Most people’s concept of a heavy equipment operator is someone who is overweight and sits in a cab all day pulling levers and pushing pedals. When it comes to considering a career, that’s it. Nothing could be further from the truth. It actually takes a level of fitness to operate heavy equipment, particularly some of the older models where you have wrestle with the controls all day.

Is there a career path? The field of heavy equipment operations s no different to hundreds of other occupations – it is what you make of it. If you want a career with advancement opportunities then you need to work towards it.

As a heavy equipment operator your career options are varied. You could aspire to being a team leader or crew boss. In this role you are responsible for the allocation of tasks and the ongoing management of those tasks ensuring that jobs are done in the right order. Highway construction crews always have someone who is in charge of the equipment – you may hear the referred to as a foreman.

Training is another area that could be considered. The heavy equipment training industry is always looking for skilled operators with good communication and people skills. At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools we rely on the experience and skills of trainers to produce skilled operators for the industry.

Many individuals start as operators before undertaking further training to become mechanics skilled in the maintenance and repair of heavy equipment. Others become specialized in electrics or hydraulics.

The ultimate is to either become a construction site manager, or to become a business owner. Some operators eventually buy their own machinery and contract out their skills. Over time they add more heavy equipment along with the operators to satisfy the demand for their services.

There are career paths in all industries including heavy equipment. You can simply be an operator, and there is nothing wrong with that; or you can aspire to other positions within the industry. It’s your future and it’s your career – go for it.

Many older heavy equipment operators seem to look down on heavy equipment training schools preferring operators that they themselves have taught. Fortunately those older operators are few and far between these days. Formal training is a must if you wish to have a successful long term career in the industry.

In some areas, you not only need formal training, you also need to pass tests and obtain formal licenses before you can commence work. Truck driving is a prime example. There are a few distinct benefits to receiving formal training. These include:

Safety. By going through an accredited training program, you will learn the various safety measures that must be under taken on different pieces of machinery. Even the simplest of machines can be dangerous if not operated correctly, in accordance with proper procedures, rules and regulations.

Employability. The best jobs will require accredited training otherwise the employer not even both interviewing you. Proper training in the different machinery opens a lot of doors.

Mobility. Those who have received training from a nationally accredited school will also generally receive job-placement assistance. Oftentimes this extends long after graduation.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools is a nationally accredited training provider. We also offer employment assistance to those that graduate from our training programs. If your looking for a career change then visit our site for all the information on accredited training.

Social networking has been around for as long as mankind. Any group of like minded people gathering together could be (and should be) considered a social networking opportunity. Heavy equipment is no different to any other industry. You would be surprised at how many job vacancies are filled through a social networking experience rather than a straightforward job application.

Over the years the online community has included forums and social networking sites for many professionals. What some heavy equipment operators may not realize is the existence of several forums devoted to their industry. These forums appear to be run for the benefit of those that work in the industry, not those that buy and sell equipment.

Members offer each other advice for particular activities. For example, you may be required to dig a dam that already has some water in it. Members will offer advice as to which attachments would be best and how to approach the situations. There is another forum devoted to demolition work. Both make interesting reading.

Of course these forums are really only useful to heavy equipment operators working in the industry. To get your start in the industry as an operator you need training. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are the nations premier training school for heavy equipment operators. Contact us for more information on your career.

The backhoe has to be one of the weirdest designs when it comes to construction equipment. It looks a little like a praying mantis, sitting ready to pounce. Despite it’s weird design, the backhoe is one of the most versatile and most effective machines in use.

Comprising of a small bucket on the front and a smaller square trench digging bucket at the back (hence the term backhoe), the backhoe can work in quite small spaces and can be found at some stage on most building sites, particularly smaller ones like housing developments.

The small square bucket is generally used to dig trenches for foundations or for services such as water and gas. The larger bucket at the front is used to backfill and to clean up around a site. Where the backhoe becomes the versatility king is in the attachments that can be added. The backhoe can be removed and replaced with attachments such as a digging spike used for breaking up rock and concrete.

If you were to take a small front end loader and cut it in half and then add a small version of an excavator, without the swiveling cab, you would have a backhoe. Experienced operators of excavators or front end loaders have little trouble operating a backhoe, the reverse is not generally the case.

For an interesting career as either a backhoe operators, front end loader operator or excavator operator then check out the training program available through ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools.

There is a general level of dissatisfaction with the education system at present when it comes to construction, in particular careers as heavy equipment operators. This has resulted in a lack of young school leavers coming into the work force.

The current heavy equipment work force is ageing quite quickly. This has been reinforced in recent years as older people take on the trade. There are of course advantages and disadvantages in hiring mature age operators (by mature age I mean over 21). In fact new operators in their late twenties or early thirties have life skills and a higher level of common sense than 18-21 year olds. They also bring a lifetime of bad habits that often need to be un-learned.

It raises the question as to whether or not schools should be doing more to promote construction as a viable career option. Let’s face it, with out construction there would be no growth, no new housing and no new roads. The nation depends on construction as much as any other trade. Heavy equipment operations is just one sector of the wider construction field.

With more promotion and preparation, school leavers could start a valuable career in heavy equipment operations, learning skills that will last them a life time in an industry that will always have a high demand for skilled operators.

In the meantime, ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are here to promote the industry and train the next generation of operators. If you have a school leaver looking for an interesting and challenging career, check out heavy equipment operations.

The range of heavy equipment is extensive and when you consider how many different brands and models there are, employers often find it difficult to find the right operators for their equipment. Once you complete your training as bulldozer operator, one of the best things you can do is try to gain experience on as many different machines as possible.

Fortunately, bulldozers are one of the more common machines used in the heavy equipment industry. Because there are so many different bulldozers in the workplace, finding employment is never difficult. In fact, being a bulldozer operator you can move one from job to another building your experience on a variety a machines as you go.

Training to become a bulldozer operator is not too difficult. However if you have the opportunity to you should also gain experience on other equipment such as front end loaders, backhoes and motor graders. The wider the range of heavy equipment that you are competent at operating, the easier it becomes to find employment.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools include a wide range of heavy equipment in their training. You can check out the different types through their web site. The training is delivered in both a classroom and in the field format.

Heavy equipment is one of those industries that has two distinct workforces. There are those that are in for the long term – they find a good employer and stay with them for years. The second group are the transients who travel the country, finding work when they run out of funds. Many from the second group travel the world using their skills to fund their adventures. Because of the second group, there are always job openings for skilled operators.

In today’s modern world, skilled doesn’t always equate to years of experience. Some operators that come out of good training schools can be more skilled than those already in the industry. Sure, they have years of experience, but that is often on older heavy equipment. The latest heavy equipment can require a different set of skills, particularly when technology such as GPS is included. Job openings for individuals with knowledge of GPS are increasing all the time.

For many people, a career in heavy equipment can sound very attractive. What often stops people entering the industry is the lack of experience and confidence to operate the equipment. If you can drive a car, you are half way to operating the equipment.

Training schools such as ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools can provide you with that up to date knowledge and experience along with the confidence to apply to suitable job openings. If your looking for that change, check us our and while there, check out our employment assistance programs – the next job opening could be yours.

2009 will be an interesting year for everyone. There has been so much doom and gloom on the financial markets that most people are looking to tighten their belts and hang on to their money. The various governments on the other hand are looking to open their wallets and spend up big, and they all hope we do the same. What’s in store for heavy equipment operators then if money is tight?

Employment prospects for heavy equipment operators are good. In fact you may even find there is a shortage of operators in some sectors. Truck drivers are always in heavy demand. We all eat and we all buy the basic necessities. In fact some areas of consumer spending will increase as we all decide to stay at home to eat and play.

Whilst home construction may fall in 2009, the reality is that there is not a huge call for heavy equipment operators. Sure, bulldozers may come in and level a building site, but on housing estates, that has often been done years in advance. Excavators, particularly the mini kind may find a small downturn. They are often employed to dig the trenches for service connections.

The real demand for heavy equipment operators is in the road building, mining, forestry and large building construction sectors. These will all see a rise in demand for operators. Roads are one area that governments throw money at when they want to spend.

With the price of commodities on the rise, the employment prospects for heavy equipment operators in mines will increase. The large building construction sector will also see a rise in demand for operators as again governments build new hospitals and schools.

2009 will be a good year for trained and qualified heavy equipment operators. If your thinking of taking up a career as a heavy equipment operator then enroll today. This is the last opportunity to take advantage of our training discount. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools start new training programs on a regular basis. Get in now and take advantage of the employment prospects for 2009.

If you have ever wanted to become a truck driver the now is the best time to enroll for truck driver and CDL training. Our training program is designed to teach you the fundamentals of driving and to prepare you for the Class-A Commercial Driver License (CDL) road test.

Our graduates have found employment in many different types of truck driving jobs including equipment transporting, dump trucks/trailers, sand and gravel, paving, concrete/asphalt, mining, freight haulers, construction materials, tankers to name just a few.

Training includes classroom and ‘hands-on’ training and covers subjects such as Department of Transportation rules, safety and safe operation of equipment, Commercial Driver License regulations, logbooks, and hazardous materials in the classroom whilst the “hands-on” training includes backing and other close quarter maneuvers, pre-trip inspections, coupling and uncoupling and actual Highway and City driving.

If you enroll before close of business on December 31 (and that’s tomorrow), you could receive a nice discount on your training fees. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools is the biggest network of heavy equipment training schools in the country. Call 1.800.678.8120 or visit our heavy equipment training website for more details.

There is one thing I always see as students graduate from their heavy equipment operator training program – there is a look – a gleam in the eye – sweaty palms – they just cannot wait to get out into the workforce and put their new found skills to work. They want jobs.

Of course, for many of them it’s not because they want a job. Oh no, it is because they have already scored a job and they cannot wait to front up on Monday morning ready to start. I am sure for some they would rather start right there and then. Job placement is always a concern when you make a career move. If your smart, you will start your job search the moment you start your training.

Our heavy equipment operator schools are well known for producing highly skilled and competent operators ready to perform in the work place. Employers know it and often come to us with job vacancies looking for one of our graduates to fill that vacancy.

We now utilize a job placement database that students can access to help search for employers and job vacancies. A job placement coordinator can also help students locate suitable employers, particularly if they are looking for a job placement in a particular area.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools offer quality training and employment assistance. Enroll now and you may be entitled to a discount of your training fees. Hurry – the offer ends in on Wednesday December 31.