A sad fact in today’s employment market is that employers are always looking for ways to cut costs. That can work to your advantage if you are prepared to take a few extra steps. Combining several related skills can make an individual a far more attractive employment option compared to someone with only the one skill. If you were to combine heavy equipment operations with a commercial drivers license, you are in effect opening options up for your employer.

An example of this a small business that only has a handful of equipment. They may have been asked to perform a task that will only take an hour or two to complete. Rather than sending out the heavy equipment with an operator and a truck with a driver, an operator with a CDL can take the equipment out, complete the job, and bring the equipment back (or on to the next job), thus saving the employer from paying for two people for the one job.

We live in an era where companies are forever competing with each other for work. This is often done via quotation or tendering process. If an employer knows he can reduce employee costs, then they can submit a lower tender or quote, and increase their chances of securing the work. The more work they can acquire, the bigger they will grow, and the more machinery and operators they will require.

ATS conducts both heavy equipment training programs and truck driver training programs. It is quite easy to complete one training program and to then move on to the second so that, within six weeks or so, you will have graduated from both training programs with skill sets that will make you far more employable. Provide employers with that complete package, and you will be surprised at how much easier it is to build a sustainable career.

In today’s busy world, undertaking training for a particular career is often not enough. Understandably, the first thing graduates from any training program want is employment – somewhere to prove their newfound skills, and somewhere where they can build upon those skills. There are many training providers that deliver training, some quite well, but then leave their graduates to fend for themselves once they have completed their training. Here at ATS we have a different philosophy. We are proud of our training so we are keen to showcase our graduates to the world – we want you working, and it’s a purely selfish motive – your success is our success.

Once you enter the workplace, you are a walking talking advertisement for our training. If you perform well, and we are sure you will, then our reputation will continue to grow, if that’s possible. After more than 40 years of successful service training truck drivers, heavy equipment operators and crane operators, our reputation is already well respected. But then, that too is to your advantage.

Employers have come to respect the level of training we provide, as an example, we have over 10,000 trucking companies in our database – I am sure we could find one ready to employ you if you choose a career as a truck driver. Our career services section is geared to doing as much as possible to helping you find a job. From week one, someone from career services will discuss with you possible employment options. We build a profile based on your needs and expectations and then provide you with a list of potential employers. We will also train you in some of the soft skills such as interview techniques required to find employment.

At ATS, we don’t believe in just training you and then sending you on your way. We have a dedicated career services section that will work with you to find that first job. From there, your career is in your hands.

Mobile crane operator training is a must if you expect to develop a career as a crane operator. It is now compulsory in almost all states to be certified as a crane operator before you can even touch a crane, let alone operate one. To gain certification, you need quality training that is designed with both the workplace and certification process in mind. This is where ATS leads the way. We are recognized as being one of the leading providers of crane operator training in the country.

Working as a crane operator is not just about pushing a pulling levers to raise, lower or move a boom. Safety requirements are essential and this includes setting up the crane prior to use, day-to-day maintenance, traveling with a crane (especially mobile cranes), and of course the safe use of a crane. Other areas of importance include environmental factors like understanding how weather, particularly wind, can affect the operations of a crane.

If you intend on entering the workplace as a crane operator then you need to ensure your training meets industry requirements. The workplace has expectations of operators, particularly new operators that have been certified. Undertaking your training through a provider that is trusted by industry also helps when trying to find employment opportunities. If your training has been provided by ATS then employers know that you have been well trained, and that your certification has been well earned.

The workplace is competitive and while crane operators may be in demand right now, employers are still going to be selective. You can give yourself a real competitive advantage by looking for training providers that deliver the very best in training outcomes. ATS prides itself on being one of those training providers – reason enough alone to select us for your training.

One of the benefits of undergoing heavy equipment training for machinery like backhoes is that it doesn’t discriminate on age, gender or ethnicity. What determines a good operator is skill. Of course, like all jobs, there are other attributes such as commitment, punctuality and reliability that are important. But skill is the most important attribute of them all.

When it comes to age, there are few barriers. In the workplace, the minimum age is 18 to work as a heavy equipment operator and here at ATS, our minimum age to enroll in a heavy equipment training program is 18. Maximum age? So long as you can pass a medical test, have good eyesight and hearing and can operate all the pedals and levers – there is no upper limit. Employers may balk a little at employing a ninety year old, but then again, if the operator is healthy and good at his job then age shouldn’t factor into the equation.

Backhoes are a popular starting point for many new operators. They can be tricky to begin with but it doesn’t take long to become proficient. The real tricky situations arise when it comes time to use one of the many attachments that can be fitted. Over the years we have also seen many women entering the field as heavy equipment operators. Bulldozers, backhoes and excavators are always popular equipment to gain a start in.

If you have recently left school, or perhaps in mid life and just been made redundant, you could consider a career as a heavy equipment operator. The pay is reasonably good, the conditions are good and, at present, jobs are available. Whether it is backhoes, bulldozers or any other unit of heavy equipment, age is not a barrier to most people – and that most likely includes you!

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are all accredited by the National Center for Construction Education Research otherwise known as the NCCER. In today’s world, there are several areas in training that both students and employers need. These include standardization of training and portability and the two go hand in hand.

Standardization is fairly straightforward. The skills you learn training to operate heavy equipment in Florida should be the same set of skills you would learn if you were training in Texas, New England or any other state. Obviously, if everyone is trained to the same set of standards, it doesn’t matter where you did your training, your skills would still be recognized – that’s portability. You can work in any state and your training and skills are recognized.

Many years ago, if you were trained in one state the chances were those skills were not recognized in the next state, even though the border was only a mile away. To work in both states, you had to undertake training in both states. A little ridiculous really so industry has established minimum standards that all graduating students should achieve.

Because we are accredited through NCCER, our students can be Nationally Certified by NCCER and receive certifications and credentials from NCCER. Details of their accomplishment is recorded on a national registry. This reinforces the portability aspect of nationally accredited training.

ATS has been accredited for many years. In fact, we are one of the leaders when it comes to accredited heavy equipment training. We have a proud tradition of producing quality graduates, graduates that employers are often keen to hire. If you’re considering a career in heavy equipment, first ensure your training provider as national accreditation for their training programs. If you have any doubts, call us, we have training centers in over ten locations around the country. What does national heavy equipment certification really mean? Peace of mind for students, graduates and employers and the knowledge that training has been delivered to very specific standards.

Our heavy equipment training schools strive to deliver training that is both industry relevant and at the same time compliant with national standards. To achieve this we designed our training programs inline with those established by the various national bodies. This enables us to seek accreditation for the delivery of this training. As a student at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools, you know the training is industry approved and relevant to the work place. But how do you know?

The internet has brought a valuable resource to online shoppers in the form of product reviews. Recent research is showing that many online shoppers are first referring to product reviews before making a purchasing decision. I assume you are reading this post because you have some interest in the field of heavy equipment as a possible career choice. Our training is a product and many of our graduates have, over time, contacted us to leave very positive feedback about their time with us. Take Jim from Minnesota as an example. He writes in part:

…..My employment started one month after graduation and would have never been considered without the certification I received from ATS. The knowledge I received from their down-to-earth instructors has proven to be invaluable. Attending ATS has been the single most important event of my life….

In fact, we have interviewed many of our former students to gain some form of feedback related to our training programs. You can view these videos on our student feedback pages. Do we get negative feedback? After more than 25 years providing training to heavy equipment operators and truck drivers, of course we do – but it’s very rare and when we do we look closely at the issue to see what changes need to be made.

If you are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator, check on what sort of feedback is being left by former students – if any. Heavy equipment training schools are there to provide training for those seeking employment as heavy equipment operators – be sure your training organization is providing training that employers are looking for. Otherwise, you could be wasting your time and money. See what our former students have to say before making any firm decisions.

When most people talk about heavy equipment careers the mind conjures up images of a bulldozer, grader or perhaps an excavator. They are no doubt the big three when it comes to heavy equipment, but there is a range of other equipment that also provides for interesting and well paid careers. This equipment includes:

• backhoes,
• wheel loaders,
• scrapers,
• rock trucks,
• Skid Steers, and
• All-Terrain Forklifts.

And that is just a short list. We talk a lot about backhoes and occasionally about wheel loaders but Skid Steers, All-Terrain Forklifts, scrapers and rock trucks rarely get a mention. These machines provide valuable service in their niche and without them, we would have to resort to using hand tools of some description. Take the all-terrain forklift. This vehicle is similar to a standard forklift but it can safely transport loads over different terrains. Without it, we would be forced to break loads down to much smaller sizes to move them over the rough terrain.

Scrapers of course do just that. They scrape the surface in preparation for other equipment. Rock trucks help to remove large rocks from construction sites whilst the little skid steer is able to get into tight areas to work where no other vehicle can fit. This machines all offer interesting careers. The skid steer maybe a small machine in comparison to a bulldozer, but it is still a valuable part of the heavy machinery family.

One of the benefits of training through ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools is that students are introduced to a range of machinery. This provides each student with a broad set of skills and a better insight into how each piece of equipment fits into a construction team. Heavy equipment careers don’t sit solely with the big three – there are many other options available for you to look at.

Think of a wheel loader and you probably think of the loaders you see running around a construction site loading rubble onto dump trucks. They do a great job too but did you know they were the teens of the family? The bobcat is probably the baby of the family and just like a baby that has learned to crawl, they zip all around the place – always under your feet.

If the bobcat is the baby of the family, you should see the grandpappy of the family. Compact loaders weigh in at around 10,000 pounds and draw around 50 horse power. The grandpappy’s weigh as much as 430,000 pounds and draw as much as 1500 horse power. That is one big machine – do the maths. That’s 43 times larger and 30 times more powerful.

Wheel loaders of that size of course are used in specialist roles such as mining and, yes, helping to move mountains – large hills anyway. One scoop load would fill a standard dump truck with plenty to spill over. Imagine the size of the wheels!

While these machines are giants in their class, the skills needed to operate them are not much greater than those required to operate a standard loader. Experience is the key to operating a machine of this size and that experience starts with a wheel loader training program that prepares you for the workplace.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools may not get you into the cab of one of these monsters straight away. They will, however, provide the training that can get you into the cab of a standard wheel loader where you can start to build the experience required. Discover more about our wheel loader training programs and the opportunities that await.

There is a growing shortage of certified crane operators throughout the country with many employers finding it difficult to find workers who have undergone crane operator training and certification. In many states, crane operators can not be employed unless they have that certification. It can be frustrating for employers and for crane operators.

Crane operators of course can seek certification – that is not a difficult process. For those seeking a career change, the opportunities are there. Undertake crane operator training from a reputable training organization and your certification assessments should be included. This means you can undertake the training and have employers waiting to snap you up.

It is surprising to hear there is a shortage of certified operators when you consider the employment prospects. Crane operators are amongst the highest paid heavy equipment operators. They work in an environment that is interesting and often challenging. Certified crane operators are classified as professionally skilled with the certification being recognition of the skills and knowledge of the operator.

Certification covers areas that go beyond just operating a crane. Important areas such as general workplace safety, lifting safety and knowledge of the crane itself. The certification process is recognized throughout the country which means those that secure their certificates are able to find employment anywhere in the country.

ATS provide both crane operator training and certification. The latter is done through the National Commission For The Certification of Crane Operator (NCCCO), an organization established to set and monitor certification processes for crane operators. If you decide to undertake your crane operator training and certification through ATS you know you will be receiving training from one of the most respected training organizations in the country – that makes your qualification all the more important.

Job placement is one of the hardest components to starting a new career. In fact, it is often the main reason why many decide against embarking on a new career. The biggest fear that human’s possess is the fear of the unknown. When it comes to employment, no employment means no income and that can have a huge impact on our lives.

There is little doubt now that employment in the heavy equipment field is rising. Over the last five years there has been a high attrition rate, mainly affected by those reaching retirement age although many are lost to other careers. This high attrition rate together with the boom in construction is starting to lead to a shortage in qualified operators – and that is where we can help.

ATS has developed a reputation for producing very capable operators through our heavy equipment training schools. This reputation has led to employers approaching us at times looking to recruit new operators, often before they have completed their training. ATS has also established a strong relationship with a network of employers. You have access to this network of employers when you start your heavy equipment training program.

Job placement is an important issue and ATS recognizes the impact that being jobless can have on your life. More importantly, we have discovered that the sooner a graduate can put their skills to work, the more effective their training is as the skills learned are reinforced.

If you are considering a career change and a career as a heavy equipment operator is high on your list, don’t let job placement be the deciding factor. We can help you find those vacancies, you need to concentrate on developing the skills to be effective in that job – after all, your success is our success.