The days of focusing on one piece of heavy equipment as a career are quickly fading. Employers are constantly looking for heavy equipment operators who are multi-skilled, generally on heavy equipment, however, there are other associated skills that employers look for. A commercial drivers license is always handy to have since many employers prefer operators who can also drive trucks.

A look at this past weekend’s job opportunities is a good indication of what employers are looking for, although interestingly enough, this weekend is one of the few where a CDL didn’t appear in one or more job listings. Instead, we had employers that included the following:

• Must have hours on Trackhoe, Backhoe, Dozer and/or Grader;
• safe operation of various heavy equipment vehicles; and
• operates equipment including excavator, compactor, bulldozer, forklift and front end loader

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools offer training on a wide range of heavy equipment including:

• Backhoes
• Wheel Loaders
• Scrapers
• Excavators
• Bulldozers
• Road Graders
• Rock Trucks
• Skid Steers
• All-Terrain Forklifts

Once you have covered the basic training, you should look for opportunities where you can build up hours on a range of heavy equipment. You’ll become more confident on each unit, and over time, build up a range of skills that employers will find attractive.

When looking to change careers, it often pays to carefully study job advertisements in that niche. You will then know what employers are looking for and so prepare yourself for those requirements. Employers are still picky when it comes to heavy equipment operators – they know the type of worker they want, and they know which training establishments provide the best graduates – so deliver them what they are looking for. Over time, you’ll have the pick of the jobs.

If there was one piece of advice that I could offer to anyone contemplating a career as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, or crane operator, it would be to thoroughly check out their training options. There are a lot of training options available and they range from the totally unplanned training you receive from a friend or relative to the training programs that run for six, or even twelve months. And there are plenty of other options that sit in between.

It’s not so much the length of the training program that matters. We could put together a training program that ran for three months, and like many other training establishments that run longer courses, you will spend most of your time pushing dirt from A to B then back again; or digging a hole, then filling it in again, only to dig the same hole the next day. Practice is important, however, what is most important are the skills and knowledge you learn as they relate to the workplace.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have developed training programs designed to have graduates work ready on completion. Rather than charging you thousands of dollars for long practice sessions, our three week training program concentrates on the essential skills and knowledge required by both government regulatory authorities, and by employers. After 50 years in the business of training, we have developed strong relationships with both groups, and this has helped us fine tune our training.

Whilst training is the most important factor, it is not the only factor to look at when comparing schools. You should also consider what financial assistance each school offers, what employment assistance is offered, and what post training assistance there is.

If you decide to take a closer look at ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised on all three fronts. We offer financial assistance (including training for those qualified for government funded training programs), we have a well organized employment services department, and we continue to assist graduates where ever we can once they have completed their training. And that training is first class – don’t believe me? Put us to the test – come and take a closer look.

When deciding on a heavy equipment training school, it is essential that a prospective operator ensures that the school chosen will have the training that will result in success. This may require a prospective operator to make a huge choice in life; “do I stay local or do I move to the best school for my career?” In many prospective heavy equipment operators’ lives, this may be the biggest decision he or she ever makes.

Many schools will offer the basic training that is required to get a job, but is this the best route that will lead to the job a hopeful operator is truly looking for? Is the school that fits the needs local or does a trainee need to move away to find the school that will help him or her reach his goals. Heavy equipment training schools can make or break an operator, when it comes down to making things work it is important that the heavy equipment training school has the courses that will enable an operator to reach his goals.

The heavy equipment training school that is chosen will make or break an operator. It is essential that the school meets the needs of the operator. Do they offer articulating crane training? Will the school assist the trainee in finding a job?

Choosing a heavy equipment training school is an important decision. Make certain that the decision is the correct one. This is a decision that can complete the career of a heavy equipment training school operator.

There are numerous reasons why now is a great time to get a Heavy Equipment Operator’s certification. One big reason is the fact that the economy is beginning to pick back up after several years of faltering. When the economy begins to improve, the housing market will begin to improve and, as a result, the construction industry will begin to increase the production of new homes. This will ultimately increase the demand for trained and experienced heavy equipment operators around the country.

Another huge industry that is always hiring heavy equipment operators is the oil industry, and what better time than now to move into the oil industry? With oil prices continuing to rise and our continued need for this high-priced material, there is no sign of this industry fading any time soon. This means steady jobs and good salaries for operators willing to relocate to areas that are flush with oil such as Texas or, more recently, North Dakota. There is currently an oil boom in North Dakota that has resulted in the migration of a large number of heavy equipment operators heading there to find their new careers and fortunes.

Mining companies continue and will continue to hire operators around the country and internationally. In an effort to lower our oil use, many municipalities and industries are trying to move toward cleaner coal use. Also, many batteries used in new smart phones and electric cars require the mining of elements and metals found under the ground. There are numerous other types of mines that will continue to need the skills and experience of heavy equipment operators around the globe.

An additional industry that will continue to need the skills of heavy equipment operators is Road Building. As our country’s infrastructure continues to deteriorate, the more operator jobs will become available around the US. New roads are currently being built, but at the same time, many of the older roads are becoming more and more deteriorated by age and the elements. These damaged roads will need to be repaired or replaced in the immediate future. The bridge disaster, in Minnesota, in 2007 was just an introductory chapter of what could happen as a result of not maintaining the bridges and roads in the US.

As stated above, there are many reasons that lean toward an increase in the demand for heavy equipment operators. In some instances, these jobs may require an operator to relocate, but in many situations, the jobs will be right at home as the economy improves. If an operator is not already certified to operate heavy equipment, now is a great time to get this training completed. The experience that can be gained now in the slower times can really improve an operator’s opportunities for growth in the better times that are on the way.

The more training an employee has under his belt the more valuable they are to their employer. This is true in every industry, and this is especially true in the heavy equipment industry. There are numerous machines that an operator can get trained on that will make him more valuable. But, a unique route can be taken to increase an operator’s value even more. This is to combine the heavy equipment operator training certification with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) .

Every construction or engineering company needs to get their heavy equipment from one work site to another. With the majority of heavy equipment, this requires a flatbed truck which will also require a driver with a commercial driver’s license. This driver may then be required to move around the heavy equipment once he has arrived on a work site. By combining these two training programs, an operator can truly increase his value to any company. In this tight economy, any chance an operator has to improve his resume should be taken. This combination of training could make an operator invaluable to his employer.

An employer is always looking for ways to increase profits and speed up processes. A great way for an employee to save his employer money is to be able to perform the duties that would normally require two people. A heavy equipment operator that can drive equipment to a work site will stand out to his employer and will make him instantly more hirable. Today, millions are struggling to make ends meet, but a CDL licensed driver that can operate heavy equipment will be a highly coveted employee on any work site.

The exciting and lucrative world of heavy equipment operators is a dream for many, and it can be an exciting life. After all, sitting in a bulldozer or crane pushing and pulling levers sounds like a pretty good gig, but there is much more to being a heavy equipment operator than just this. Training on numerous pieces of equipment is an important part of becoming an operator, but perhaps even more important are the “little things” that a good training school will provide to help a heavy equipment operator strive on the work site. These are the skills that will ensure that an operator is effective and safe on the work site.

Some of these often overlooked skills are grade reading, work site safety and heavy equipment maintenance. These courses sound like very minor items. Perhaps, even throw away classes, but in reality, these can be some of the most important classes an operator will take. These classes will actually teach a trainee the fundamentals needed in the construction and engineering industries. It is essential that these are part of any training school’s curriculum for heavy equipment operator training.

A heavy equipment operator trainee obviously wants to learn to drive a bulldozer or a crane immediately, but it is essential that he is trained in the basics of safety and maintenance. An employer will be looking for a well-rounded operator that has been trained in all aspects of the job. Every good training school will ensure that a trainee has mastered these “little things” prior to moving onto the more exciting aspects of the job.

Heavy equipment and the environments they are employed in are, quite honestly, a recipe for disaster if the proper safety methods are not used at all times. For this reason, training – and more specifically, safety training – is essential for all heavy equipment operators. Unlike many professions, a heavy equipment operator must keep up to date and pay special attention to safety training as they are in a position to badly hurt or even kill themselves or a coworker. The title of Heavy Equipment Operator comes with a great deal of responsibility; a laborer can get away with fooling around and horseplay on the job site, but the heavy equipment operator must be responsible for the safety of all of those who come in close contact with his or her equipment.

Many people feel that regular training is a waste of time and boring, but it is a mandatory mechanism to ensure all workers on a job site are safe. Repetition of training assures that workers treat safety as second nature; safety on the job site is everyone’s responsibility and training assures this. Regularly scheduled safety training ensures that heavy equipment operators do not become complacent. It is easy to forget the importance of safety if we are not reminded on a regular basis.

Many workers make the mistake of “just going through the motions,” but this can lead to accidents and injuries occurring on the job site, or worse happening to the operator or his coworkers. The best remedy for complacency is to keep oneself educated regarding the safety issues and trends that are currently relevant in the workplace.

Many people think they have it all figured out when it comes to picking out their profession. But often, they have no idea what a worker in that field really does on a day-to-day basis. A quick review of what a Heavy Equipment Operator does may help in this decision making process.

Operators are generally going to be working at a construction site, an industrial site or a road paving site, so for the most part the job will be outside in the elements. A Heavy Equipment Operator may operate numerous pieces of machinery such as: excavators, loaders, bulldozers, scrapers and more. Other operators might become highly effective with one piece of equipment and focus their efforts on just that facet of the job.

Another aspect of the Heavy Equipment Operator’s job is the physical work — very rewarding work, but tough none the less. An operator has to have good balance and physical strength to maintain control of his equipment in rough terrain. He also has to have great eye-hand-foot coordination to ensure he can manipulate the equipment with the precision necessary to complete the project. At times, an operator may need to even climb down off of his equipment and help the laborers to get a job done.

One overlooked and less glamorous part of the job is the maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. Minor repairs are often required to be made by the Heavy Equipment Operator on site to ensure the work schedule is maintained. When needed, the equipment will need to be cleaned by the operator to ensure it is maintained in working order at all times.

The life of a Heavy Equipment Operator can be a great one with good pay and a true sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. But, as with anything in life, great rewards come from hard work and responsibility, and the life of a Heavy Equipment Operator epitomizes this phrase.

Are you a new migrant to the U.S.? More importantly, do you have residency status or a Green Card? If so, you can start your new life with a new career as a heavy equipment operator. What you will need is a reasonable understanding of the English language in order to understand directions and safety measures.

What new migrants will find is that heavy equipment is one area that doesn’t discriminate against any individual. The bottom line for gaining employment is whether or not you can do the job – if you can, then you’re application will be treated equally – and this includes women in the heavy equipment work force. The key to a successful career is the heavy equipment training you receive. Having a good foundation of skills will set you on the road to success.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools follows the same social philosophy – everyone deserves a chance to see if heavy equipment is a career best suited to them so we don’t discriminate. If you are able to complete both the classroom and practical training, then we will accept your application and enroll you in one of our classes.

Heavy equipment training is a three week training program that provides basic skills and knowledge of a range of machinery including excavators, bulldozers, graders, loaders and backhoes to name a few. Students also receive training in all safety components related to heavy equipment and construction along with a range of classroom lessons on topics such as reading and understanding site plans. If you’re a new migrant who’s looking for a new career, consider heavy equipment operations – it’s one field that doesn’t discriminate.

How would you like an inside, hands-on look at what happens at a heavy equipment training school? You don’t just get a twenty minute guided tour of the school, you get to sit through a full training module, and to get up close to a range of machinery. You’re even encouraged to climb into the operators seats to see how it feels. America’s oldest and most respected crane, truck driving and heavy equipment training school is offering everyone just that.

This invitation is not just directed at prospective students. We welcome everyone, wives (or husbands), parents, children – feel free to come along to see what training involves, what sort of work is available for drivers/operators, and whether or not this is going to be a good career move for everyone. If you like what you see, and complete that first training module, you could be eligible for a $500 scholarship in one of our training programs (see details for more information).

Changing careers can be a big decision, so before doing so, you should do as much research as possible. This research should include trying to get some hands on experience before agreeing to undertake training. That’s our philosophy as well, and that’s one of the reasons we offer this open day.

Unfortunately, numbers are limited to these open days, so booking a seat is a must. There is no cost involved in attending any part of the open day, and that includes attending and completing one of the training modules. There is also no obligation to sign up for training either before, during or after one of our open days. These open days are designed to help you determine whether or not a career as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver or crane operator is right for you.