If I had a crystal ball that could see into the future there is one thing I know I will see – tougher heavy equipment safety requirements. In fact, I can see a day when all operators will require certification of some type. We have it in the form of licenses for truck drivers for decades; from July, it seems that all crane operators will need certification with the NCCCO one of the preferred certification bodies; and with recent workplace accidents, including the mine explosion this week, it will only get tougher for general heavy equipment operators.

You may look at the Montcoal mine explosion and wonder why that will impact on heavy equipment safety. It won’t directly – but it will impact on all workplaces over time. Workplace safety is becoming a fairly large issue so whenever there is a major incident, all workplace practices come under scrutiny. If there is a workplace incident that involves heavy equipment in the near future, it too will suddenly come under the microscope.

Workplace safety is important and for heavy equipment this has been recognized by including safety training in all accredited training programs. In fact, a heavy equipment training program cannot now become accredited unless there are safety training components included. The subject is not one we take lightly at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools. Our heavy equipment training programs are all accredited to national standards.

If you are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator then do make sure your training includes workplace safety components. If in doubt, contact us here at ATS, we will happily supply you with information related to our accredited training programs and the heavy equipment safety standards included in that training.

Cranes are not all made the same with some requiring more skills than others. The lattice boom crane is one crane that requires extended crane operator training to achieve a proficiency ready for the workplace. Training for the lattice boom crane is a recent addition to the ATS training calendar and is only available through our training centers in Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Texas and California.

Standard crane operator training through ATS Crane Operator Schools is a three week nationally accredited program. Upon completion, graduates can be assessed against the national competencies for crane operators and, if successful, certified as crane operators. This certification is a national qualification, which means holders are eligible for employment in all states, particularly those where certification of crane operators is mandatory.

Lattice boom crane operator training is a two week extension to the standard crane operator training. This training is conducted every three months and upon completion, graduates can be assessed and certified as qualified lattice boom crane operators. Lattice boom crane operators are well paid compared to many other areas of the work place including mobile crane operators.

If a career as a crane operator appeals to you, why not contact ATS Crane Operator Schools to discuss your training and employment opportunities. Crane operators are always in high demand with skilled operators rarely out of work. Once you have graduated and been certified, our career service can help you identify suitable employers in your region where employment opportunities may exist. The demand is there for crane operators – are you capable of filling that demand? Call us to find out.

Crane operator training is very different today than what it was twenty or thirty years ago. Today, the requirement in many states is not just training, but certification that you have met the minimum standards when it comes to knowledge and skills. There are other states where this requirement is not currently in place, however, training to work in those states and not receiving certification is a big mistake.

To begin with, any crane operator training that you undertake should be done to national standards. Training bodies that are accredited by organizations such as the NCCCO train to standards that industry itself has identified as being the minimum. If you think about this it is only logical to take the next step. Certification provides proof that you now meet those minimum standards. If you’re trained to a national level, why not become certified to prove it?

What are those minimum standards? In simple terms, it is an assessment of operational skills, safety knowledge and non-operational skills such as basic maintenance and fault identification. The reality is, you can learn these skills and gain this knowledge in as little as three weeks.

ATS Crane Operator Schools are not only accredited to deliver nationally recognized crane operator training, they are also accredited to undertake assessments under the national certification system. You can receive your crane operator training, undertake the assessments, and become a certified crane operator, all under the one roof. Crane operator training and certification go hand-in-hand so it makes sense to complete it all at the same time.

Some people ask why crane operator certification is worth the effort. Operating a crane is one of the most demanding jobs on a construction site with some cranes able to lift loads of 300 tons. Can you imagine having a 300 ton load slipping from the crane’s grasp? There would be two effects (probably more). The first, of course, is the 300-ton load hitting the ground – it would be a like a mini-earthquake for blocks. The second effect could be just as catastrophic. With the load suddenly released, the crane’s hook would suddenly spring back in the reverse direction – this could actually topple the crane itself.

That may give you some indication as to why crane operator certification is worth the effort. If you need any more convincing, you may consider that in many states, certification is a requirement before you can step into a crane’s cab. Safety isn’t the only reason for obtaining certification. From one perspective, whilst crane safety is very important, having a qualification that is recognized throughout the country has to be an important consideration.

In the past, a crane operator who was qualified to operate in one state may not have been considered qualified in a neighboring state. Too bad if you lived close to the state lines and could work on either side. With a qualification that is universal around the country, not only are you ready to work anywhere, your certification is valid anywhere.

Having a portable qualification is one of the best weapons you can have in your skills toolbox. It means that even in hard times, you are able to find employment somewhere. If you are undertaking crane operator training, don’t forget to sit for your crane operator certification at the conclusion of your training. If your training provider doesn’t offer it – then change provider. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are accredited to deliver crane operator training to deliver crane operator certification testing at the conclusion of your training. Everything under the one roof – what more could you ask for?

Crane operator training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools covers both fixed cab and swing cab mobile hydraulic cranes. Crane operator training is conducted over three levels with each level building on the previous. Training is designed to prepare graduates for both the written and practical exams for certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

As you can imagine, training for certification is fairly intense. However, the information is presented in an easy to understand format, which makes learning both enjoyable and uncomplicated. Training involves both classroom based activities and hands on in the operator seat training. Some of the material covered in training includes:

Level 1:
Basic Principles of Cranes
Crane Safety
Operating A Crane

Level 2:
Machine Power Flow
Preventive Maintenance
Computer Aids/Operator Aids

Level 3:
Advanced Operational Techniques
Emergency Procedure
Transporting Requirements

You can get a full module list with short description by visiting our crane operator training pages.

Crane operators are amongst the highest paid heavy equipment operators in the country and there is always a demand for operators. By enrolling in our crane operator training course you will also be entitled to access our job placement program. This program assists graduates in finding suitable employment once they have completed their training. You may also be entitled to financial assistance – this will depend on your circumstances at the time of enrolling.

Our crane operator training program is recognized nationally as is the certification process at the conclusion of your training. National recognition is important because it means your qualification as a crane operator will be recognized in all states. If a career as a crane operator sounds right for you – contact us for the dates of our next training program.

Becoming a certified crane operator is not that difficult. Becoming an employed certified crane operator is a little bit more difficult. What you can do of course is ensure your training and certification is done through an accredited training provider. Whilst not guaranteeing you a job, it will certainly enhance your ability to win a job. Let’s look at the three components separately.

Crane Operator Training

Receiving your crane operator training through an accredited training provider means you are receiving training that has been approved at a national level. This means your training credentials will be respected across the nation, relieving you of the need to pass a test or do more training in each state.

Accredited training is delivered to a standard set of skills. Every person that undertakes accredited training should in theory have the same set of operating skills no matter where they undertook their training.

Crane Operator Certification

Like the training, crane operator certification has to be undertaken through an accredited provider. These are providers who have been approved to deliver assessments and issue certificates to those that pass. Like the accredited training, the assumption is that everyone who has been certified is able to demonstrate the same skills and knowledge no matter where they undertook their training.

There are many states now where all crane operators must be certified before they can be employed to operate a crane. It doesn’t matter where that certification was done so long as it was done through an accredited provider.

Crane Operator Employment

Once you have completed your training and passed all the requirements for certification, you are ready to seek employment. More importantly, you will have all the requirements for an employer to hire you.

Some accredited training providers also provide job placement services. These services are designed to try and match your skills and attributes to the right employers.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are accredited to deliver crane operator training. They are also accredited to undertake crane operator assessments and to issue crane operator certifications. Finally, to complete the picture, they also provide a job placement service. That’s everything you need to become an employed certified crane operator. If that’s your career plan, what are you waiting for?

Becoming a crane operator is not as difficult as most people would imagine. The general impression is that crane operator training takes many months to complete and that it is a very difficult area to get a foothold in once training has been completed. This is not at all true, particularly when it comes to mobile crane operators.

You can complete a crane operator training program in as little as three weeks. This will depend on the training provider you select and the design of the training program. If you stop and think about it for a moment, operating a crane is not really all that difficult. The number of moves possible by a crane is actually fairly limited so there are not a million and one buttons, levers and pedals to remember.

The area of training that is probably most difficult are the safety aspect. This is where crane operator training is highly important. As I mentioned, the actual operation of a crane is very straightforward. Knowing the safety limits of your crane is not so straightforward since circumstances are always changing. Even wind has a major bearing on the safety of a crane.

So how do you become a crane operator? Your first step is to find a crane operator training provider who is accredited to deliver nationally recognized training. They should also be in a position to assess you and provide crane operator certification at the completion of your training. Whilst not compulsory in all states, it is in many of them. Being certified is also a selling point to becoming employed within the industry.

As far as getting your foot in the door once your training has been completed? A good training provider will also have a job placement program in place to help you gain that first job. In fact, when you look at all the facts, becoming a crane operator is not that difficult and doesn’t take months of study. If this is a career for you – what are you waiting for?

Crane operators are highly skilled professionals requiring specialized training and certification. As a reward, crane operators generally better wages than other heavy equipment operators.

The role of a crane operator is often quite challenging. There are a lot of factors to take into account every time a crane is positioned. There are also a of different variable that need consideration before and during each lift. In fact, no two lifts are the same, even if your working on a site doing the same lift fifty times a day.

Crane safety is the biggest issue and requires constant thought and attention. The certification process is based on a need for better safety considerations on work sites. In the past, there have been too many work related incidents that have led to death or injury. Crane operator training is now regulated with prospective crane operators having to pass written and practical tests to gain certification.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are qualified to deliver crane operator training in both fixed cab and swing cab mobile hydraulic cranes. We are also authorized to undertake assessments (both written and practical). Graduates of this program will receive a National Certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

If you’re ready for a change in careers and the challenge of working as a crane operator appeals to you, then visit our web site to check out your training and certification options. Being one of the best paid jobs on any construction site is a plus; having a career that is interesting and always changing is an even better plus; as crane operator, your get both.

Today’s workplace legislation insists on crane operators being certified before they can commence work operating a crane. There are many reasons for this, the prime one being safety – safety of the operator, safety of the people around the crane and safety of the property are all important areas. In recent years there have been too many injuries to people and property, often due to simple carelessness or a lack of operator safety knowledge. Effective training and certification will hopefully reduce the number of incidents.

In theory, to become a certified crane operator is a simple as passing a written and practical exam through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Of course, in practice you would have little chance of passing either the practical or the written without first undergoing a training program that addresses all the areas within crane operators competency requirements.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools we have a dedicated crane training division. The training offered is accredited and designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to pass the NCCCO written and practical exams. The training program is an intensive three week course from Monday to Friday that is broken into a convenient three level structure.

Once you have completed the training you will be ready to undertake the certification exam. On completion of the exam, and passing, you will be ready to confidently tackle the workplace as a qualified and certified crane operator. If your interested in crane operations as a career, request a free information packet containing a DVD, curriculum information, job placement assistance, class calendars, pricing and Enrollment/Financial Assistance Applications. There is no obligation so you have nothing to lose by viewing the information pack.