Tower cranes can be huge and, in most cases, cannot be moved under their own power. In fact, almost all tower cranes are nothing more than giant Meccano sets with each crane put together on site. Anything up to a dozen flatbed trailers are used to bring in all the parts, all carefully laid out and ready for assembling. Who does the grunt work? Mobile Cranes.

It has to be one of the most interesting jobs on a work site. Slowly lifting each piece of a giant Meccano set into place while riggers and engineers slowly build that tower crane. Of course, when the job is done, it will require another mobile crane to come in and slowly take the tower crane apart again. With some large construction sites taking up to 12 months (and longer) to complete, operators and workers rely on that tower crane to be perfectly put together.

That is only one role of a mobile crane, and a challenging one at that. Wherever there are heavy objects that require lifting, you’re likely to find a mobile crane. Mobile cranes range in size from fairly small vehicles to large vehicles that equal or exceed the length of many semi-trailer rigs. Because of their size, mobile crane operators are also required to hold a commercial drivers license (CDL).

Mobile crane operator training can be undertaken over three weeks. This will provide operators with the skills and knowledge for entry-level work as mobile crane operators. In today’s workforce, crane operators are also required to undertake a certification process that demonstrates their knowledge of cranes, particularly when it comes to safety knowledge and the safe operation of a crane. If building tower cranes from giant pieces of Meccano appeals to you, consider undertaking crane operator training – the pay’s good and the work is always challenging.

Certified crane operators are well paid when compared to many other heavy equipment operator positions. In fact, if you were to compare the hours of training required to become certified to many other positions (of any skill), certified crane operators come out well on top. Training to become a crane operator can take as little as three weeks – now, compare that to some occupations that take a minimum of six, twelve, or more months.

Mobile crane operators can also look forward to a position that involves a lot of variety. Mobile cranes don’t often stay long in the one place doing the one job repetitively. It’s not unusual for a mobile crane operator to do two or three different jobs in two or three different sites, all on the one day. If there is a down side to being a mobile crane operator, it is the fact that you could be called out in the middle of the night for an emergency. Don’t worry, it doesn’t happen that often, and it only applies to operators who have made themselves available for that task.

ATS Crane Operator Schools are one of the nation’s oldest crane operator training schools. Our three-week training program includes both in-class and in-the-seat training. This training is comprehensive and will cover all the areas required for a graduate to successfully complete their certification assessment following training. Certification is becoming a requirement in most states so employers are not longer willing to employ operators without this certification.

If you are looking for a well-paid job, a job where you can be trained and in the workforce quickly, then consider becoming a certified crane operator.

We seem to be having wild weather all around the world. Hurricanes, heavy snow with colder than average temperatures, and in the southern hemisphere, where it should be summer, they are having heavy rains with severe flooding. When you start to look at some of the news stories, heavy equipment like bulldozers and snow plows feature as do trucks, although in Europe and Australia many of them are stuck as they wait for the highways to clear. The one that stands out for me, though, are the mobile crane operators – what a great career they must have.

I notice several news stories from Australia where cars had been carried away as they tried to cross a flooded bridged. That water can certainly move quickly. But there were mobile cranes with their booms swung out across the flooded river, hauling those cars back to firmer ground. In England, there are similar scenes with vehicles skating off roads and ending up in all sorts of precarious positions. Again, it’s the mobile crane operator who has to work out how to get that car back onto safe ground. The car is often a complete write off. But you know what insurance companies are like … if they can’t have the car in front of them to do an assessment, then they often won’t pay out.

We have similar scenes here, and that’s what makes the job of a mobile crane operator so interesting. You just never know what sort of job you’ll be asked to do next. Some jobs are fairly standard, like lifting machinery into place, or lifting building materials around a work site. Other jobs can be dangerous and exciting and they can really be a test of the skills of an operator.

Learning to operate a mobile crane is not as difficult as most people think. Mobile crane operator training can be completed in three weeks and, following a successful assessment, graduates can also then be certified. Many states have made the certification of crane operators mandatory so completing the assessment is a step that should be seriously considered. If you are interested in a career that is interesting, has plenty of variety, and the occasional tough assignment, then consider the role of a mobile crane operator – they have it all.

Crane operator training has become an important part of any workplace that employs cranes. Today, it is compulsory in most states to be certified as a crane operator before you can step foot anywhere near a crane. One of the problems with crane operator training is that one size does not fit all and there are many different types of crane in use today.

ATS Crane Operator Schools conduct regular training programs for those wanting to enter the mobile crane sector. For those employers looking for specialized operators, we offer training in:

• Large Telescopic Boom Cranes (swing cab/rough terrain)
• Small Telescopic Boom Cranes (fixed cab/boom truck)
• Lattice Crane (Crawler or Truck)
• Articulated (knuckleboom) Cranes

We also provide training in for OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person and offer NCCCO Written & Practical Exams for those ready for certification. ATS is approved by the NCCCO as a test site for both the NCCCO written and NCCCO practical exams so we provide the complete pathway from training through to certification.

Whilst most of our training is undertaken at one of our campuses, we are happy to set up a training and testing room on your site if that is more convenient. This can be beneficial for those businesses that are located, or who are working in remote locations. Because we come to you, there is a less impact on your day-to-day business. Employees are also then trained on the equipment that will be using.

If you want more information on specialized crane operator training, feel free to call us on 800-678-8149.

The most valuable employees in any business are the ones that can multi-skill. These days, when employers are forced to lay off workers, the last to go are generally those that are multi-skilled. It makes sense, of course. If you have a truck driver, a mobile crane operator, and bulldozer operator, but you only have enough work to keep these three operators busy for a short period each week, the easy way out is to sack those three operators and to employ an operator that can operate each piece of machinery.

However, if you are skilled in all three areas then you will be the last to be dismissed. The employer can use you wherever needed thus keeping you busy all the time. Gaining skills in all three areas may seem daunting, yet it isn’t. If you’re a truck driver then adding mobile crane operator training to your skill set is fairly easy. Likewise, if you are a heavy equipment operator then adding a commercial drivers license is not that difficult. That is the first step – that provides you with two skill sets that are important to employers.

Of course, if you are already a mobile crane operator then you will already have your CDL so it’s only a matter of adding heavy equipment training to your skills list. We are currently in an environment where multi-skilled workers are being held in high esteem. They are an important asset to any business. From the workers point of view, they have always got a range of options when it comes to seeking employment.

Associated Training Services has over forty years experience training truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and mobile crane operators. We are in effect your one-stop shop when it comes to acquiring the range of skills that most employers find valuable. If you are involved in just one of those areas, consider up-skilling and improving your employment chances.

If you have a commercial drivers license but you’ve become a little jaded with truck driving, why don’t you consider adding a mobile crane operators certification to your repertoire. Mobile crane operators combine truck driver skills and crane operator skills to become in demand operators that can be called upon to do a wide range of tasks.

Mobile cranes fill a void between the need for a fixed long term crane, and small lifting machines like excavators and fork lift trucks. Mobile cranes can lift very heavy objects yet have the mobility to move from job to job at a moment’s notice. Fixed cranes can take weeks to dismantle and reassemble in another location while excavators and fork lifts often don’t have the lifting capacity required for large objects.

You can find mobile cranes working in a wide range of jobs. In construction sites, they may well be called in to help raise and/or lower a fixed cranes components. Mobile cranes are also used to raise or lower large objects like air conditioning units and other machinery. You could also find mobile cranes at the scene of road accidents, particularly where large trucks and tankers have overturned.

Having your commercial drivers license is a good start for a career as a mobile crane operator. Don’t worry if you don’t have one; that can soon be arranged. Receiving quality crane operator training is essential for a number of reasons. The first is that quality training is the only way to give your self the best chance of successfully completing the requirements for certification as mobile crane operator. This is a requirement in most states now. The second reason is just as important – training organizations have reputations so you want to ensure you receive your training through a well recognized training company.

If you think a career as a mobile crane operator is a good fit for you then contact us at ATS Crane Operator Training Schools to learn more about our next crane operator training program.

The old saying “you have got to start at the bottom” is true for any career. For those that aspire to operating cranes atop new hi-rise constructions, you too will have to start at the bottom. At least, you will have to start at ground level. Getting your foot in the door is often the hardest part of any new career. When it comes to crane operator careers, one of the keys is your crane operator training.

Most states now have legislation in place that makes it mandatory for employers to only use certified crane operators in the work place. To gain certification, you need the appropriate training – training that prepares you for your certification assessment while also ensuring you have the skills required by employers. That, however, is just the first step.

Just because you are certified as a crane operator doesn’t mean employers are going to employ you. In most cases, employers want operators that are skilled and experienced – and that’s pretty tough on new graduates to the industry. There is one rider to that – employers are also looking for employees that will fit into their organization. ATS Crane Operator Schools has spent over 40 years training individuals for the work place. Over that time, we have also developed a good rapport with industry. We know what employers are looking for and we prepare our students ready to accept entry level employment.

Employers do look to training schools like ATS for entry level recruits. There are a lot of jobs that only require those base skills, so for employers, the rationale is quite simple – why pay extra for a skilled operator when a new recruit fresh from training school can do the job? That’s where the ATS Careers Services personnel enter the picture. They will try to match the requirements of employers with the skills and attributes of students graduating from one of our training schools. Our success rate is one that we are proud of.

If you are looking to start a career as a crane operator, we don’t just have the crane operator training and certification services available, we can help you get your foot in the door if you access our career services section. Interested? Contact ATS for more information on when and where our next training courses are scheduled.

Many states are now in the process of adopting legislation that makes it mandatory for all crane operators to have passed a certification assessment. For many employers, this may make life difficult. Their crane operators may be highly skilled and valuable assets to the organization, but without that certification, their value could be lost overnight. The simple solution, of course, is to have those operators assessed and certified.

That is a simple solution and many employers are now taking that route. For others, the solution is not so simple. Over the years employers have used employees in multiple roles. For example, a heavy machinery operator is trained to operate a crane, but only used when the need arises. Their main use to the business is a heavy equipment operator. These individuals will also need certifying before they can again operate a crane and, given their limited experience, may struggle to pass that assessment.

This is where ATS Crane Operator Schools is in a position to assist. We are able to deliver training and assessment, either at one of our training schools or in the workplace – depending on the needs of the employer. We can also provide specialist crane operator training in workplaces that have special needs. Our training covers a variety of cranes including fixed cab and swing cab mobile hydraulic cranes, crawler or truck mounted lattice boom cranes, and rigging. We can also travel where employees that require training, assessment and certification are located in remote places.

Skilled employees are valuable assets to any business – ensure your crane operators have been tested and certified so they remain of value to your business.

There is often a mistaken belief that crane operator training (and heavy equipment training in general) requires some prior knowledge of machinery and perhaps some prior experience. As I said – this is a mistaken belief. Training for cranes and heavy equipment is often better suited to those that come into the industry with little or no knowledge of the machinery since they don’t bring with them bad habits or misconceptions. If you are totally unskilled – you may find that crane operator training is the perfect choice.

Mobile crane operator training will necessitate learning to drive a large vehicle so some driving knowledge and experience is required. Training to become a crane operator takes around three weeks with almost all students ready to sit their certification tests after that period. Training involves learning about cranes, how to set them up ready for use and, of course, how to safely and efficiently operate them.

That knowledge is acquired through your training, not through any prior experience. In many cases, students that have had prior experience, or some basic training delivered by friends or family, need to go through a re-learning process because of bad habits or poor techniques they have acquired. Being totally unskilled means you come in as a raw recruit and, if you are mentally ready, able to learn the basics quite quickly.

Good crane operators are always in demand and they can attract decent pay checks each week. Having the right base training is essential if you want to build a career as a crane operator and here at ATS Crane Operator Schools we not only deliver quality training, we deliver training to standards that the industry recognizes. Most of our students are able to find gainful employment soon after completing their training, employment that enables them to further develop their skills.

If you are totally unskilled, don’t let that stop you from becoming skilled. Crane operator training, or heavy equipment training in general, is an option that you can seriously consider – and a rewarding career you can seriously consider entering. Contact us for more information if you’re ready to become a skilled and sougt after operator of cranes or heavy equipment – we have schools across the country just waiting to give you those skills.

Mobile crane operator training is a must if you expect to develop a career as a crane operator. It is now compulsory in almost all states to be certified as a crane operator before you can even touch a crane, let alone operate one. To gain certification, you need quality training that is designed with both the workplace and certification process in mind. This is where ATS leads the way. We are recognized as being one of the leading providers of crane operator training in the country.

Working as a crane operator is not just about pushing a pulling levers to raise, lower or move a boom. Safety requirements are essential and this includes setting up the crane prior to use, day-to-day maintenance, traveling with a crane (especially mobile cranes), and of course the safe use of a crane. Other areas of importance include environmental factors like understanding how weather, particularly wind, can affect the operations of a crane.

If you intend on entering the workplace as a crane operator then you need to ensure your training meets industry requirements. The workplace has expectations of operators, particularly new operators that have been certified. Undertaking your training through a provider that is trusted by industry also helps when trying to find employment opportunities. If your training has been provided by ATS then employers know that you have been well trained, and that your certification has been well earned.

The workplace is competitive and while crane operators may be in demand right now, employers are still going to be selective. You can give yourself a real competitive advantage by looking for training providers that deliver the very best in training outcomes. ATS prides itself on being one of those training providers – reason enough alone to select us for your training.