The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) was designed to get Americans trained and on the job. It’s one of many legislative efforts to give practical help to specific types of workers. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School has gone through the process to be considered a WIA Eligible Training Provider (twenty-two states recognize us) and we work with a number of agencies who provide help to job seekers.

Agencies ATS has worked with and will continue to work with include:

• Government employment offices
• Departments of workforce development
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• Dislocated worker retraining programs
• Trade Readjustment Act (TAA)
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
• State Departments of Veterans Affairs
• Federal Veterans Administration
• Other agencies that help people find employment

We are licensed in seven states as a private vocational school and are an approved training program for veterans, too. If you are working with an agency to get a new start in a career, or seeking a training program for a client, Associated Training Services is a good place to start. We have built up our solid reputation as a training school for professionals over decades of service.

Labor market information can be given to agency counselors: employment outlooks for specific industries, wages and earning potential, job descriptions, working conditions, and whatever else may be needed for you to be able to get the funding you need for the training that will put you in the driver’s seat of a career as a heavy equipment operator.

If you are not sure which programs you qualify for, our Financial Assistance department can help you figure out the possibilities. We have the experience to guide you through the paperwork and on the way to a job.

I was speaking to a young man who recently accquired more training and hired at a company that has three branches of operations. I asked him what he’d be doing, and he told me he’d be working in the construction branch. I asked what he was certified in, and he said something interesting:

“I plan on getting as many certifications as I can because it will increase my usability. I want to be able to switch to other jobs in the company, even into one of the other branches when work is slow. I figure if I am able to receive more training any type of their heavy equipment, they will see me as essential and I won’t get laid off.”

I said that sounded like a good idea, and he modestly admitted it was advice from his brother-in-law. It is sound advice, too, because the more usable an employee is, particular in heavy equipment operating jobs, the easier it is to keep them around because they are able to fill so many positions when needed.

Associated Training Services provides the type of training that young man is interested in, because you learn to operate all kinds of heavy equipment when enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operations Programs. You get a real grounding in the essentials of the industry and a clear understanding of the differences in the types of heavy equipment used today. The skills are carefully taught and you get practice in seat-of-the-pants operating so you are graduating as that “usable” type of employee who is seen as essential.

Accidents happen in every job and being an heavy equipment operator is a big responsibility because the machines are big. The size and weight of all the metal, along with moving parts, changing ground conditions on the site, and people not paying attention all add up to a potential for accidents you don’t find at a desk job. But without the skill of heavy equipment operators, very little would get done in a lot of industries. Here’s a short list of possibilities:

1. People moving through the work area. 
2. Unstable ground conditions causing tipping.
3. Overhead obstructions, like tree limbs or power lines.
4. Operator doesn’t have a sense of where the machine’s parts are, so blades or corners collide with things or people.
5. Poor maintenance causing equipment failure or hazardous conditions like a greasy step.

This list isn’t the only reason accidents happen, it’s just some of the most common reasons that accidents happen around heavy equipment. The operator can reduce the chance for an accident simply by paying attention to the safety procedures that were a part of the training in an accredited school. It’s one thing to have been trained to do the job safely, but if you aren’t going to actually do the job safely, you are asking for trouble.

Employers look for accreditation in the training of heavy equipment operators because it gives them an idea of the quality of the training. Associated Training Services (ATS) is proud to be an Accredited Sponsor through the National Center for Construction Education & Research. We even helped them develop training programs and textbooks. ATS is also licensed by the boards of education in six states and certified for funding assistance programs like the Workforce Investment Act and military benefits.

If you are interested in showing an employer credentials from one of the top heavy equipment training schools in the country, our online application is a good place to start.

Associated Training Services offers housing assistance at the Water Tower Residence Inn as part of the financial help you can get when you come to our heavy equipment and crane operator training programs. We have been in the business long enough to know that it’s a good idea to stay near your classes while you go through the program. Here’s why:

1. You will be learning a lot of new information and it will take some time, possibly even some evening re-reading of the material, to get it firmly in your head. Staying nearby in a comfortable, safe room gives you the downtime you need to process your classes and get ready for the next day.
2. Many of our students come from other parts of the country and will need a place to stay in any case. Even the students who live close by find that it helps to stay at school instead of commuting. Why spend all that money on gas and a random motel room?
3. We have established housing with the Water Tower Residence Inn, just a few miles from the school. It is a short walk to restaurants, stores, and local attractions. The rooms have cable TV, air conditioning, and small refrigerators for your favorite snacks. There’s also access to laundry facilities and a game room/social area where you can connect with fellow students. 

Because we believe available housing will help you get the most out of training, we make housing assistance part of the financial aid we offer. We will reserve a room for you at the Water Tower Residence Inn for the length of your training. Ask about it when you call us and get ready for a solid future career in heavy equipment and crane operation.

Heavy equipment is a good field to get into; the operation of heavy equipment is essential for laying the foundation of everything that is built on top of it. Without a good foundation, it really doesn’t matter how well a bridge or building is constructed because the shifting base will counteract that construction. Your career should be like that well-built bridge, built on a good foundation. For heavy equipment operation, training is the base of everything.

Build your career on the best foundation in the business, one that has a history you can research and results you can see. Associated Training Services (ATS) has that history and those results. Since 1959, we’ve been family-owned and operated with the motto of Quality, Integrity, & Pride – and that motto is taken seriously. It shows in the results, too — our graduates have been successful operators throughout the years. We have one customer base, our students, and that is who we focus on.

As the industry has changed, the type of operator needed for running the equipment has changed, and so has the training. We’ve kept up with the changes in our curriculum and equipment so our graduates continue to start their careers from the solid foundation they need. Green construction jobs require a workforce trained in new equipment, new initiatives, and new practices. With ATS, we’ve got that covered.

But the foundation is laid with more than hands-on training and knowledge standards. We provide career assistance. Our Career Services Department gives personal career counseling, soft skills training like resume and interview skills, and job leads with an exclusive website our graduates can always come back to.

The ATS foundation is solid – one your heavy equipment career can be built on to last a lifetime.

Associated Training Services has some of the best students in the world. They are not only committed to the training they signed up for, but they are committed to being great heavy equipment operators. We have thousands of students all across the country who have graduated from one of our training classes and moved on to great careers in the industry of their choice.

Check out some of our testimonials and you will see how awesome our students really are.

See what Daniel from Ohio has to say:

I spent about 15 years at a scrap yard. I moved into management but didn’t like it. I wanted to get into heavy equipment and excavation and knew I needed more training thats when i found ATS in Ohio. I graduated in Aigust 2004 and got a job as an operator right away and the Training was a huge help. The classroom work was what i really needed because i had some equipment experience. The school was great and was just what I needed to start a great new career.

Dan –

Or how about this report from a former student who spent time in Iraq:

I was hired on as a crane operator for KBR. This photo was taken in Balad, Iraq. I was operating a 65 ton LinkBelt. I was picking up military vehicles, generators, Howitzers guns, containers and a lot of walls. I like the adventure except for the 140-degree heat.

Alex –

Here’s one from a former student named Nate:

Nate graduated from ATS December of 2009. Went to work for Iron Mountain Trap Rock Company later that spring. He Ran a 210M rigid frame haul truck and a Caterpillar 992 loader and works in an open pit mine.

Nate –

Not only are our students happy graduates, but they’re also successful heavy equipment operators. You can be too.

Bulldozers would have to be one of the slowest moving pieces of heavy equipment in operation. If you’re looking for a speed machine, then bulldozers are definitely not for you. In most cases, you could outwalk a bulldozer, I doubt you’d raise a sweat trying to evade one. What they lack in speed they more than make up for in power, so whilst you could say that bulldozers are the slowest, it’s also true to say they are the strongest.

What slows a bulldozer down considerably is the fact they run on tracks rather than wheels. Those tracks may be slow moving, however, they can operate in all weather conditions and on very rough terrain. Where wheeled vehicles are prone to becoming bogged, bulldozers breeze through it all with barely a pause. This makes the slow moving bulldozer ideal for a wide range of applications in a wide range of industries.

Some of the areas you could work in as a bulldozer operator include mining, construction, demolition, agriculture and the military. In fact, the tracks used to operate bulldozers are the same as those used to operate tanks. Whilst bulldozers are famed for their large blades that push dirt, they can also have attachments added to the rear that can be used for a variety of jobs. The ripper is the most common, used to rip up hard surfaces like concrete, large rocks and tree stumps.

If you are looking for an interesting and well-paid career in heavy equipment operations, consider what a bulldozer has to offer. You can train to become a bulldozer operator in as little as three weeks, and considering the opportunities and wage rates available, that training should prove to be a good investment.  The training offered through Associated Training Services is undertaken using modern machiney in simulated work environments – the perfect solution for anyone looking for a career or career change.

There are a lot of people who see heavy equipment in use and either wonder what it would be like to operate one themselves or wish they had opted for a career as an operator. For many, the desire to learn to be a heavy equipment operator is still there, however, something holds them back. One of the biggest hurdles is simple fear – in a way, it’s a fear of the unknown, and that just happens to be one of mankind’s biggest fears.

A number of negatives always appear – can you relate to any of these?

• Can I afford the cost of training?
• Is there work available once I finish my training?
• Will I be any good as a heavy equipment operator?
• Will my family support me?

I am sure there are many other questions, however, those four cover the most common, and they all have basis in that unknown. You can quickly dismiss the last negative – just talk to your family. If you want to change careers, and heavy equipment is one of your options, then discuss this with your family. Discuss the initial upfront costs, however, don’t forget to mention how lucrative a career it is.

Can you afford the cost of training? You don’t need to pay for all of your training up front. There are loan options available, and once you start working as a heavy equipment operator, you’ll soon have those loans cleared. There are also several government programs available to help cover some of the costs – you may be eligible for one of those, particularly if you are an ex-military service person.

When it comes to employment, ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools work with their students to help them find that all-important first job. We don’t just deliver training, we have a dedicated career services department and their whole reason for being is to help you find employment in your chosen field.

Finally, will you be any good at it? You won’t know until you try it out. If you have any doubts about your ability, call us and discuss your options. Who knows, you may be able to visit our training school, talk to the instructors and students, and perhaps even get to sit in the seat of one of our machines. It’ll certainly give you a feel for the job. We can’t answer every question, however, we’ll do our best.

Associated Training Services is a training facility for those looking to enter the trucking or heavy equipment industries. We offer thorough training and preparation which results in successful workers. We are asked several questions regularly. If you have a question that you cannot find the answer for, please feel free to contact us and ask!

How old do prospective students need to be in order to enroll?
– Eighteen years and older is the strict age requirement for ATS. It does not matter if you are 24 or 40 as long as you pass the Dept. of Transportation physical that will be performed. There are other enrollment requirements that out enrollment office can provide you with.

What is the cost of tuition for your programs?
– Each and every program we offer has a different tuition amount. We have admissions specialists waiting for your call that can be reached in their offices at (800) 383-7364. There are also financial aid options available that you can inquire about.

What type of educational requirements do I need to meet to enroll?
– None. High school diplomas and/ GED’s are not a requirement to attend the training programs offered at ATS. You can find out all requirements by calling our enrollment office.

If you or someone you know are interested in training to be an operator or truck driver, contact Associated Training Services today. You can be on the brink of a successful future in no time at all!

If you have considered making heavy equipment your new career interest, decide on it today! Associated Training Services is a training program that can help you get started in the industry sooner rather than later. There is a lot of information to gather and ATS has A LOT to offer you. There are features and benefits of this program that others simply do not have.

If you visit the ATS website, you will be able to access information all about the programs we have available. You wil see that we offer programs in heavy equipment, crane operation, truck driving, and programs to become a signal person. There is a link for each of these programs where you can read more details about each of them.

Also on the website, you will find a link to an online application. You can simply fill out this form, submit it and wait for a call to confirm your enrollment. If you would rather get more information first, you can click to receive more information in a FREE BROCHURE available to you.

There is plenty more information on the site as well. You can read all about our training facility including our history and our goals. Next, you can see that we have career services available to assist students in landing a job upon completing their course. It is our goal to see students succeed and our career services help that to happen. You can also read answers to some FAQs as well as information on housing during schooling.

There is a lot of information about ATS listed on the webiste including the contact information for the school. If you have unanswered questions or a concern, please feel free to contact us. ATS is a great training school that produces great workers. Apply today!