Learning a new skill is a great way to begin a new career, and ATS has a huge choice of courses available that have a proven success record when it comes to delivering real-world results for students. Whether it’s a Crane Operator Course or a Heavy Machinery Course, a Truck Driving course, or something else, they all provide both classroom and on-site instruction to kick-start your new career.

Housing Assistance

However, learning a new skill can be daunting, and there are costs to cover, not least the accommodation to spend the duration of the course away from home while you learn. Because these skills are valuable to the economy, there are a variety of funding assistance options available for covering the cost of courses themselves through government and other programs, but ATS also provides housing assistance that makes sure you have the comfortable place you need to help relax and focus during the course.

We use our local dormitory to provide housing assistance for students, and we reserve a room for you in the dormitory facility to cover the full length of your training course.  With cable TV, air conditioning, a refrigerator, microwave, and wifi in each room, laundry facilities available when you need them, and a great location just 5 miles from ATS itself, you have one less thing to worry about for your training, you know you have a great place to stay!

With restaurants, grocery stores, and everything you need within walking distance, it’s not just a place to stay, but a great base to make the most of your time in Wisconsin and explore this great state in your spare time. Whether you are on a course to start your first career or are looking to retrain from something else, the idea of the course, especially before you arrive, can be a little intimidating, but without an assisted housing plan, we hope to get everyone settled quickly and enjoying learning those new skills that will lead to a new career.

Veterans

For our valued students who have served in the military, as a thank you for your sacrifice for our safety, we offer further accommodation assistance with every course. This takes the form of a housing voucher that covers the complete cost of your stay at the ATS dormitory in a double occupancy room for the entire duration of your course. This applies to all veterans who have been honorably discharged from the military and submit their Form DD214 to the school registrar, and we hope this goes a little way in expressing our gratitude to those veterans.

Our housing assistance is just one way we make the sometimes-daunting prospect of learning new skills a more enjoyable experience for all our students, allowing them to concentrate on learning the skills they need for their new careers.

Since this is Thanksgiving, we here at Associated Training Services would like to take a moment and thank all the hard-working men and women that keep America growing. We are grateful to be training and certifying those individuals that keep America strong. So, take time this holiday to kick off your boots and thank the important people in your life and the ones that make your dreams possible, and enjoy your meal. We wish everyone a safe, peaceful, and happy Thanksgiving!

Associated Training Services and the Diesel Driving School would like to thank all our hard-working and dedicated employees that make us the nation’s greatest heavy equipment operator, mobile crane operator, and CDL school. Without all your hard work, none of this would be possible. Happy Thanksgiving to all employees and their families hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Knowledge: Where Does Thanksgiving Come From?

Thanksgiving is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It originated as a harvest festival. Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789 after Congress requested a proclamation by George Washington. It has been celebrated as a federal holiday every year since 1863, when, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Together with Christmas and the New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader fall/winter holiday season in the U.S.

Thank you, Veterans and Military Personnel

As we move into November with Veterans Day just around the corner, here at ATS we like to take a little time out from our training focus and think about what Veterans Day means to us, and give thanks to all the brave men and women who keep us safe and represent this great nation so well.

Veterans Day is a holiday that honors those who have served in the military because those men and women do not stop being the heroes they are once they leave the forces, they remain our heroes for life. At Associated Training Services, we are extremely proud of every person that serves in the military, and our respect for them is unending.

That is why we are extremely honored to be able to say that as an organization, we have trained over 2000 veterans throughout our existence, and actively promote several programs that support veterans in retraining, including the GI Bill ® among others. We believe this kind of help is invaluable to ensuring our veterans have the best chance at adapting to civilian life possible. That is why we offer qualified veterans a program to cover the cost of their accommodation during any courses they take with us, as a way of saying thanks for their sacrifices on our behalf.

ATS is very proud of our connection to the military, not just with veterans, but we have also been privileged to assist the US Army and the Engineering Corps in training as well. For us, Veterans Day is an important holiday that reminds us of the people who put everything on the line to keep us all safe, a day where the nation shows its respect and gratitude to our heroes. It is important to remember though, they are veterans 365 days a year, not just this day, and they deserve our respect and gratitude all year round.

The construction industry job market today can be daunting, no matter what your skills the competition is fierce, but more than that, whole industries are rapidly changing, and with those changes come new ways of working, and often fewer jobs, and fewer job security. Knowing where to look for a career that offers some stability is no longer easy, as jobs in many traditional industries seem to disappear before our eyes.

Knowing what to do, what skills will help your career, and providing a reliable source of work is more difficult now than perhaps at any time in the modern world, but there is an answer. We at Associated Training Services believe that the construction industry as a whole and in particular heavy equipment operation offers a dependable option for anyone. Not only that, but we think the ever-changing work, the skill required, and the job satisfaction you get make it a great career too.

But being enjoyable, challenging, and varied is not why the construction industry is a brilliant career choice in the modern job market, that is why you would want to do the job. Look at the country, and you will see why construction is such a good choice. While cars can be made anywhere and shipped around the world, along with most other manufactured goods, the reality is that we always need new roads, new factories, and new construction work, and it cannot be exported across the world, it is a job that is done on-site, and always will be.

There are other challenges for many jobs too, automation is an issue facing many industries today, something that could eventually simply remove millions of jobs that people have taken for granted for the last century or more. However, operating heavy equipment is a skill, it takes a little finesse and situational awareness, teamwork, and adaptability. With each job different, each site different, and each team different, the human touch is essential in many aspects of heavy machinery work.

Our training can give you the skills and confidence you need to forge your career in construction today. In an industry that is seeing increased spending every year, essential for the nation’s survival, construction skills will always be needed. Our comprehensive training opportunities prepare you for the challenges ahead, whether you are looking to be a crane operator, truck driver, digger derrick operator, or heavy equipment operator, we have the expertise to help you learn the skills you need.

Any training is an investment in yourself, but in this changing world, making sure that investment is the right one has never been more important. The construction industry today offers the chance at a stable, reliable career, but more than that, it offers challenging but enjoyable work that brings great job satisfaction and the pleasure of working with a team.

It’s probably crossed your mind already, just what is it like to be a crane operator? If there is one job that everyone sees being done that makes us think, it is the crane operator. But what is the job actually like for those that take on the training and go out and do it?

The first task of the day, no matter what kind of crane is being operated, is safety. Whether a mobile crane or a tower crane, giving things a check over is important. For mobile cranes, this means a once-over before setting off to the site, for a tower crane, operators check the crane at each stage as they climb to the cab. Responsibility, as shown by the safety checks, is a big part of being a crane operator, and that is why it can be so appealing. You are responsible for your crane, yourself, and the loads you move.

For mobile cranes, finding today’s site is the next challenge, moving large cranes around is itself a skill, but with each new site is a new work environment, and those ever-changing surroundings mean that life for a crane operator is never routine, never dull.

Operating the crane itself is, of course, the main part of the day, and is an exercise in precision and teamwork. Crane operators take responsibility, but they also need a team to guide them as loads are moved. Hand signals, radios, and even flags are all tools that allow the team to work seamlessly and safely to get the job done. Many people think a crane operator’s day is a lonely one, but the truth is that it takes a team to make it work. Operators may be alone in a cab, but they are never on their own on a site.

It can be long days, sometimes 12 hours on big projects, but that combination of responsibility, skill, and teamwork makes crane operators something unique. It also makes the work day for crane operators unique as well, which is why we see those cranes and wonder what it would be like. If you like the idea of something different every day, working as a team and taking on responsibility for yourself and others, it’s time to think about that crane operator training for yourself.

It is no surprise the growth in construction and telecommunications throughout America has led to an increased need for directional drills to bury fiber optics, electrical lines, water pipes, sewer lines, etc. Further, the use of backhoes or excavators isn’t always practical, feasible, or economical, due to existing hazards or terrain. That leaves Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) as the most efficient option and the fastest-growing type of equipment for utilities, municipalities, contractors, and the communications industry. Associated Training Services has the knowledge, curricula, and instructional staff to deliver your organization the highest quality training for your directional drill operators.

Primary Objective:

Through a combination of classroom and field training sessions, participants will acquire the knowledge and skills required for operating a directional drill efficiently and safely.

Training Subjects:

Standard training subjects are as follows:

• HDD Safety
• General Maintenance of Equipment
• Pre-Planning
• Field Operation
• Tracking Electronics
• Drilling Fluids
• Maintenance
• Locator Equipment / Operations
• Downhole Tools

Some of us don’t think much about it until we start to build a new building near our home or work.  Then, we usually just complain about how the construction affects traffic and slows everything down.

But stop to think about it: what would life be without construction; without heavy equipment? Before heavy equipment, everything was done by hand. Picks and shovels; wheelbarrows; and long hours of hard work.

Heavy Equipment Development

Through the early 1900s, the horse-driven and steam-powered heavy equipment revolutionized the construction industry, increasing productivity and shortening the length of time construction projects took to complete. With the invention of the internal combustion engine, the industry began to change even more.

The Interstate Highway System construction during the 1960s was the boom time for the construction and heavy equipment industries.  This type of work called for high-horsepower equipment and new types of equipment.

The high horsepower scrapers were developed to move the massive amounts of materials produced by the highway system construction.  There were hundreds of scrapers at work on these projects.

The 1960s was also the “monster machine” decade.  Machines grew in size and horsepower; the surface mining industry called for machines that are still the largest, even today, including the 360-ton haul truck, which has grown to a 400-ton haul truck, becoming more productive and efficient, but not much bigger.

The 1970s faced the Arab oil embargo.  This produced an increased need for coal, which increased the demand for heavy equipment.  The demand was so great, that ordering a large machine found a 2 to 3-year waiting list.

In the 1980s, a recession transformed the industry, with a lot of companies failing.  The recession also changed the future of the four major heavy equipment manufacturers: International Harvester,  Euclid, Caterpillar, and Allis Chalmers.

By the 1990s, only Caterpillar remained with its original name.  In the mid-’90s, a wave of environmental laws forced manufacturers to begin making cleaner and more efficient diesel engines.

The most recent recession in 2008 caused the focus to change from ownership to leasing of heavy equipment. Currently, over 40% of all equipment is bought by rental companies.  The pressure on manufacturers continues, to produce more energy-efficient heavy equipment.  Continued development of electrification of major engine components and more energy-efficient alternatives to conventional powertrain systems are the expected future of heavy equipment.

Even with all of the changes, the global heavy equipment market is estimated to be around 192 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. During 2017, it is expected that around 809,000 construction machines will be sold worldwide, with approximately 186,000 delivered to customers in North America.

No matter what you think about construction and heavy equipment: no roads, no buildings, no houses; nothing in our lives could be constructed without heavy equipment and the construction industry, and the people who run the heavy equipment.  Together with the trucking industry, everything in our lives, from our homes to where we shop, depends on the construction, heavy equipment, and trucking industries.

Have you ever considered a career in the construction industry? Becoming a CDL truck driver, heavy equipment operator or mobile crane operator can open up exciting new job opportunities. Here are some companies that have recently hired our graduates:

• Amherst, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Murray, KY hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Houston, TX hiring heavy equipment operators.
• Oconto, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Malone, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Flint, MI hiring mobile crane operators and riggers.
• Greenville, NC hiring mobile crane operators.
• Green Bay, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Neenah, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Houston TX hiring heavy equipment operators.
• La Porte, TX hiring mobile crane operators.
• Thorton, CO hiring mobile crane operators.
• Wautoma, WI hiring heavy equipment operators with Class-A CDL.
• Piqua, OH hiring heavy equipment operators with Class-A CDL.
• Merrimac, WI hiring heavy equipment operators with Class-A CDL.
• Sun Prairie, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Whitewater, WI hiring Class-A CDL truck drivers.
• Wyandanch, NY hiring mobile crane operators.

These are just a few of the job opportunities for truck drivers, mobile crane operators, and heavy equipment operators. Companies in these industries are always looking for new and experienced operators.

If you are thinking about a job in truck driving or becoming a heavy equipment operator, ATS heavy equipment school is a great place to start. We offer instructive classes as well as in-the-seat training for various machinery. You can also find more information about jobs in your area or across the U.S. through the Total Resources Network job board which is accessible to all students and graduates of Associated Training Services and Diesel Driving School. Please contact us for more information and begin your exciting new career as a heavy equipment operator, mobile crane operator, or commercial truck driver today!

There are times when a heavy equipment company must look at the painful reality of needing some specialized training before that company can be competitive. Whether that specialized training is needed for a few of your staff or an entire crew, ATS Specialized Training is designed to help you meet the challenge.

Associated Training Services can design the perfect training program that meets all the various requirements. Legalities, changing industry standards, unique operating environments, and customer requests all can be addressed by our instructors while maintaining the highest standards of quality and integrity.

These classes can be held at the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin location or at remote sites all over the country. Beginner-level or customized training can be provided in these areas and more:

• NCCCO Crane Operator Training, Testing, and Certification.
• NCCCO Rigger-1 & Signalperson Training, Testing, and Certification.
• OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person Training, Testing, and Qualification.
• NCCER Heavy Equipment Training, Testing, and Qualification.
• Class-A CDL Commercial Driver Training, Testing, and Licensing.
• Credentials.

ATS is a nationally accredited, family-owned, private vocational school that has been providing professional training for over five decades. As the industries have changed, we have kept up with the changes. That means we can help you make the changes that keep your company competitive.

Enhance the safety consciousness of your workforce and increase productivity while fulfilling regulatory or insurance requirements by letting ATS provide specialized training. We cover a broad spectrum of subjects relating to the heavy equipment field and more.

Associated Training Services (ATS) invites the general public to help us celebrate the Grand Opening of our new training facility on Friday, July 15, 2016. The event will kick off at 9 a.m. and go through 3 p.m. 94.1 WJJO disc jockey Randy Hawke will broadcast live from the event, so tune up your radio.

The location of the event will be 7132 Elder Lane in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Attendees will have an opportunity to take home some incredible items if they win our silent auction. Auction items include

• 50th Anniversary die cast Case backhoe
• Gander Mountain Gift card
• 3-month membership to Pinnacle Health and Fitness
• 2 – $50.00 gift card to the Coaches Club
• 2 – Wisconsin State Fair Tickets
• Badger State Knockerball Party.
• ITI Rigging Engineering Books/ The Art of Heavy Transport Book
• Die-cast replica of Grove GMK6300 All Terrain Crane
• ATS Leather Jacket
• 1-week NCCCO prep and testing
• Mazzella Companies Swag Pack
• 2 – 18 holes with GPS cart at the Oaks golf course
• 1 Gehl replica machine, 4 Gehl hats, 4 Gehl club seats for Brewers vs Reds
• 4 some at Bridges Golf course in Madison

And there will be other items for auction as well. More details are on the way.

Meet the New ATS Heavy Equipment Training Facility

ATS recently completed construction of its new 16,000-square-foot training facility 10 miles outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The new facility will house all of the long-running heavy equipment training school classrooms, offices, and training resources under one roof. The facility cost $2 million to build and ATS welcomes the public to come out and see it.

“The largest classroom (of the new training facility) is 3,000 square feet and seats 100 plus,” said Dan Swiggum, the business development officer for ATS. “We’ll use it for orientation and also make it available to associations looking for a place to provide specialized training.”

Classrooms at the new facility are sponsored by heavy equipment manufacturers, which include Case Construction Equipment, Terex Cranes, Manitou, JCB, and Mazzella Companies.

ATS will serve free food and beverages between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

If you are interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator, come join ATS as we show off our new training facility and the most respected career training in the country.