Heavy equipment safety has become an important issue and many states now insist on operators having some form of safety training. Employers themselves are now starting to see the worth of safety training. Consider the two sides of the issue. Accidents mean stoppages, injuries, inquiries, possibly fines, and the job finishing behind schedule. No accidents means – well, the opposite. No injuries, no inquires, no stoppages, a happier workplace and jobs finishing ahead of schedule.

Southern Industrial Constructors are a classic example. They have just celebrated a full year with zero accidents in the workplace. You may think “so what?.” However, consider this: they employ 750 employees at sites spread around the country. This means safety is a prime concern, not in one place, but in multiple places. As one of the nation’s biggest employers of construction workers and heavy equipment operators, this is a record to be proud of.

How have they managed to achieve this record? Safety training, including ongoing training on a regular basis, has formed an important part of their safety platform. Workers are rewarded for working within safety guidelines. More importantly, using crane operators as an example:

(…source)The company advocates nationally for industry safety standards requiring its crane operators to be certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools along with ATS Crane Operator Schools have long promoted safety in the workplace. All nationally accredited training includes safety components as laid down by the relevant national bodies for each equipment type. For our crane operators, we offer training that has been accredited and graduates can be assessed at our training centers for accreditation by the NCCCO. Heavy equipment safety training is helping to reduce workplace accidents – just ask Southern Industrial Constructors.

Associated Training Services has been delivering training since 1966 – that’s almost forty-five years of training. Not only is it over forty-five years of training, it is more than 50,000 students passing through our training facilities. Over the years we have delivered training in carpentry, truck driving, heavy equipment operations, crane operations, and GPS technology. We have ten training centers located in:

Wisconsin (1963),
Florida (2002),
New Hampshire (2004),
Ohio (2003),
Virginia (2005),
Colorado (2006),
South Carolina (2006),
Southern California (2007),
Northern California (2008), and
Texas (2008).

If you want to see Associated Training Services in action, I suggest you head on over to the ATS Training Channel on YouTube. We have eleven videos available that proudly display our training over the years. In fact, check out this video an you can see some of the machinery we currently use to train students. You should also make note of the range of ages and gender. Yes, women undertake training as well. Check out the ATS training video on YouTube.

Interested in a career in heavy equipment? I will assume you are since you are here reading this post. Visit our main site – there are a range of options available to you. You can:

Review training options,
Apply for training,
Sign up and take our free online training program,
Grab a free brochure and DVD,
Find more information on job placement, certification and accreditation,
Apply for financial assistance,
and much more

If you are serious about becoming a truck driver, crane operator or heavy equipment operator then check out the videos and visit our main site. There is plenty of work available for operators with good skills and the right attitude. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools can provide you with the skills – do you have the right attitude?

Heavy equipment training has been accredited for many years. In 1995, eleven of the world’s most progressive construction companies, manufacturers and national trade associations came together to form the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

At the time, the NCCER had several aims, the chief being to develop standardized construction, maintenance and pipeline curriculum and training standards. Since 1995 the NCCER has developed assessment criteria that each training school is required to meet to obtain their accreditation to deliver industry related training programs.

Students who undertake heavy equipment training through an NCCER accredited training provider have the benefit of being awarded a qualification that is recognized nation wide. Given the expected growth in employment around the country over the next 12 months, this portability could prove to be very useful.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are accredited through the NCCER to deliver training for heavy equipment used in the construction industry. ATS schools are also accredited through state boards of education in: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, Pennsylvanian, Colorado, Florida and Georgia.

With that level of accreditation you know you can trust us to deliver the very best in heavy equipment training and to have you ready to tackle the workplace as soon as you have completed your training.

Many training schools go through a process of accreditation before delivering training programs. The heavy equipment training industry is no different. Some people ask whether or not accreditation really means anything and if it does, how does it benefit a student?

Accreditation is a process of checking to see whether or not a training school delivers training to a recognized curriculum. By using a set curriculum employers know exactly what areas have been covered in the training. In fact, it is those same employers that are often asked for input when a standard curriculum is being designed – after all, they are the employers, they know what skills they require from new heavy equipment graduates.

Training schools that are accredited are often able to deliver training programs under government funded programs. For example, ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are accredited through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). How does this benefit the student? Successful students are Nationally Certified by NCCER and receive certifications and credentials from NCCER for any of the accredited training programs.

Furthermore, we are currently certified as an eligible training provider under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in most states. This designation allows us to participate in WIA funding programs administered by state’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD). If you are eligible, your heavy equipment training may be funded in part or completely by the government.

Some of our heavy equipment training schools are approved for the training of veterans under the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs. Students Eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits may use those benefits when attending these schools.

Once you have completed your training, the certificate you receive will be recognized in all states. This means you can seek employment in any state and be recognized as a qualified heavy equipment operator. Accreditation is important – it means your qualification is portable and recognized.

Once you get your qualified as a heavy equipment operator, and once you have several years experience under your belt, you may want to buy your own piece of heavy equipment and work as a sub contractor. That is quite possible but there are many pitfall to such an undertaking.

The first problem you will face is simply getting the work. There are times when you can submit a tender, however generally speaking you will need to apply directly to building contractors for work. The only way to secure any regular contracts is by building contacts. You will need to get your name out there as a reliable heavy equipment contractor – reliable in getting the job done, reliable heavy equipment and reliable in reporting and getting the paper work done.

The second problem you will need to consider is the lack of income during quite times or when your heavy equipment is ‘off the road’ for maintenance or repair. You need to learn to put aside in the ‘good times’ for the ‘bad times’. You also need to have a contingency plan in place in case your heavy equipment breaks down part way through a job. In these circumstances, you may well lose money (if you have to hire a vehicle), however your reputation is just as important and often worth the loss – you just need to be prepared for these events.

The final problem relates to the admin side of things. Most outdoor workers have little knowledge of bookkeeping and related issues. Can you produce invoices and statements when they are due. Can you manage your finances to cover heavy equipment loan payments, insurance, fuel and maintenance? Can you chase up outstanding payments without upsetting contractors (you may need them for future work)?

These are all issues that need to be considered when establishing your own heavy equipment business. And I have only touched on some of the issues. Other issues such as taxation and licensing also need to be considered. Compare all this to simply working your job and collecting a regular pay check. It is up to you and the rewards can be great when you are your own boss – just be sure to check it all through thoroughly.

Why not look into a heavy equipment school today and start on the road to self employment?