This week’s job listings also include a couple of hiring presentations at our Wisconsin driving school. There is also a job listing that offers ongoing training in heavy equipment, perfect for those looking to develop new skills and add new equipment to their operating range.

WI, Diesel Driving School – Hiring Presentation on 10/4/11 at 4 P.M.

WI, Diesel Driving School – Hiring Presentation on 10/5/2011 at 4 P.M.

Clinton, KY – HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II
Drive truck hauling materials to and from job site. Operate dump truck with snow plow and salt spreader working snow and ice. Learn to operate with supervision frontend loader while loading trucks with materials & load salt during winter months. Learn to operate backhoe to load materials onto trucks.

Tampa, FL – EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II
Performs duties operating a wide variety of motorized equipment used in public works projects.

New jobs are coming in all the time so be sure to check out our job site if you are looking for new opportunities. Hiring presentations listed are provided by different companies, so if you’re interesting truck driving jobs, put both into your schedule. If a career operating heavy equipment, cranes or driving trucks appeals, then check out our range of training options. There is work available, you just need to develop your skills.

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.

What sets some heavy equipment training schools apart from others? In a nutshell, some care about the future of their graduates while others only care about the future of their bank balances. To be blunt, training schools have to make a profit in order to survive – but that’s business. Along the way, you can be profit focused, or customer focused, and history tells us that the most successful businesses are those that focus on the customer – and that’s the student when it comes to training.

Associated Training Schools have been training truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and crane operators for almost fifty years. One of the reasons we have been successful is the focus we place on the students’ future. We aim to make training as accessible as possible. In that regard, we offer assistance with financing your training and assistance with accommodation while undertaking your training. Our training is designed to be as complete as possible including both classroom-based tuition, and hands-on in-the-seat training – you get to do the operating, not watching someone else do it.

While our focus is on training you to a standard that makes you employable, we are also working with you to help you find that first job. It is not unusual for students to have their first job already arranged, before they have even graduated – they leave our training school and walk straight into their first job. Our career services section has thousands of employers they can refer graduates to, and online job site where employers post job vacancies (you can also check this blog on Saturday’s for some of the latest opportunities).

By focusing your successful long term future, we are also achieving our long term aims. Those aims include staying in business and employing some of the best training staff available – but then, that is also helping you achieve your dreams. If you are looking for heavy equipment training, crane operator training, or truck driver training, then make sure your training company is interested in your long term future, and not just the size of your wallet.

Whilst some consider a career operating cranes as boring, mobile crane operators would certainly argue otherwise. Being mobile, they spend time on the road traveling from job to job, and for the very large cranes, that can be hundreds of miles. Not only do mobile crane operators travel around a lot, they are also doing very different work all the time.

Every job has its boring aspect. Raising and lowering pipes into a trench is not exactly a test of ones skills. However, tomorrow, you could be helping to pull a car out of a river, and that may well test you out. If you can think of a task where a crane could be required to offer assistance, then you almost guarantee a mobile crane is the tool of choice.

One of the most interesting jobs that has caught our eyes in recent years is the case of the grossly overweight woman who needed to be transported to a hospital. There was no way an ambulance stretcher could get her down a staircase, and there was no way she could walk down, so a crane was called in to help workers first, make the window opening much larger, and secondly, to help lower her to the ground.

Mobile crane operators do have interesting careers. They are well paid, and there is always plenty of demand for well trained operators. Crane operator training can be completed in as little as three weeks, and once you have passed your crane operator certification assessments, you are ready to start your first job. If you’re interested in a career as a crane operator, then contact us at Associated Training Schools – it’s the first step to a great career as a mobile crane operator.

Who said there were no jobs for heavy equipment operators. We have enough jobs to satisfy everyone; at least, it seems that way. If you’re looking for work as a heavy equipment operator, crane operator, or truck driver, then check out what we have listed today. If there’s nothing there to really suit you, then check out other vacancies listed on our job site.

Finish Grader Operator – Polk County – Bartow, FL
Employer is looking for operators that have the physical, developmental, and mental ability to operate construction and maintenance equipment used primarily for finish grading operations.

Heavy Equipment Operator II – Walker, LA
This is a year-round position that involves the safe operation of various heavy equipment vehicles that perform the collection, transportation, and disposal of commercial and residential waste. Occasionally, items up to 75 lb. must be lifted while performing the daily routine in all weather conditions. Some shift, night, weekend, holiday work or overtime may be required. Daily vehicle inspection is required as is the completion of daily logs and reports.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Rhinebeck, NY
Experienced. Must be able to run various types of equipment. Competitive Salary, Medical Benefits, 401K. Daylight Shift.

Heavy Equipment Operator/Yard Associate – Benton Harbor, MI
This position is responsible for sorting different grades of material on delivery in the yard or in a specific department. They will have direct contact with all the customers. They will weigh, sort, upgrade and package materials. Operate computer, machinery and small equipment Actively participates and displays behaviors of the company values.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Laney, M.T.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Milpitas, CA
The purpose of the job is to operate heavy equipment safely, productively and efficiently. This job could require pushing, compacting, grading, loading or hauling waste or dirt and could require working alone or teaming with other Heavy equipment.

Operator – South Charleston, WV – ### Entry Level ###
Perfect for new graduates. Entry Level Operator (Operator-B) position requires the ability to transfer chemicals, perform physical activities, operate various types of equipment, utilize effective written and oral communication and complete all required training.

Motor Vehicle Operator – Gatlinburg, TN

Equipment Operator/Truck Driver – Leesburg, VA
Seeking qualified applicants for an Equipment Operator/Truck Driver position. Hiring Range: $27,656-$38,511

Heavy Equipment Operator – Dallas, TX
Work with Dozers, Backhoe, Trackhoes, and conducting excavation.

Equipment Operator – Portsmouth, VA

Heavy Equipment Operator – Sulphur, KY
Operate heavy equipment at a transfer station, recyclery and/or landfill for the purpose of transferring, spreading, covering, loading and/or compacting waste or soil in a productive and safe manner.

Backhoe operators with CDL-A – Bryan, TX

Crane Operator – Baltimore, MD
Immediate need for multiple experienced NCCCO crane operators for permanent employment. Crane operator should have experience operating in a construction environment, preferably in an industrial or civil setting. These positions are located on the East Coast, so must be open to relocation.

Spray Rig operators with CDL-A and hazmat – Campbell, NE

There are employment options for heavy equipment operators, crane operators and truck drivers right across the nation. If you’re interested in a career in any of these field, then contact us for more information about training to become skilled in these areas.

Heavy equipment is a field that involves a wide range of equipment. To be successful, operators need experience on more than one type of machine. With some equipment, the types of operations are very similar, it’s just the type of equipment that is different. The easiest machinery to see this in the backhoe and the loader and excavator.

It has often been said that if you can operate a backhoe successfully, you will have no trouble operating a loader or an excavator. In truth, each of these machines is decidedly different. However, they have enough similarities that if you were trained in each you would have no trouble swapping between them at a moment’s notice.

To say that a backhoe works in the same manner as an excavator is not quite right. Sure, knowledge of dirt and the way it reacts when working with either machine is the same, and the process of digging a trench is very similar. Backhoes are generally wheeled vehicles while excavators are normally driven on tracks (also known as continuous tracks or caterpillar tracks). Maneuvering each is very different, and often stabilizing is also different.

Loaders, too, are different compared to backhoes. While the process of moving dirt is very similar, loaders are often articulated while backhoes are normally one solid unit. Articulated requires different driving skills and maneuvering can be tricky if you haven’t had any experience.

While loaders and excavators are different than backhoes, the actual work involved is often very similar. Some employers prefer to use backhoes whilst other prefer two separate machines. What is important is to have heavy equipment training that exposes you to, and gives you, in-the-seat practice in all three machinery types. That will prepare you for a career where you can operate any one of those machines with confidence, and with skill.

There’s more to driving a truck than most people realize. Simple maneuvers like going around a corner takes planning, yet skilled truck drivers do it without an apparent thought. The same can be said for reversing a tractor trailer – skilled drivers do it with ease while novices invariably take several attempts before they come close to achieving the desired results. When undertaking truck driver training, the most important component is your skilled training instructor. From the student’s perspective, getting the most out of that instructor is what will count at the end of your training.

It can be hard, but often the first thing a student needs is to forget all preconceived ideas about truck driving, and to put aside their experiences as car drivers. Cars and trucks are very different when it comes driving, and one of the biggest mistakes new truck drivers make is to attempt maneuvers that they perform everyday in their car – lane hopping is a good example; you just cannot do it in a truck. If, as a student, you can clear your mind, you’ll soon start to absorb and put into practice the training provided by your instructor.

Instructors have two advantages over students – truck driving experience is obviously one of those advantages. The second advantage is their skill in passing on that knowledge and experience. A good quality truck driver training school will employ instructors that are skilled in both areas. There are tens of thousands of truck drivers on the road today, but very few of them have the skills to pass on their knowledge effectively. Those that do have that ability should be treated like gold mines. The more you dig, the more knowledge you’ll acquire, and the more knowledge, the better your skills.

When undertaking truck driver training from a recognized truck driver training school, take every advantage to gain as much knowledge and experience from your instructors. When your behind the wheel, listen to them, follow their instructions, and feel free to ask questions – if you don’t know, and it’s related to truck driving, then you need to know, and the only way you’ll find out is by asking. Get the most out of your training and you’ll be a better driver for it.

Being multi-skilled is important in today’s work environment and while we have often discussed the benefits of having heavy equipment training and a commercial drivers license there are other skills that compliment both occupations. If you are multi-skilled, then you have more to offer employers. It also means you can step in to do another job when the need arises, without breaching any safety laws that may apply. Complimentary skills that you could consider include:

• Fork Lift operations – being able to operate a forklift enables truck operators to load/unload their own trucks
• Overhead crane operations – overhead cranes are used in a wide range of workplaces, particularly in warehousing
• Signalperson qualifications – while you may spend much of your time operating heavy equipment, it’s handy to be able to be called on to work at ground level when required
• GPS training – heavy equipment and modern trucks now rely on GPS to help complete tasks
• Equipment maintenance – being able to maintain your equipment increases reliability and reduces down time

While training courses often include these components – for example, heavy equipment training may include fork lift, maintenance and some GPS training – it doesn’t hurt to build on these skills once you have developed your working skills. Some training establishments offer these skills individually while others may allow you to enroll and to complete modules that only relate to your specific area of need. For example, a truck driver completing the maintenance module for heavy equipment would be very handy if your job is to transport heavy equipment from site to site.

The more skills that relate to your career, the more employable you are. Employers value multi skilled employees over single skill employees all the time, so if the opportunity arises to build on your skills, grab that opportunity with both hands.

While everyone is bemoaning the lack of employment opportunities across the nation, we are seeing a steady stream of employment opportunities for heavy equipment operators and truck drivers roll in. Check the latest jobs below; in particular, vacancies in our training school for instructors.

Garnivillo, IA – heavy equipment operators wanted for the surface mine work. If you want to get into the lucrative mining industry, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Cincinnati, OH – vacancies exist for several heavy equipment operators. The hourly rate is $31 for equipment operator III to operate trucks, and heavy equipment to support work crews and the overall plant operations requiring the use of heavy equipment.

Ruffs Dale, PA – three heavy equipment operators required to help with natural gas pipeline construction. Overtime, weekend, and away from home work is sometimes required. Applicants must be able to read, write, and follow directions. Experience a must. Applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and will be subject to random testing. We offer a competitive pay and benefit package.

Willis, TX – bulldozer operators required who are able to grade to site with GPS.

Chippewa Falls, WI – heavy equipment operators required for blacktop and roadways·

Sun Prairie, WI – Associated Training Services – yes, we are hiring Heavy Equipment instructors with 3+yrs in the construction trades. You can apply at www.work4ats.com and pass your experience, skills and knowledge on to the next generation of heavy equipment operators.

You can find more details on these jobs on our job site. Employment demand for heavy equipment operators, crane operators and truck drivers remains steady despite the impact of the economy (perhaps because of it in some areas). If you are considering a career change, there’s no better time than the present, and we can help you transition into a new career by providing quality heavy equipment training, and access to a wide range of employment opportunities.

There are times when standard training to operate heavy equipment doesn’t satisfy the needs of a particular job. What is required is specific training that has been customized to meet the needs of the work required. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have decades of experience training individuals to operate heavy equipment, and this includes designing specific training programs to meet an employer’s needs.

Cost is always an important factor when it comes to training a work crew. As an employer, you can hire a dedicated trainer and they can either design the training program you need, or buy an off-the-shelf training program and modify it to fit your needs. This can be an expensive option, especially if you have a small group of employees, and there is no ongoing need for that heavy equipment trainer.

A less expensive option is to talk to us at ATS. We can discuss your specific heavy equipment operator needs, design a training program that trains operators to meet those needs, then deliver the training. More importantly, that training plan doesn’t end up in the trash once we have completed your training. That training plan is always available should your employers ever need refresher, or if you engage new employees who require specific training.

While standard heavy equipment training programs do provide a solid grounding in heavy equipment operations, there are a wide range of workplaces where the training needs to be more specific. If you are an employer about to take on a new contract, and you feel your employees need specific skills to meet that contract, talk to us – we customize your heavy equipment training, we’re flexible when it comes to delivery of training (your site or ours – which days), and our training is backed by a solid reputation earned through decades of quality training.