Associated Training Services would like to wish all truck drivers, their families, ATS students and their families, and all future truck drivers a Happy New Year. We’re getting started on the right foot. Are you?

We encourage you to check out our training schedule for the coming months and choose a time and place that is right for you.

This coming Monday (January 6, 2014), we will start a new truck driver training course in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Three weeks later, on January 27, 2014, we’ll start another one. You can get a free brochure for our upcoming training classes and be in the know so that you don’t miss any.

Now is the time to set your career goals for the year – and beyond. No matter what kind of equipment you want to train on, ATS can help you get trained and certified.

Our training programs include:

• Commercial truck driving
• Crane operator training
• OSHA-certified rigger/signalperson training
• Heavy equipment training

Whether you want to operate a bulldozer, a forklift, or a backhoe (or all of the above), Associated Training Services can help you get the training and the certification you need to get your first job in heavy equipment. Our job services department assists all graduates with landing their first jobs. Our graduates also go on to have the best careers.

So go ahead. Pick your training and join in.

One of the keys to happiness is being in the right career that you love. Poll enough people and you’ll discover that the people who are the happiest in life have a few things going for them. One of those things is that they are working in a career that is suited for them. Truck drivers are no different.

If you have a desire to be a truck driver, why not start right now? Associated Training Services offers truck driver training, and we have a few classes opening up soon.

Maybe you don’t want to be a truck driver. Perhaps you’d prefer to be a crane operator or a rigger. That’s fine. We have training classes for those occupations too.

The heavy equipment profession is one of the most lucrative non-degreed occupations in the world. It’s a highly specialized field that requires the proper training in safety and behind-the-wheel practical training in order to ensure that the workers let loose on the job site are qualified and certified for the job. Whether you desire to operate bulldozers, forklifts, cranes, dump trucks, or something in between, it all starts with training.

Now that the New Year is here, why not evaluate your career goals? Are you ready for a change? Do you think you’d enjoy the heavy equipment field? Then look into the training necessary to build a successful career as a heavy equipment operator.

Cranes are such important pieces of heavy equipment that they get their own specialized kind of training and certification. National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is responsible for ensuring crane operators are trained and certified and safe in their operating of these machines. Associated Training Services (ATS) models its training on the NCCCO recommendations on different types of cranes.

There are a lot of different types of cranes on the work site. Which type of crane you’ll be working on largely depends on the nature of the work you’ll be performing. The following four types of cranes are some of the most common you’ll encounter.

1. Hydraulic boom crane – A hydraulic boom crane uses levers inside the operator’s cab to move the boom up and down through a hydraulic mechanism.
2. Lattice boom crane – A lattice boom crane uses a long extension that moves up and down but does not slide in and out like a hydraulic boom.
3. Fixed cab crane – A fixed cab crane has a cab that looks like a truck cab. As the name implies, it doesn’t move, which means the operator can only see what’s in front of him or to the side.
4. Swing cab crane – A swing cab crane allows the operator to get a 360-degree view by swiveling the cab in the direction that he wants to work.

These four types of cranes are not mutually exclusive. In other words, you can have a fixed cab hydraulic boom crane or a swing cab hydraulic boom crane. By the same token, you can have a fixed cab lattice boom crane or a swing cab lattice boom crane. And there are variations of these in terms of size, weight, and load capacity.

ATS will train you on each of these types of cranes, preparing you for certification and lifetime career.

If you’ve been thinking about learning how to operate a lattice or mobile crane, then I can’t think of a better time than now. Christmas is coming up and you can start the new year on a good note. There are several good reasons why you might want to get your crane operator training through Associated Training Services (ATS) and get crane certified.

Here are 5 good reasons to choose ATS:

1. In-the-seat mobile crane training – We actually let you get in the operator’s seat. It’s okay to learn how to operate a crane from a book or by sitting in a classroom, but you’ll learn a lot more by actually doing it – under the care of an experienced operator, or course.
2. Fixed-cab instruction – You’ll learn how to operate a fixed-cab mobile hydraulic crane.
3. Swing-cab instruction – Our professional and experienced crane operators will teach you everything you need to know to operate a swing-cab mobile hydraulic crane.
4. Financial and housing assistance – We don’t just invite you to our training facility and make you pay out the ying-yang. We’ll provide you with housing assistance and financial assistance, if you qualify.
5. Career services – ATS also helps you get your first crane operator job. What more could you ask for?

There is no crane operator training school that takes more of an interest in our students’ future success. You can get your national crane certification from ATS and get your career off the ground in a matter of weeks.

When it comes to salaries and highest paid, heavy equipment jobs are a lot like many other career paths. You start at the bottom and work your way up. Still, your career salary will depend on a lot of factors, including

• Location
• Your skill level
• Your employer
• Your training and credentials
• Employment longevity
• Experience
• State of the economy
• Union vs. non-union

These are just some of the factors that can influence your heavy equipment career salary.

If you live in Hawaii, the median salary for heavy equipment operators is $68,120. New York, California, Illinois, and New Jersey aren’t far behind. The median wage in the U.S. is $41,870. Operators trained on the backhoe, crane, bulldozer, and grading equipment can make a little more.

This is why training is so important. If you seek crane operator training, for instance, from a highly respected training school, then you can start off with a better-than-expected salary. Just being trained by one of the best heavy equipment training schools in the U.S. can increase your salary expectations right off the bat. If you stay on the job, and stay with the same employer for a few years, you can expect salary increases.

The heavy equipment industry is one industry that will always need qualified employees. Get the proper training and have the proper employee mindset then you can earn good money.

There are several different types of cranes that a good crane operator should be familiar with. In general, there are two types of boom cranes – lattice boom and telescopic boom.

The boom of the crane is the long arm in the front or back of the vehicle that lifts the load you want to carry.

Lattice Boom

Chances are, you’ve seen lattice boom cranes at work somewhere. They look like a huge machine with a long arm extended in the air. The arm can rotate, move up or down, and move forward or back. They are the most common type of crane on the job site. It makes sense, then, to train on this type of crane since you’ll likely have to use one.

Telescopic Boom

In contrast to lattice booms, telescopic booms are typically hydraulic. They are hinged at the bottom where the arm meets with the body of the crane. The boom is then lifted when the crane operator pulls a switch telling the arm to raise or lower. The hydraulic system, or cables, does all the work.

For a longer and more rewarding career as a crane operator, you’d do well to be trained on both types of cranes. You want your training to be as complete as possible. The more equipment you are capable of using the more in demand you will be on the job.

Learn more about ATS’s crane operator training today.

Many states today now require crane operators to be certified. This should not be seen as a negative or an obstacle. Sure, it might be a little inconvenient, but think of the benefits.

First, crane operators are in high demand. If you are certified to operate a crane, then you’ll be more in demand as an employee and have a leg up in job interviews. Secondly, crane operators make a lot of money. In fact, they are some of the highest paid heavy equipment operators on the work site.

Crane operator certification through ATS includes training on fixed and swing cab mobile hydraulic cranes. The training will prepare you for the NCCCO certification exams, both the written and practical versions. You’ll receive the most rigorous training offered through the industry. In addition, you’ll be trained on special types of cranes, including:

• Rough terrain boom cranes
• Lattice boom cranes
• Articulated and knuckle boom cranes
• Swing cab boom cranes
• Fixed boom trucks
• Fixed cab cranes

ATS also provides OSHA-compliant rigging and signalperson training.

Crane certification training can take place at ATS facilities or on the employer’s job site. Having the training on your job site could be beneficial if you have several crane operators you want to be trained and certified. You can get more details on crane certification training through ATS.

Is money stopping you from changing careers? It is one of the main reasons that people stick out their current careers even though they hate every day they go to work. Money shouldn’t be an obstacle to a new career, and at Associated Training Services, we don’t believe it should stop you from seriously considering a career as a heavy equipment operator.

Training to become a heavy equipment operator is not free. There are training costs involved, and sometimes, ancillary costs such as travel and/or accommodation. We minimize these costs as much as possible, including the cost of local accommodation. By staying close to our training school, you will also save on travel costs.

You will still have an upfront cost that must be paid prior to your training commencing. We have tried to alleviate this problem by providing a financial assistance service. If you qualify for a career loan, for example, your training, and many of those ancillary costs are covered. As an alternative, you may be eligible for funding through various government programs, including those designed to help current and former military personnel and their families.

Money should not stop you from undertaking training to become a heavy equipment operator. If it has in the past, come and talk to us, or fill in our online application for financial assistance. If granted, you will have made that all-important first step to a new and challenging career as a heavy equipment operator. Our financial assistance service is also available to those looking to train to become truck drivers or crane operators.

Employers are often caught in a difficult situation when it comes to having employees who have been trained to a standard required in that particular workplace. Employers can opt to employ trainers themselves, however, this can be a lengthy and expensive process since trainers will need to develop training programs and organize testing processes that result in formally recognized qualifications. The alternative is to engage the services of a training company that trains in specialized equipment training.

The benefits of engaging a training company like Associated Training Services (ATS) are many. ATS already has a wide range of training programs developed. These can often be developed to suit your workplace. If not, our experienced staff can quickly develop a training program suited to your workplace. We have a long history of working with employers to deliver training designed specifically for their work environment and the equipment or work required. We deliver training in areas such as:

• Crane Operator Training, Testing and Certification,

• OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person Training, Testing, and Qualification,

• Heavy Equipment Training, Testing and Qualification, and

• Class-A CDL Commercial Driver Training, Testing and Licensing.

It is important to have instructors who are certified and who utilize the latest training methods. We can deliver training on-site or in our training facilities. Contact us if you require specialized training for your workplace. We have fifty years of successful service to the industry and during that time has built a strong reputation for quality and delivering what the customer needs, not what we think you need. We work closely with industry, national accreditation organizations, and regulatory authorities to ensure our standards exceed those expected within the industry.

One of the frustrations that confront millions of people around the nation is the cost of training to either start a career, or to change careers. Training isn’t free unless you can hook into a government sponsored training program. In some rare situations, employers will sponsor those undertaking training, however, that often comes at a price, for example, agreeing to pay for the training if they don’t employ you, or agreeing to pay for the training if you leave your job before a certain time period has elapsed. So how do you undertake training for a career when money is tight?

There are a number of solutions. Some people are eligible for government funding, especially those who have served in the military. You could save – however, that is difficult these days. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools tries to remove some of the financial hurdles that face many people. We have several financial assistance processes that prospective students can access, all offering the opportunity to train now.

It is also helpful to undertake a cost-benefit analysis. Training to become a heavy equipment operator can be completed in as little as three weeks. This means you could be working in your new career in weeks, not months or years. Heavy equipment operators earn a good income, especially as you gain experience. This increase in income will pay for your training quite quickly making the cost of your training a good investment – certainly higher than the interest rates currently on offer for savings.

Cost should never be a barrier to a new career so we do everything possible to help remove that barrier. If you are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator (or as a crane operator or truck driver), then talk to us. We may be able to help you find solutions that could have you training in next to no time – and with our career service assistance, into a new job.