If you have trained and worked as a heavy equipment operator then it may be time to consider adding a commercial drivers license (CDL) to your list of skills and qualifications. You would be surprised at how many employers jump at the chance to employ heavy equipment operators that can truck their equipment to the work site.

We live in a period where employers are looking to be competitive when tendering for projects. One of the biggest costs to any business is the cost of labor. For every worker they employ, the actual cost to the business can be as much as double their pay packet. If you are on $40,000 per year, chances are it is actually costing the business $60-80,000 each year by the time you look at training and insurance and the multitude of little costs associated with employment.

If a business can employ someone with more than one skill, particularly where those skills are complementary such as a truck license together with experience as a heavy equipment operator, then that is one less pay packet. If a business can complete a project with ten less employees, that is the equivalent of over half a million bucks. The business can submit a tender for a lower price which will improve it’s chances of winning that tender. The more tenders the business wins, the more employment for you – think about it.

This situation is not restricted to heavy equipment operators. You may already be employed as a truck driver, or at least hold an A class CDL. If that is the case, you can undertake training to become a heavy equipment operator. Once again you have multiple skills that complement each other – a sure fire road to a long and successful career.

I don’t know about you, I just love the open road. I could spend all day just driving – I guess like all things, the more you do it the more mundane it becomes – however I still think that truck driving should have been my first career choice.

Of course, some people hate driving. If you’re like me, then driving for a living would be ideal. Sure, there is a lot of work to do at either end of a long haul. The hours are long and the money only so so and the highways themselves are dangerous and I don’t mean from accidents. Do something wrong the boys in uniform are there ready to take away your license – and your job.

Gaining a license is the first step to working as a truck driver. Truck driver training is not difficult but it does take a high level of concentration and memory. Your CDL includes a written test related to all the road rules. Your practical test is your chance to demonstrate how well you can actually drive your rig.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools have been in the business of training truck drivers for over 40 years. In that time they have built up a database of over 10000 companies who employ graduates from ATS on a regular basis.

If you love the feel of the open road, then truck driving may be the right career for you. Visit ATS for information on truck driver training and CDL requirements. The next truck driver training course could be the start of satisfying career on the open highways.

If you have ever wanted to become a truck driver the now is the best time to enroll for truck driver and CDL training. Our training program is designed to teach you the fundamentals of driving and to prepare you for the Class-A Commercial Driver License (CDL) road test.

Our graduates have found employment in many different types of truck driving jobs including equipment transporting, dump trucks/trailers, sand and gravel, paving, concrete/asphalt, mining, freight haulers, construction materials, tankers to name just a few.

Training includes classroom and ‘hands-on’ training and covers subjects such as Department of Transportation rules, safety and safe operation of equipment, Commercial Driver License regulations, logbooks, and hazardous materials in the classroom whilst the “hands-on” training includes backing and other close quarter maneuvers, pre-trip inspections, coupling and uncoupling and actual Highway and City driving.

If you enroll before close of business on December 31 (and that’s tomorrow), you could receive a nice discount on your training fees. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools is the biggest network of heavy equipment training schools in the country. Call 1.800.678.8120 or visit our heavy equipment training website for more details.

Some ATS schools offer a combination Class-A (Tractor Trailer) and Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) program. The CDL is required to haul your equipment on a flatbed/lowboy trailer and to drive dump trucks on public roads. ATS schools also teach off-road dump trucks, which do not require a CDL.

Many construction industry employers value equipment operators with a CDL. The CDL component trains you to test and receive a Class-A CDL. If you are planning on getting your Class-A CDL, you need to be aware that there are some additional fees related to this part of the program and those are not included in the tuition price. These fees include DOT physical exam, drug test, permit fee, road test, and license fee. These fees vary in price but can total as much s $300. These fees usually can be paid for with your financial assistance if you qualify.

To learn more about the CDL training and tractor trailer school, visit http://www.equipment-school.com/.