing cabs, fixed cabs, and more. If you see your future career in rigging and signaling, ATS has a program for you to get certification in this position. There are also opportunities to participate in the FMCSA approved and registered program to acquire your CDL under the new ELDT guidelines.

ATS has a substantial list of programs to suit whichever direction you see your career heading, including:

• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Mobile Crane Operations
• Tower Cranes
• Articulated Boom Cranes
• Horizontal Directional Drilling
• Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)
• Rigging/Signalperson

If you’re a veteran looking for a new career or to grow in the field you are already in, then we welcome you to explore what ATS has to offer. When reviewing your options, remember to consider the continued support that ATS offers veterans; free housing, employee assistance, and the opportunity for you to pay for your education with your GI bill. With our program, you will be able to take the next steps towards your career goals with the assurance that ATS can assist you with your housing and financial needs.

If you have served our country and you are looking for a change in your career or need further education to continue moving up in your field, let ATS assist you. At ATS, we believe your service should be honored, let us make your training our priority. Now is the time to start! We have new classes starting every 3 weeks.

Visit our website to see what future opportunities ATS may hold for you, or call us directly at (800) 383-7364!

As of February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require all entry level commercial drivers to be trained by an FMCSA approved and registered entry-level driver Training Provider in order to be eligible to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Associated Training Services (ATS) is an FMCSA approved and registered entry level driver Training Provider. If you are interested in training your current personnel to qualify for a CDL, let ATS take care of it for you!

What Can ATS Do For You?

• Online theory/classroom training for your trainees. This can be done on their own time if needed.
• Behind The Wheel (BTW) range training at your location with your equipment.
• Behind The Wheel (BTW) road training at your location with your equipment.
• Registration of the trainees training records (theory and BTW) with the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

Please contact Associated Training Services today for more information on Entry Level Driver Training.

E: admissions@operator-school.com

P: (800) 388-7364

W: www.operator-school.com