One of the things that makes this country great is that it has always been a land of opportunity, and while the economics of the world change and affect us, those opportunities still remain. That is why we have such amazing provisions as the Universal Displaced Worker Program to help people recover from such issues.

It is sad, but true, that some industries have been slowly dying in the U.S., and when plants close, or jobs simply disappear due to lack of demand, it leaves those workers in a difficult situation. Many have specific skills that are no longer needed, and this can lead to them taking lower-paid, unskilled jobs, a spiral that reduces their income but also affects communities, with lower taxes paid overall and less money available to spend in local businesses. When a major employer falls in this way, the long-term effect can destroy whole communities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. That is why it is so important for the government to deliver programs to help in these cases, it is not just individuals affected, it can be the end of entire regions.

Getting people into well-paid jobs and starting new careers is key, and retraining is an essential part of that process for them to get back on their feet again. That is where the government program comes in, providing state funding for those displaced workers looking to retrain for a new career. State grants for training are available through the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, and they are designed to help displaced workers fund training that provides valuable new in-demand skills for a new career.

At ATS we are proud to be part of that, and it can help you sort through your funding options and the assistance that the displaced worker programs can offer. State funding is available for qualifying displaced workers across our range of courses, which provide the skills you need to build a successful career as a heavy machinery operator, crane operator, or other construction opportunities.

Our courses offer a fast, effective route into that new career, with in-demand skills that provide well-paid, stable, and reliable career paths for our students. Featuring both on-site and in-classroom learning, we prepare our students with the skills they need, but also the real-world experience that prepares them for the job. We can help you ensure your displaced worker funding sets you on the right path for a rewarding, successful new career in a vibrant, growing industry with a real future.

Veterans have protected this country, and now, along with so many others, they are part of a countrywide effort to rebuild it, providing the infrastructure that the future of America will be powered by, and we are honored to be able to play a small part in that.

As both state and federal governments are focusing on infrastructure, and the need to invest significantly into rebuilding and modernizing existing infrastructure and building the new construction that will support us into the future, a career in construction has perhaps never offered so much potential.

In fact, there is so much support for construction, it is no wonder that so many are looking to retrain to build new careers in the industry. One of the largest groups doing that is our veterans, who are taking advantage of the various programs such as the GI Bill that give them the opportunity to learn new skills and build new careers. With such demand for construction skills, it should be no surprise that veterans are frequently turning to the construction industry and the various skills training that is on offer. Transitioning from the military can be a challenge, and having a stable, reliable career can be an important part of that process, and the construction industry has a lot to offer in that regard.

Here at ATS, we are extremely proud of the fact that we have helped over 2000 veterans retrain and forge new, lucrative careers for themselves as they adapt to civilian life. Through various funding and other assistance, programs veterans have taken part in our courses that deliver classroom coaching and on-site experience, enabling them to gain the skills and confidence to build careers to be proud of. We actively promote the programs that provide the funding veterans need for those skills, and in addition, we offer qualified veterans an additional incentive, covering the cost of their accommodation during any courses they take with us, our way of saying thanks for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf.

We also think that it is fitting for veterans who have already given so much for their country, and are retraining to be part of projects that will literally rebuild it. Infrastructure projects across America are reshaping towns and cities, and they will be the platform on which the future of this country is built on. That so many veterans are involved with these projects, leaving their mark on this country in another way, is a testament to their courage and work ethic, and something they, and all of us, should be immensely proud of.

Recent Minnesota figures have shown increasing construction expenditure right across the state, with projects as diverse as high-speed railroads to major new hotels breaking ground in almost every state as well. For heavy equipment operators, this means more opportunities, more demand, and a healthy career, with the industry growing steadily.

One large construction initiative has just launched in Minnesota, where a massive program of road improvement, under the ‘Corridors of Commerce’ initiative, has been given $400 million of funding for work this year. That makes it one of the larger road projects in the country, and it sees four individual projects break ground to deliver improved traffic flow and reduce congestion right across the state.

Minnesota Road Projects Include

Converting Highway 169 into a freeway, the addition of MnPASS lanes on Highway 494, expanding I-94 from four to six lanes, and construction of a new turbine interchange between northbound I-35W to westbound I-494 traffic. Projects were chosen from numerous options based on the modeled effect on traffic congestion and throughput, with these four offerings having the broadest effect on the traffic problems that Minnesota has been struggling with for a while.

Of course, with such a significant amount of road construction, heavy equipment operators will be in high demand throughout the state, with a variety of machinery in use across these projects, including motor graders. Rollers, excavators, wheel loaders, and cranes. It represents a terrific opportunity for skilled operators, however, it is not restricted to Minnesota road building. While this project is a fitting example of the effects of the country focusing on improving infrastructure, this is just one project.

Decisions to invest in new infrastructure, or to improve existing provisions such as this one are being taken in every state, and funding is being given to such projects almost every week. This road project at $400 million is a large one, but there are new construction projects starting up all over the country in a similar way. Some are larger, some smaller, some are building roads, some railroad lines, and others are transforming derelict land into affordable places to live, but all require the skills of heavy machinery operators, crane operators, and other construction professionals.

All over the country, as infrastructure is being recognized for its importance, investment is growing, and for skilled construction workers, opportunities for well-paid, satisfying careers are growing with them. As the country sets itself to rebuild, it is the construction workers who will the backbone of those efforts.

There are an increasing number of homes and new businesses being built around the country, with projects in every state providing new builds or renovating existing structures or repurposing larger developments. However, that construction does not end at the project site, and all this activity means that there is an increase in utility needs and digger derrick operators as well. Couple that with the steady upgrading of utility supply and you find that in every state, utility work is in high demand.

There are a number of skills that are essential for utility work of any kind, but one of the most common is for digger derrick operators. Digger derricks are some of the most versatile heavy equipment in use today, not just in utility work, but in all construction. With a history dating back over 70 years, these machines have adapted to the changes in utility work as the years have passed, until today we have a machine that can dig holes and turn in screw anchors, lift and set poles and transformers, and provide a lift platform for linemen when needed. It is at the core of almost all utility work, and because the machine is, so is the digger derrick operator.

At ATS we provide a comprehensive, accessible training solution that not only gives you the skills to operate a digger derrick accurately, safely, and effectively in any situation but the on-site awareness and confidence to build a successful, lucrative career. Our digger derrick course covers all aspects of operation and includes both classroom-based education as well as practical, hands-on experience with the machines in our dedicated sites. This ensures our students are prepared for the reality of site work, something employers are looking for and appreciate.

With a curriculum that includes all aspects of operation, from the detailed safety-focused operation, including the components of the machine itself, an inspection of all equipment and site evaluation, through to all aspects of the machine operations for its various functions, identifying and dealing with underground hazards, safely pulling poles and operating around overhead utility hazards. From setting the machine up, to stowing the digger derrick components for transport and everything in between is covered in this comprehensive course.

At the end of the course, students are ready to successfully pass both written and practical digger derrick exams administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). This is a nationally recognized award that employers are looking for, putting students in the best position to launch a successful career in an industry that values their skills. With ATS to guide you, that career could be yours sooner than you think.

As a heavy machinery operator, there are so many career options and job opportunities that it is often hard to make a choice. While many instantly think of someone working a backhoe or dozer on a construction site when they think of heavy machinery operators, they are far more varied in reality, and one area that offers a lucrative option is that of working in landfills.

This is very different from working on construction sites, or even mining, from the job itself to the machinery used, landfills are unique, but it also offers a great opportunity to build skills and a career. While you will find loaders and dozers at any landfill, the compactor is the machine that stands out at all landfills. If you have ever seen any images of a landfill, it’s normally of a compactor moving across the rubbish.

They are used to distribute and compact rubbish in order to reduce gas emissions, stabilize the material deposited and optimize the capacity of the landfill. While they have a blade at the front similar to a dozer, there are some unique features. The front and rear frames are connected via a flexible joint, to allow the compactor to adapt to what is often extremely uneven ground, and the cab is often isolated from the frame to provide a more comfortable experience and excellent all-around visibility, particularly important on landfill sites. What is most recognizable for compactors though, is the wheels. Spiked metal rims, no rubber, to gain traction and compact the rubbish deposits the machine is driven over. A unique machine that has evolved to be perfect for the job it does.

Operating a different kind of heavy equipment is always a good way to improve skills, but what is life really like in a landfill as an operator? Whether you are in a dozer, loader, or compactor, it is a challenging job, with the environment itself something that many operators struggle with. In summer it’s hot, and the smell can become extremely unpleasant, and in the winter, it leaves the machine exposed to the worst of the weather, with a long day in the cab that can be an issue. For operators, safety is also something to focus on, the environment makes spotters and other workers on foot or in machines incredibly vulnerable, and it takes skill to move the heavy machines around such a site safely.

However, it is not all bad news, and with landfill work not being as attractive as other options, there is high demand for landfill workers right across the country, and that means good pay and reliable, year-round work.  For those that can get used to the environment, landfill work is important, in-demand, and appreciated, and a great place to build a sustainable, lucrative career.

Signalperson

Safety is crucial on any site, and this is especially true where there are cranes in operation. When we think of cranes, it is the crane operator that is the job that comes to mind, but there are several other positions that are crucial to safe crane operation, and one of those is the crane signalperson. The crane signalperson is not new, it has been part of construction since industrial cranes became common, and were sometimes called spotters, but what is it they do?

It is the crane signalperson’s job to ensure the safe operation of a crane, working in tandem with the crane operator, to move large loads safely around a site. There are two aspects of the job, the first is the physical inspection of the load and equipment, and the second is guiding the operator during a lift. Beginning with the load itself, the crane signal person should be able to spot issues with the load itself, such as incorrect weight distribution, the load hook is correctly positioned, the rigging chain is set correctly without twists, and so on, and that load weight, position relating to the boom and other factors are all correct.

They also play an important part in the lift itself, firstly, before the load is moved, assessing the hoisting path, including whether it means being too close to any hazards or traveling over the heads of site workers causing a safety issue that must be highlighted and measures are taken to avoid. Once the lift is in progress, the crane signal person directs the crane operator, using a series of special hand signals or a hands-free radio system. In this way, the operator is always kept aware of the precise position of the load, its movement including direction and speed, when to stop, if there are any dangers, and so on. It is a partnership that allows cranes to operate safely.

CCO Signalperson Certification

Accomplishing that needs a good understanding of the cranes themselves, and in many ways, a crane signalperson needs to have as good an understanding of crane operation as the operator themselves, and of course, that means training. Becoming an NCCCO certified crane signalperson is a requirement for employment, and the approved courses that get you certified provide the skills and understanding of both crane operation and the safety aspects of moving large loads on site that are needed to perform the tasks required properly. To be a qualified crane signalperson, there are a few requirements. Passing both the written and practical examinations are essential, without proof of those qualifications you cannot be employed as a crane signal person, you must also be over eighteen years of age and drug-free.

Those qualifications and the skills needed to get them can be learned through a variety of training approaches, however, the best training includes both classroom training and a chance to put those newly learned skills into practice on-site, not only giving the technical understanding needed but the confidence gained from real-world experience to get out there and launch a lucrative career as a crane signalperson.

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, or NCCCO

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, or NCCCO, exists as an independent, not-for-profit body that administers a nationwide program of training and certification for crane operators. Since its founding in 1996, NCCO has worked with the industry itself to develop courses and standards that reflect the requirements of the modern crane operator, both in terms of practical operational knowledge and the necessary safety requirements crane operation needs today.

Their certifications cover all kinds of cranes, including mobile, boom trucks, tower cranes, overhead cranes, and others, and include accreditation for operators, crane signal persons, riggers, and lift directors as well. Whichever program you look at though, CCO certification programs are developed alongside industry experts, and since 1998 have received formal recognition by federal OSHA as meeting their requirements.

That recognition is key, and what makes NCCCO programs such an important part of any crane operator, or any other crane professional’s career. Approved courses give student’s the skills to operate safely, it is the core of everything the NCCCO does. Training new operators, riggers, and signal persons to be safe from the very beginning of their careers, to base everything they do upon those safety choices, then it is creating a safer workplace for all.

A nationally recognized credential that is approved by the federal organization also ensures that those undertaking training programs that deliver NCCCO credentials are of a standard that meets federal requirements. That alone is crucial to finding employment in the industry, and why we here at ATS use NCCCO approved programs for all of our crane courses.

Why National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators

With NCCCO approved credentials, employers know that you have the skills, knowledge, and technical understanding that is required to operate cranes safely or work as a signalperson, rigger, or in any other related position. These qualifications are recognized across the country, in any state potential employers will know that NCCO certified operators, riggers, and so on have the skills needed, and this makes building a successful career a much easier prospect. In fact, with NCCCO credentials also being recognized internationally, your crane operator career has no limits once you have achieved accreditation.

Through transparent, quality-assured standards of training and accreditation, it also ensures that every student reaches the required level, fair and open for everyone. That is true for every NCCCO course, including everyone we offer. With ATS and NCCCO, you get the very best training and qualifications that are recognized around the world. Whether you are just starting out on your journey in the industry, or an experienced hand, having NCCCO accreditation tells potential employers you have what they are looking for, and helps you to achieve your goals.

Interested in seeing part of Associated Training Services facility? Take a free tour of our classrooms. We offer 8 classrooms to cover all programs from heavy equipment, mobile crane, rigging and directional drilling. Simply click on the image below to start the tour.

What is the Purpose of Directional Drilling

Being able to lay pipes, conduits, and other underground connectivity without digging trenches has transformed how we approach many projects, and the directional drilling that enables it has rapidly grown in popularity with both clients and contractors as a result. As the technology has been refined, many projects have been completed that would have been impossible without the use of the direct drilling technology, however for those interested in just how it has changed construction, it is by understanding how the technology works on site, and what it allows construction teams to do, that is key.

A good example of the progress directional drilling has allowed can be seen in a recent project that involved a gas pipe crossing the Delaware River, and not only that but also a railroad line as well. Before directional drilling this project would have been incredibly challenging, disrupting the railroad operation, but with directional drilling, this could all be avoided.

Starting on one side of the crossing, the directional drilling machine began drilling the channel to the depth required and was then able to create the underground tunnel, going under both the river and railroad, to emerge where required. With over 8,000 feet of 24-inch steep piping installed, this was a huge undertaking that was completed on time and with no disruption to any railroad operation, something that would be impossible with any other installation process.

While the ability to install underground pipework without digging large channels saves money and time, and directional drilling is rightly praised for that, it is the ability to install piping and other underground equipment without disturbing the surrounding environment that is perhaps the most important aspect. Here it was a busy working railroad, in other projects, notably the rollout of new fiber broadband equipment by both Comcast and Google, it is the ability to install conduit without any disruption to a pavement, road, business, home, or anything else that not only makes directional drilling so valuable, but that enables projects to be carried out when previously you would see public opposition due to the levels of disruption proposed.

In that way, directional drilling is not just cost-efficient and time-saving, but it also enables projects that might otherwise be impractical or be delayed for years due to legal challenges. As more projects adopt drilling to avoid extensive excavation, the need for skilled directional drilling machine operators grows with it, and this has become one of the most in-demand skill sets in construction today.

Scrapers

On any construction site, you will see a wide variety of heavy equipment, and one of the largest is scrapers. While some machines you see on sites, such as bulldozers and backhoes tell you just what they are designed to do by their appearance, the scraper, with its upfront cab pulling a large wagon, doesn’t give anything away.

Within that large, heavy wagon section of any scraper is a gated front with a blade at the bottom. With the gate open, the blade scrapes up material as the machine moves forward, forcing the excavated material into the wagon itself until it is filled. The gate is then closed, and the scraper can transport that material away to be disposed of. If you imagine a carpenter’s plane as it shaves off wood, that is the best way to describe how a scraper operates.

It is important to remember that there are several other machines that would at first glance seem to do the same job, a bulldozer for instance, but when it comes to scraping a surface nothing is as efficient as the scraper itself. The ability to scrape and remove material in one go with a single machine sets the scraper apart on site, but it betters the alternatives in other ways too.

Tasks

Scrapers are used for several tasks, most commonly for earth removal on construction sites or even in mining operations. Here, the big blade and ability to remove its own waste material make this purpose-designed machine much more effective than other equipment. In addition, unlike all other earth-moving options that require dry conditions, scrapers can easily move wet soil, which can save a huge amount of time for contractors. In fact, the scraper is particularly suited to heavier soils or other tough materials, and its efficiency advantage increases even further in those conditions.  In today’s world, scrapers have another significant advantage, offering up to a 30% reduction in fuel consumption compared to alternatives, again, reducing costs significantly for contractors.

With all those advantages, it is no surprise that scrapers, and scraper operators, are in high demand. With a skilled operator, scrapers can dig, load, haul and dump with just that one machine, whereas in the past, they may have taken as many as three machines. From volume earth moving to surface preparation on site, the scraper has proved itself a machine that can reduce costs and speed up operations. It may look odd, but it does its job perfectly.