Associated Training Services would like to thank all military personnel and Veterans and wish you all a Happy Veterans Day.

Happy Veterans Day!

If you have served in the military, you have a GI Bill that is available to cover the cost of training at higher learning institutions that don’t offer college degrees. This allows a veteran to get trained to perform work such as truck driving, heavy equipment operator, mobile crane operator, certified as a rigger/signalperson, and horizontal directional drilling operator.

The amount of funds available depends on the specific GI bill that is being utilized and the kind of non-college-degree school or training that you are pursuing. Payments will be issued on a monthly basis after you have completed training with the monthly entitlement being based on the clock hours that you attended training for each week of the month. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays the actual net costs of in-state tuition for non-degree granting schools or the national maximum, whichever is the least amount. There is a monthly housing allowance based on the school’s location and up to $83 is available for books and supplies monthly.

You can use your GI bill or educational benefits from your military service toward various vocational training and non-degree programs. If you need a CDL to drive a truck for a living, your VA benefits can help you cover the cost of the specialized truck driving school that you attend. You should check with the financial counselors at the school you plan to attend to learn about your benefits would come into play while you are attending a program there. That way, you can properly plan for the cost and know how much – if any – you would be responsible for.

Training for Career Opportunities

Construction workers and truck drivers are in demand. These are two growing fields in need of skilled employees. Because this is a growing field, you could benefit significantly from specialized training. You could use some VA or military benefits for training at ATS. The mission of ATS is to be an industry-leading educational institution that offers effective vocational training while maintaining the highest standards of quality and integrity. ATS trains veterans to go into various positions and fields in the workforce.

Your VA or military benefits can be used to participate in any of the many programs available at ATS. Educational opportunities are available in mobile crane operation, horizontal directional drilling, rigger/signalperson certification, heavy equipment operation, or truck driving. If you would like to learn more about the educational programs available at ATS, or how you can use your GI bill toward funding your career goals by participating in ATS educational programs, call (800) 383-7364.

Several major construction projects have been announced recently. The largest project getting underway is the Time Square development which is budgeted for $2.5 billion. The TSX Broadway project is set to start construction by Winter 2019. This project will include the demolition of an existing hotel and the construction of a new 550,000-square-foot, 46-story building around the historic Palace Theater. This construction project will include 75,000 square feet of retail space, which will include 100 feet of storefront directly facing Times Square. Also, there will be a 669-room luxury hotel. In addition, $50 million will be used to lift the 105-year-old Palace Theater, thoroughly renovate it, and then incorporate it into the new building’s third floor. There will be a stage that extends over Times Square, a huge 18,000-square-foot LED screen, and a beverage and food terrace. The experiential retail segment of the project is expected to at least 15 million people every year with its entertainment, creativity, innovation, and engagement. The project developers have planned construction to wrap up in 2021, and it has been set up, so it will not interfere with the vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the area.

Other Major Construction Projects

Seattle has approved a $700 million redevelopment project for KeyArena. The city hopes the new arena will host a National Basketball Association franchise eventually and a National Hockey League team. The project is designed to create a “world-class, multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility.” The construction agreement says that features that are designated as landmarks, such as the current roof, will be retained and the south façade will be removed. Five buildings will be demolished. The project includes the construction of two plazas, a loading area, a surface parking lot, a below-grade parking area, a skate park, and a new arena. It is expected to seat 19,000 people.

A $500 million mixed-use project is set to give Hyde Park a boost. This project will include $60 million of infrastructure and the completion of the 133-room Inn at Bellefield. The project will include 59 residences of various architectural styles, hiking, and biking trails through a nature preserve, an agricultural complex, a year-round farmers market, wine shops, a market square with restaurants, two hotels, specialty food stores, a village green, conference center, and a performing arts center and amphitheater. The project will use eco-conscious construction materials and solar energy and geothermal heating will be used. The hotel construction component is expected to create 500 jobs by itself.

Construction Jobs To Be Available

With the increasing number of construction projects will come an increase in the need for construction workers. Many of these positions will require specialized training, which will enable these workers to perform their jobs accurately and safely. To learn more about ATS Specialized Training, call (800) 678-8149 today.

The Average Crane Operator Wages?

There is a high demand for crane operators in the construction industry. Crane operators must undergo extensive training to safely operate these large pieces of machinery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2014, there were 44,540 people employed as crane and tower operators in the United States. The average hourly crane operator wages are $25.75 per hour, which comes out to $53,500 annually. According to the study, other construction equipment operators average $48,020 per year, or $23.09 an hour. To fill any of these positions, you will need to undergo specialized training. In some states, crane operators must have OSHA certification as well.

The Sky is the Limit

When it comes to operating cranes, the sky is the limit and that is in more than one way. While cranes are towering over buildings, many crane operators have salaries that tower over the salaries of their fellow construction workers. An article in the Wall Street Journal reported that crane operators in New York sometimes make $500,000 annually when pay, benefits, and overtime are figured in. That is a half million dollars every year for working in the construction industry and operating equipment. The Real Estate Board of New York, which represents the construction industry, reported that those employees earning the highest salaries are union members, and some of them are relief crane operators, which are required by the union contract for specific projects.

What Future Do Crane Operator Wages Hold?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are several states that require more crane operators. Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Oregon have the highest concentration of jobs for crane and tower operators. Arizona has the lowest need for these workers. Crane operators are paid the most in New York, New Hampshire, Alaska, Hawaii, and New Jersey. When it comes to future job openings, the demand for crane operators will stay steady. With an increase in construction projects, the need for crane operators will climb. The retirement rate for crane operators is expected to be higher than average over the next few years, so the high number of retiring workers will contribute to the number of job openings that are available. Therefore, the number of job openings will be greater than the number of those seeking jobs in the field.

Get the Proper Training

To become a crane operator, training is needed. ATS offers mobile crane training. ATS offers a variety of programs to train crane operators, including programs to prepare for NCCCO Mobile Crane Certification. Some of the different crane programs include:

• Large Telescopic Boom Cranes
• Small Telescopic Boom Cranes
• Lattice Boom Cranes
• Articulated Cranes
• Tower Cranes
• Digger Derricks

To learn more, call (800) 383-7364 today.

Look at any construction site and you will see the big machines going about their work, cranes, excavators, trucks, and so on, all play a vital role in any construction project. What you may not pay so much attention to are all the people on the site working around those machines, the laborer, so a common question is, why are they there?

If we think about construction sites, and what goes on, while the heavy lifting, whether that is actually lifting by cranes, or moving heavy materials, digging and moving soil, or drilling, is all done by machine, none of them can operate entirely alone. It is laborers on site who do much of the construction work, using hand power tools, moving materials into position after they have been dropped in bulk, carrying out assembly, and other skilled work within the construction where large machines simply cannot reach. All of these things are carried out by laborers, but that is just a fraction of the workload the site laborers will carry out on any construction project.

It is laborers that are the lifeblood of a construction site, they make it tick bringing everything together, they, as much as heavy machinery in their own way, power the construction industry. That is why laborers are so important, and why the skilled laborer has seen an increase in demand and increase in pay while other industries go the opposite way.

Laborer

Laborers do need specific skills to, of course, use hand tools, jackhammers, erecting scaffolding, forming up concrete, and other tasks that they perform every day all require a level of understanding of the process to carry them out well, and importantly, safely. They should also be able to read plans on-site, and as such, laborers are skilled workers, carrying out essential tasks that often form a structural part of a construction project, but those skills are not all a laborer needs.

The job is physically demanding, lifting and carrying materials, working hand tools and powered machines all require a level of physical strength and stamina, and in combination with that, the coordination and dexterity to carry out assembly tasks or operate small machinery. Safety training is also important, not just for the work they do, but awareness of other safety issues on site.

For instance, for a laborer working on a site with large cranes or a lot of heavy machinery, awareness of what is going on around the site and good safety training is essential, laborers are particularly vulnerable with such large machines moving around, many of which provide the operator with limited vision around or below.

Skilled laborers perform essential tasks on any site, not just in construction, but in mining and other industries too. While technology has advanced the capabilities of our machines, the laborers are still the driving force on any project.

To become a heavy equipment operator, the proper training is required to safely and professionally operate the different kinds of heavy equipment and machinery that you will be using. Associated Training Services (ATS) has been providing high-quality training for individuals for decades. Just read our reviews. The company got its start in 1959 as the National Institute for Concrete Construction. Now a nationally recognized school, ATS has expanded its course offerings immensely.

Students compliment the program by saying, “The facilities and equipment are top-notch and well-maintained,” and “Great instructors and excellent facility for both classroom and hands-on (training).” During the past two decades, ATS has prepared hundreds of heavy equipment operators for success in the roles behind the wheel of various machines and heavy equipment. Students can learn how to operate cranes, digger derricks, directional drills, and different kinds of heavy equipment used in construction projects. The school still offers commercial truck driving training and offers a rigger/signalperson certification.

Specialized Training Programs

When there is specialized training needed, ATS can help employers and job applicants with that as well. With highly detailed training by instructors who have extensive experience in the field, students have classroom time as well as hands-on training. Students will get detailed information about the equipment they will be operating, and they will learn how to troubleshoot problems and address simple issues.

Former students give the school high ratings with most of them finding employment in their chosen field rather quickly after having completed their training program. Offering a challenging educational program, that is also fun and informative, ATS provides students with the knowledge they need to safely and effectively pursue a career as a heavy equipment operator. ATS has provided training for various roles in multiple industries, offering specialized training that meets the need of the company.

Reviews – ATS Thrives On Student Success

ATS is more than a school, the instructors and the administrators want to see students succeed and businesses thrive. The school’s goal is for the success of its students and the success of the businesses that employ those individuals they train. Offering a superior training program that exceeds the expectations of the students, ATS offers a variety of training programs for the operation of construction-related trucks, commercial motor vehicles, mobile cranes, heavy equipment, signaling, rigging, and directional drills. Watch or listen to our reviews.

At the company’s location in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where the company was established, there are more than 50 staff members. The school is comprised of 20 instructors and more than 50 pieces of heavy equipment, trucks, and mobile cranes. There are beginner-level training programs as well as employer-specified training programs available at the location in Sun Prairie and at remote locations across the country, including:

• NCCCO Crane Operator Training, Testing, and Certification
• NCCCO Rigger-1 & Signalperson 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
• Horizontal Directional Drills

Certification, Accreditation, and Associations

ATS is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators. It is a certified training provider under the Workforce Development/Workforce Investment Act, offers a training program that is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the use of veterans’ educational benefits and is licensed.

ATS is licensed and approved in Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The school is a registered contractor with ISNetworld, which supports more than 360 hiring clients in industries to manage more than 54,000 suppliers and contractors in 75 countries. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.8-star rating on Google, it is obvious that ATS offers a quality education that helps students excel in their careers.

Women succeeding in construction continue to face an uphill battle while trying to advance their careers in the construction industry, but they are making strides. Women are working together to overcome the gender barrier and are supporting one another. A recent article in Biz Women, one of the Business Journals, explained that the demand for construction workers, as well as executives and professionals to lead the construction industry, is growing at a much faster pace. Culture in the construction workplace had been keeping many women from stepping up into those roles in the past. Between 2016 and 2026, the need for construction workers is expected to increase by 12%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of those positions could be filled by women.

Looking at the Numbers

According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), as of 2016 more than 10 million people were employed in the construction industry. Of that number, slightly less than 10% were women. Of the 939,000 women working in the construction industry, about 45% were employed in sales and office support positions. When the numbers are broken down more, about 31% worked in management and professional roles with 21% of them in construction, natural resources, and maintenance positions. Another 1.5% worked in service occupations while another 1.4% worked in production, material moving, and transportation.

Looking at the Salary

On a positive note, women’s wages in the construction industry are almost equal to those wages earned by men. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women earn about 97 cents on the dollar compared to men’s wages. With the growing demand for construction workers, women are now finding it much easier to get employed in the construction industry. Classrooms are seeing more women training for different roles in construction. Many of these women are undertaking specialized training to learn how to operate various equipment used for construction projects. The NAWIC reports that some classrooms for construction training now have as many women as men enrolled to complete the programs.

Qualified Applicants Needed

The Associated General Contractors of America released a survey that revealed 75% of construction firms had planned to increase their payrolls in 2018 because they felt comfortable about the strong economic outlook, regulatory burdens, and decreasing tax rates. But many of those construction firms who participated in the surveys reported that felt it is going to be more challenging to recruit and hire qualified construction workers this year while 78% already have been suffering challenges trying to find qualified and well-trained workers. To prepare yourself for a role in the construction industry, sign up for training. Call Associated Training Services today at (800) 383-7364 to learn more about our construction programs.

When most people think about cranes, they think of the enormous tower cranes adjacent to skyscrapers under construction. Of course, there are other types of cranes that people don’t consider as easily. For example, if you’ve ever seen an electrician working on a telephone pole, you’ve probably seen a telescopic crane and truck. These cranes and trucks have several purposes but on a much smaller scale. Continue reading as we discuss telescopic trucks.

Telescopic Cranes and Trucks

Telescopic cranes are made of a boom that consists of a series of cross-sectional segments that are either trapezoidal or triangular. Once fully retracted, these pieces fit into each other. In several occurrences, telescopic cranes are mobilized by being secured onto trucks.

Once the crane is ready to be used, the tubes extend to the desired length with the help of a powered device. Integrated Publishing discusses telescopic booms and their three types: full-powered, pinned, and a combination of the two. Full-powered booms have segments that are retracted and extended using hydraulics (excluding the base section). Pinned booms have segments that are pinned in retracted and extended positions.

The crane system and telescopic truck can be used for many jobs together. TEREX and Elpers Truck Equipment disclose some typical uses, such as:

• Mining
• Installing cable TV
• Erecting steel
• Maintaining equipment
• Field service and installation
• Park and roadside highway maintenance
• Concrete work

The telescopic handler, another kind of telescopic truck, has the benefits of a forklift. Thackray does a good job describing this piece of machinery. Otherwise known as a telescopic forklift or telehandler, this machine consists of a truck with a boom that can fit several attachments. The ability of the boom to extend allows the attachments, like pallet forks, to attain heights that would be impossible with standard forklifts. Keep in mind that this truck can become unstable as the load is lifted higher. Be sure to use the correct load charts and follow other guidelines in order to comprehend the proper limits.

About TEREX

TEREX, which stands for “Deutsche Maschinenbau AG,” is a crane manufacturer based in Germany. This brand has made history with its legendary crane achievements, including:

• 1950: The first telescopic boom crane with a lifting capacity of 2.5t
• 1990: The most powerful telescopic truck on Earth with a 500t lifting capacity
• 2007: The strongest crawler crane with a lifting capacity of 3,200

TEREX Telescopic Cranes

TEREX cranes are all about delivering success and powerful mobility. Trucks are constructed to demand minimum rigging and positioning, and with a maximum speed of 65 mph on the highway, it is very easy for cranes to move between job sites. The powerful engine and hydraulic system that powers these cranes is built to take on any Jobsite condition, which further decreases downtime. The crane truck itself is made to last so that customers can serve endless clients.

TEREX has various telescopic truck crane models to suit your needs. The T 780 has a 169-foot max height and a 72.6t nominal lifting capacity for the biggest projects around. On the other hand, the T 340- 1 model has a 147-foot max height and 36.3t nominal lifting capacity to take on small jobs.

Carbon emissions and the impact of our activities on the environment have become a hot topic in almost every industry, and the heavy machinery industry is no different. In fact, many of the buildings being constructed across the country, including some of the biggest developments of the decade are designed to be environmentally friendly buildings that use a variety of sustainable energy sources. Similarly, with mines, ways of reducing the environmental impact of the mining process itself are constantly being developed.

But until now, that focus had not really impacted the machinery used to carry out the construction or mining. Heavy equipment has developed significantly through technology, making an operator’s job safer and improving working conditions, but drivetrains have not changed too much over the same time.

Volvo, in partnership with Swedish construction company Skanska, is changing that, as they are trialing a complete mining transport solution, from excavators to trucks, all based on electric and hybrid power. The 15-ton truck, called the HX2, is a hybrid solution that uses a diesel engine in combination with electric motors to provide the power. In addition are the LX1, a hybrid wheel loader that has already been tested in California, and the EX1, which is a 70-ton excavator prototype that is perhaps the most interesting of the three.

The EX1 still uses a diesel engine to power the wheels for mobility, but once in position, it switches to an electric supply. In this prototype, this is not provided by batteries but is connected by cable to a wind-powered electric supply. In the mining application, all 3 machines are also operating autonomously, and they are fitted with a range of sensors to assess the world around them.

However, in the near future, it is the powertrains that are the most likely to make their way onto sites, with hybrid and potentially even all-electric drivetrains being an essential part of the need for reduced emissions. As we look at the Volvo prototypes as a sign of future heavy machinery, there seem to be several challenges that still need to be overcome. The major thing they all show is that battery technology is not yet at a stage where it can fully power site machines for an entire day without a recharge. That is why there are hybrid units, with the all-electric excavator using an external, connected power source to keep it going rather than internal batteries.

For heavy machinery owners and operators, hybrid machines offer a familiar operating and maintenance experience, so it’s better for the world around us without adding too much to the operator’s workload. With trials ongoing from Volvo, it is only a matter of time before hybrid machines begin appearing on sites from all manufacturers.

Homes are becoming more expensive, and ways of reducing costs, for the builder and the buyer, have been in demand for some time. One of the most popular ways to reduce both cost and site construction time has been the Modular Homes approach.

Modular homes, also known as factory-built, system-built, or even prefabs (short for prefabricated), are not new. In fact, after WW2, thousands of prefabs were used to rebuild the housing stock in the UK, it’s a tried and tested approach that has now been completely refined.

The Difference in Modular Homes

What set these modern modular homes apart from the standard constructed homes we are used to, is that they are built in parts in factories, and then shipped to the site to be assembled on permanent foundations. To ensure strength and longevity, building regulations for modular homes are very precise, and often exceed the requirements of traditionally built homes.

This approach does two things, first, it reduces overall construction costs, with only the final installation being done on-site, they are not affected by weather or other delays as can happen on-site. The production line nature of the component pieces of the home means that they can be produced much more quickly without sacrificing any quality, benefiting everyone.

Secondly, on-site, construction is simple. First, the new foundations are laid, as there would be for any new home, after that, the components are shipped to the site and then put together. With the bulk of the work done in the factory, a new home can be completed in just a few weeks, much faster than the traditional approach. However, many people think that this comes at a cost, with modular homes all looking exactly the same, you have to take what is on offer. That used to be the case, but today, modular homes are customizable, and you really can create the home of your dreams with the modular approach, and also save a lot of money in the process.

One of the biggest challenges on any site is the delays due to weather issues, and for all-year-round construction projects such as home building, this can be a particular issue. For anyone working on-site, that causes a lot of issues, and a faster process that avoids such delays is beneficial to everyone. The modular home sections arrive complete, and they are lifted into position using a crane. Each section is added in turn until the house is finished, a little like putting Lego bricks together to make a structure.

Modular homes are growing in popularity thanks to fast construction and cheaper costs when compared with traditional homes, this is not only good for home buyers but represents a valuable, year-round opportunity for crane operators. Home construction is changing, and modular homes are definitely the homes of the future.

A career in construction is a great option, it is in demand, and with so much work being done all around the country, allows you to be a part of what is really an ongoing move to rebuild America for the 21^st century. That is something to be proud of, but when choosing a construction job or new career, you always want to make sure you pick something that offers the most opportunity for the future. In our experience, these are the fastest-growing construction jobs in the country, and they offer the best opportunity for anyone looking to build a new, prosperous career.

Equipment Operators

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Equipment Operators are not just in demand now but are expected to see a 12% growth over the next few years, and that means plenty of work for anyone with the right skills. From excavators to bulldozers, skid steers, dump trucks, and any other kind of heavy machinery operators, there are opportunities right across the country.

As new projects of all sizes are launched, and the infrastructure expenditure to refit the country for a new century continues, construction is a healthy industry with a bright future. Within those projects, the machinery operators that shape the sites and perform the work needed for roads, homes, factories, and other building works are required in increasing numbers. Currently, manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand for machinery, showing just how much demand there is right now, and every machine needs an operator.

With well-paid work and good conditions, starting a career as an operator is a great choice, with the right training you can begin your new career much faster than you imagine, and start building that lucrative career.

Construction Workers

Just behind operators, with project growth of 11%, construction workers are in demand too. It should not be surprising, because every site needs construction workers to do all those things machines cannot. A skilled worker can dig trenches, mix and pour concrete, assemble components, and so on, the basics of any construction project.

As the industry grows, so does the need for construction workers, and again, with high demand comes increasing wages and a wider choice of sites to work on. A career as a construction worker is a great opportunity, with room for growth both in demand and position, thanks to easy access to high-quality training.

Crane Operators

Finally, crane operators, who while not quite at the growth expectation of the others at a projected 9%, are still in demand, Qualified crane operators are always in demand in all kinds of construction work, from large projects to home building, not only is it a lucrative career, but with so many options, it can be a varied one too.

Choosing a career as a crane operator makes sense, with skills that are always in demand all year round, providing a good, reliable income for the foreseeable future.