Heavy equipment safety has become an important issue and many states now insist on operators having some form of safety training. Employers themselves are now starting to see the worth of safety training. Consider the two sides of the issue. Accidents mean stoppages, injuries, inquiries, possibly fines, and the job finishing behind schedule. No accidents means – well, the opposite. No injuries, no inquires, no stoppages, a happier workplace and jobs finishing ahead of schedule.

Southern Industrial Constructors are a classic example. They have just celebrated a full year with zero accidents in the workplace. You may think “so what?.” However, consider this: they employ 750 employees at sites spread around the country. This means safety is a prime concern, not in one place, but in multiple places. As one of the nation’s biggest employers of construction workers and heavy equipment operators, this is a record to be proud of.

How have they managed to achieve this record? Safety training, including ongoing training on a regular basis, has formed an important part of their safety platform. Workers are rewarded for working within safety guidelines. More importantly, using crane operators as an example:

(…source)The company advocates nationally for industry safety standards requiring its crane operators to be certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools along with ATS Crane Operator Schools have long promoted safety in the workplace. All nationally accredited training includes safety components as laid down by the relevant national bodies for each equipment type. For our crane operators, we offer training that has been accredited and graduates can be assessed at our training centers for accreditation by the NCCCO. Heavy equipment safety training is helping to reduce workplace accidents – just ask Southern Industrial Constructors.

Working as a crane operator has become a little more controlled over the last ten years as more states and more businesses insist on operators obtaining certification before being employed. The various states became involved because of the frequency of accidents. Certification was introduced as an attempt have all operators trained to an industry agreed set of core skills – these skills, of course, included safety issues. How do you obtain a crane operator certification? These five steps show you the way:

1. Seek out a training company that has NCCCO accreditation to deliver crane operator training
2. It is also advisable to obtain your training through a company that is accredited by the NCCCO to undertake crane operator assessments and is authorized to issue certification
3. Complete your training
4. Undertake and pass the certification assessments (theory and practical)
5. Issued with crane operator certification

And, yes, it is as straight forward as that. The hard part, of course, is finding a training organization that is accredited to deliver the training and who is also accredited to undertake assessments for certification. Find that combination and the rest is up to your own ability to learn and pass the assessment.

You are in luck. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are accredited to deliver both the training and the assessments for crane operator certification. Now that you don’t have to look any further, the next question is how much would you like to work as a crane operator? At ATS you can have your training completed in as little as three weeks. This means you can literally be working as a crane operator within a month of starting your training. There are no guarantees, of course. You have to pass the assessments – no one else can do that for you. Complete those steps, and a great career as a crane operator awaits – and you will have the benefit of a crane operator certification behind you.

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?

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?

Crane’s are potentially one of the most dangerous machines on a building site so many states have introduced crane operator certification. By certifying operators, the theory is that crane-related accidents will fall, thus reducing workplace injuries and deaths. That, in a nutshell, is why you need crane operator training.

That was the short version. The long version is a little more involved. Yes, safety is a primary concern. However, to get to a level where all crane operators are acting to identical sets of rules, there needs to be a consensus on what those rules should be. The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is the organization that was formed to plan training and assessment guidelines for crane operators.

Training and assessment for certification is now a nationwide standard. No matter where you do your crane operator training, if the training organization is accredited by NCCCO then everyone will receive similar training and pass the same assessments. So the first step was to establish a set standard throughout the country.

The second component was to accredit those organizations that were capable of delivering the training required. Accreditation was also given to those organization that met the minimum standards for assessing crane operators. There is now a national standard of training and assessing, which ensures that any crane operator that has been certified can effectively work anywhere in the country.

Whilst crane operator certification was originally planned to reduce workplace accidents, the end result is a set of minimum standards for all crane operators. These standards cover the complete range of crane operations, including, of course, safety. Find a training organization that is NCCCO accredited to deliver both the training and assessment of crane operators and you will be assured your training meets national standards.

Are you considering a career as crane operator but worried about the cost? Why not check out the financial aid that may be available to help pay for your crane operator training. In fact, taking up a financial assistance package may be the best move you ever make. Crane operators are amongst the highest paid heavy equipment operators in the country which means your training will soon pay for itself many times over.

There are a number of different options available to you depending on your circumstances. There is government assistance available for some people all the way through to career loans available through the many financial institutions.

With loans through financial institutions, you can either approach them yourself or you can fill in one of our online application forms. ATS have several loan options, once we receive your application we can generally get back to you within 48 hours.

Government assistance may be available through the following programs:

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• Department of Workforce Development
• Trade Adjustment Act (TAA)
• Displaced Workers
• Displaced Farmers
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Tribal Education (BIA)
• Veteran’s Benefits (VA)

Crane operators enjoy good working conditions, a challenging job that rarely gets boring, a respected status amongst heavy equipment operators and construction workers in general, and lucrative pay schedule. Crane operator training is fairly intense with a strong focus on safety that is designed to prepare students to sit for the crane operator certification tests once training has been completed.

Financial aid is available to most people. If your next career move is into heavy equipment then contact us to determine what is available in the way of financial aid for crane operator training.

There are many workplaces that have special requirements when it comes to employees and the equipment they use. Cranes and crane operator training is one very good example. There are many industries that use cranes in non-standard ways or in situations that are non-standard.

A good example of the use of a crane in a non-standard situation would be a crane on a boat or barge or a crane mounted on a train car. Whilst the operation of the crane itself is quite standard, the effects of the environment, in this case the rise and fall of the water, or the safety aspects of a train car, create work problems of their own.

Employers often find that the best way to recruit crane operators in these cases is to take on individuals who have good working knowledge of cranes, and then to provide them with specialist training, testing and certification. Specialist crane operator training centers around the task at the hand. A training program is developed along with testing to suit the long term aims of the employer.

If the training and testing meets certification guidelines then that process can be followed and a certificate issued. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools have specialist crane operator trainers who can come out to your workplace to deliver training. Specialist training can also be undertaken in one of our classrooms. Our aim is to ensure you have the right people trained to perform tasks that often unique to your business.

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.

Do you use bulldozers or a range of other heavy equipment in a specialized environment that requires specialized skills? If so, then engaging a professional training organization to deliver customized training can cut your long term costs to a fraction of what you are currently paying.

Whilst the cost of training may seem to tell a different story, having operators that are trained to do their work quickly and efficiently without any accidents can be make the difference. The cost of having one or more units out of action can be high, particularly if you need to hire replacement units to keep the processes moving. Customized training has been shown to reduce down time quite significantly.

There are other hidden costs associated with a lack of training. Operators can become frustrated if the task is complex and they have not had adequate training. These results in those operators moving on to more satisfying employment leaving the employer to go through the expensive task of hiring a replacement. Conversely, employees that are offered customized training feel that their employers value them highly. Being able to perform tasks with their new skills add to their job satisfaction.

The end result is a team of highly skilled bulldozer operators that enjoy their job and can complete tasks without incident, day after day. A second benefit to employers is that productivity increases when are operators are trained to use their equipment effectively.

Customized training for bulldozer operators is available through ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools. They can provide customized training on a range of heavy equipment along with cranes and trucks. Consult one of their experts to see if they can design a customized training program that can benefit your organization.

Over the years crane operator training has consisted of anything from by-the-seat-of-your-pants training to in depth classroom training. What had been missing was some form of recognition of the skills of the operators. How you do your training is not as important as being able to demonstrate that you can safely use that equipment.

By-the-seat-of-your-pants training has always been interesting and sometimes fun to watch. However, it can also be extremely dangerous. Let’s face it, you are letting a complete novice get behind a powerful piece of equipment and teach themselves by trial and error. If they get it wrong, they get it wrong big time. What is an even bigger problem is that this type of training leads to poor work habits. Safety and machine maintenance lose their importance in the big picture.

In depth classroom based training is probably the exact opposite. You finish up with individuals who can tell you everything there is to know about operating a crane. The problem is, they have no actual experience at operating a crane.

Somewhere in between these two extremes (and trust me, they do exist) is a training program that provides both the in depth in classroom theory and the hands on controlled use of a crane. This combination, when implemented properly, can produce operators that are skilled at operating a crane whilst also having the theoretical knowledge about how a crane works, the safety skills required as well as experience using a crane.

You can add to this a standardized assessment instrument that can measure whether or not the student is actually competent in all areas of crane operations. Students that meet the minimum requirements to become a crane operator are issued with papers that make them Certified Crane Operators.

Certification not only recognizes the skills of the operator, they help to set a standard that all employers can relate to. Many states are now insisting that all crane operators are certified before commencing work on any project. If you are a crane operator that hasn’t been certified, perhaps now is the time to do something about it before you are left behind.