There are many reasons people choose a career in construction. Here are some of the more common reasons that people choose to work in construction.

• You can see the results of your work. Your hard work pays off. You can see the finished project.
• You get to be outdoors. Your day is not spent in the office. Instead, you get to visit different construction sites and work on different projects.
• There are many different job opportunities, and you can choose different paths. You can train to do different jobs, so you can do various work duties. You may be a truck driver, a heavy equipment operator or you could be an expert carpenter or work in masonry.
• You have job stability. There is a shortage of construction workers, and workers are always in demand. You will not have trouble finding work.
• The construction industry will always be needed. There will always be a need for new construction projects, and there will always be a need for construction workers.

If you are serious about choosing a career that will give you job satisfaction, construction should be on your shortlist. To learn more about construction opportunities, talk with an educational facility that specializes in training programs for construction workers.

ATS offers specialized training and has payment options available. Call to speak with a representative about the options available.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, the construction industry had more than 375,000 job openings during July. A job opening is any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. According to the data, job openings in the construction industry increased by 22,000 during July and they are up 38,000 over the numbers for July 2021. That is a significant change in a year.

Also, during July, total construction starts rose 48 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.36 trillion, according to the Dodge Construction Network. The significant gain is because of the start of three large manufacturing plants and two LNG export facilities. But without those large projects, the total percentage of starts would have still increased by seven percent. Construction starts for nonresidential projects were up 79 percent in July, while nonbuilding starts jumped 120 percent.

This means that the demand for construction workers is not slowing down. If you are looking for a good career where there is job security, choosing a career in the construction industry may be the best move you could make in days of uncertainty. Many career fields see fluctuations or significant changes, but that is not the case with construction.

Associated Training Services offers a variety of programs that allows individuals to train for different roles in the construction industry. We also partner with companies to help them get trained employees to fill their job openings. Call us today to learn more about ATS and how we can help you.

At some time or another, you have seen tower cranes towering over a construction site. These are referred to as tower cranes, much as the appearance implies. They can lift as much as 19 tons and can reach as high as 265 feet. Operating a tower crane requires a lot of skill because the safety of an entire neighborhood could lie in the hands of the tower crane operator. Tower cranes are used to lift generators, large pieces of steel, and large air conditioning units among other larger and heavier items needed to construct a large building.

How Is A Tower Crane Constructed?

Tower cranes are constructed on a large and heavy concrete pad. The crane’s base is secured onto the support pad with heavy-duty bolts. The concrete pad is necessary for stability and the construction process. The pad is poured weeks before the construction process begins. The pad could be as large as 30 feet by 30 feet, can be as much as 4 feet thick, and weigh as much as 400,000 pounds. The large tower that reaches into the sky is referred to as the mast. On top of the mast is the slewing unit, which is the mechanical component that allows the rotation of the crane. The jib is a long arm extending from the crane, and the machinery arm is a shorter arm.

It can take up to a dozen tractor-trailers to haul in all the components for the tower crane. Mobile cranes are used to assemble the jib, the slewing unit, and the counterweights. The crane is grown from the base up using a climber to lift the topmost part of the crane with the jib, slewing unit, and machinery arm to allow the mast’s latticework to slide in, which the tower crane does itself using the jib. The lattice is secured then the process is repeated with the climber.

Training For Tower Cranes

If you are interested in a career in operating tower cranes, call the team at ATS Training School today.

If you are interested in operating heavy equipment, you might want to train to get a job working with the railroads. A railroad crane, which is sometimes called a crane car or wrecker, is a kind of crane that is used for working on railroads for three different purposes.

Here are reasons railroad cranes are used:

• Freight handling
• Permanent way maintenance
• Accident recovery work

While the crane’s design might differ based on the kind of work it will be used for, it will have the same basic configuration. They are designed with a rotating body that is mounted onto a chassis that has flanged wheels. The body will support the boom and has the mechanisms used for operating and lifting. Most larger cranes will have a cabin for the operator.

A coupling gear is fitted onto the chassis so a locomotive can move the crane, but many cranes are self-propelled so they can somewhat move around the job site. If the crane has a jib that is larger and extends beyond the chassis length, a boom car will be provided to protect the jib and to let the crane be coupled within the train. A boom car is a flat wagon that allows the jib to be secured for transport. It often has storage areas for supplies and special equipment.

Operating Crane on Railroads

Operating a railroad crane requires special skills and training. The operator must understand the operations process and all the safety techniques because the equipment will be used for detailed jobs in tight spaces. And, if the job isn’t done correctly, it could put many lives on the line and millions of dollars of equipment at risk.

Railroad cranes have capacities ranging from 15 tons to 250 tons. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets requirements and standards regarding railroad crane operation. If you are interested in a career in railroads as a crane operator, you will need to get the proper training and certifications so you can adhere to the standards established by OSHA.

Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a heavy equipment training school that teaches students how to use cranes, including those used by railroad companies. To learn more about the programs available, call (800) 383-7364 today!

The Average Crane Operator Wages?

There is a high demand for crane operators in the construction industry. Crane operators must undergo extensive training to safely operate these large pieces of machinery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2014, there were 44,540 people employed as crane and tower operators in the United States. The average hourly crane operator wages are $25.75 per hour, which comes out to $53,500 annually. According to the study, other construction equipment operators average $48,020 per year, or $23.09 an hour. To fill any of these positions, you will need to undergo specialized training. In some states, crane operators must have OSHA certification as well.

The Sky is the Limit

When it comes to operating cranes, the sky is the limit and that is in more than one way. While cranes are towering over buildings, many crane operators have salaries that tower over the salaries of their fellow construction workers. An article in the Wall Street Journal reported that crane operators in New York sometimes make $500,000 annually when pay, benefits, and overtime are figured in. That is a half million dollars every year for working in the construction industry and operating equipment. The Real Estate Board of New York, which represents the construction industry, reported that those employees earning the highest salaries are union members, and some of them are relief crane operators, which are required by the union contract for specific projects.

What Future Do Crane Operator Wages Hold?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are several states that require more crane operators. Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Oregon have the highest concentration of jobs for crane and tower operators. Arizona has the lowest need for these workers. Crane operators are paid the most in New York, New Hampshire, Alaska, Hawaii, and New Jersey. When it comes to future job openings, the demand for crane operators will stay steady. With an increase in construction projects, the need for crane operators will climb. The retirement rate for crane operators is expected to be higher than average over the next few years, so the high number of retiring workers will contribute to the number of job openings that are available. Therefore, the number of job openings will be greater than the number of those seeking jobs in the field.

Get the Proper Training

To become a crane operator, training is needed. ATS offers mobile crane training. ATS offers a variety of programs to train crane operators, including programs to prepare for NCCCO Mobile Crane Certification. Some of the different crane programs include:

• Large Telescopic Boom Cranes
• Small Telescopic Boom Cranes
• Lattice Boom Cranes
• Articulated Cranes
• Tower Cranes
• Digger Derricks

To learn more, call (800) 383-7364 today.

When most people think about cranes, they think of the enormous tower cranes adjacent to skyscrapers under construction. Of course, there are other types of cranes that people don’t consider as easily. For example, if you’ve ever seen an electrician working on a telephone pole, you’ve probably seen a telescopic crane and truck. These cranes and trucks have several purposes but on a much smaller scale. Continue reading as we discuss telescopic trucks.

Telescopic Cranes and Trucks

Telescopic cranes are made of a boom that consists of a series of cross-sectional segments that are either trapezoidal or triangular. Once fully retracted, these pieces fit into each other. In several occurrences, telescopic cranes are mobilized by being secured onto trucks.

Once the crane is ready to be used, the tubes extend to the desired length with the help of a powered device. Integrated Publishing discusses telescopic booms and their three types: full-powered, pinned, and a combination of the two. Full-powered booms have segments that are retracted and extended using hydraulics (excluding the base section). Pinned booms have segments that are pinned in retracted and extended positions.

The crane system and telescopic truck can be used for many jobs together. TEREX and Elpers Truck Equipment disclose some typical uses, such as:

• Mining
• Installing cable TV
• Erecting steel
• Maintaining equipment
• Field service and installation
• Park and roadside highway maintenance
• Concrete work

The telescopic handler, another kind of telescopic truck, has the benefits of a forklift. Thackray does a good job describing this piece of machinery. Otherwise known as a telescopic forklift or telehandler, this machine consists of a truck with a boom that can fit several attachments. The ability of the boom to extend allows the attachments, like pallet forks, to attain heights that would be impossible with standard forklifts. Keep in mind that this truck can become unstable as the load is lifted higher. Be sure to use the correct load charts and follow other guidelines in order to comprehend the proper limits.

About TEREX

TEREX, which stands for “Deutsche Maschinenbau AG,” is a crane manufacturer based in Germany. This brand has made history with its legendary crane achievements, including:

• 1950: The first telescopic boom crane with a lifting capacity of 2.5t
• 1990: The most powerful telescopic truck on Earth with a 500t lifting capacity
• 2007: The strongest crawler crane with a lifting capacity of 3,200

TEREX Telescopic Cranes

TEREX cranes are all about delivering success and powerful mobility. Trucks are constructed to demand minimum rigging and positioning, and with a maximum speed of 65 mph on the highway, it is very easy for cranes to move between job sites. The powerful engine and hydraulic system that powers these cranes is built to take on any Jobsite condition, which further decreases downtime. The crane truck itself is made to last so that customers can serve endless clients.

TEREX has various telescopic truck crane models to suit your needs. The T 780 has a 169-foot max height and a 72.6t nominal lifting capacity for the biggest projects around. On the other hand, the T 340- 1 model has a 147-foot max height and 36.3t nominal lifting capacity to take on small jobs.

Homes are becoming more expensive, and ways of reducing costs, for the builder and the buyer, have been in demand for some time. One of the most popular ways to reduce both cost and site construction time has been the Modular Homes approach.

Modular homes, also known as factory-built, system-built, or even prefabs (short for prefabricated), are not new. In fact, after WW2, thousands of prefabs were used to rebuild the housing stock in the UK, it’s a tried and tested approach that has now been completely refined.

The Difference in Modular Homes

What set these modern modular homes apart from the standard constructed homes we are used to, is that they are built in parts in factories, and then shipped to the site to be assembled on permanent foundations. To ensure strength and longevity, building regulations for modular homes are very precise, and often exceed the requirements of traditionally built homes.

This approach does two things, first, it reduces overall construction costs, with only the final installation being done on-site, they are not affected by weather or other delays as can happen on-site. The production line nature of the component pieces of the home means that they can be produced much more quickly without sacrificing any quality, benefiting everyone.

Secondly, on-site, construction is simple. First, the new foundations are laid, as there would be for any new home, after that, the components are shipped to the site and then put together. With the bulk of the work done in the factory, a new home can be completed in just a few weeks, much faster than the traditional approach. However, many people think that this comes at a cost, with modular homes all looking exactly the same, you have to take what is on offer. That used to be the case, but today, modular homes are customizable, and you really can create the home of your dreams with the modular approach, and also save a lot of money in the process.

One of the biggest challenges on any site is the delays due to weather issues, and for all-year-round construction projects such as home building, this can be a particular issue. For anyone working on-site, that causes a lot of issues, and a faster process that avoids such delays is beneficial to everyone. The modular home sections arrive complete, and they are lifted into position using a crane. Each section is added in turn until the house is finished, a little like putting Lego bricks together to make a structure.

Modular homes are growing in popularity thanks to fast construction and cheaper costs when compared with traditional homes, this is not only good for home buyers but represents a valuable, year-round opportunity for crane operators. Home construction is changing, and modular homes are definitely the homes of the future.

One of the few things politicians of all persuasions agree on is that the country needs investment in its infrastructure to ensure that we have the systems in place to take us into the future. While they argue about how much and so on, for the construction industry as the plan for infrastructure takes shape, it is having a dramatic effect.

There are several areas where such large construction plans matter and one of the main ones is the skill shortage that needs to be addressed. In almost every aspect of the construction-connected industry, from truck drivers to haul materials to skilled heavy machinery operators to work on-site, there are shortages of people with the appropriate skills.

Construction throughout the country hit new highs at the end of 2017, with over $1 trillion in November, and with government infrastructure construction spending yet to really get moving, there is much more to come. Everything from housing, where demand is high but inventory is low, through to major infrastructure projects are coming online requiring more people and more skills.

The lack of skills is a problem all over the country, and this became apparent last year after contractors struggled to recruit skilled staff in the response to Hurricane Harvey, and those problems persist today in almost every state. It is not just a recruitment problem for today either, with many skilled professionals in the building trade having an average age of 50, this is a long-term issue that is now becoming a critical problem.

For those looking for a career though, this problem definitely represents an opportunity, and for those willing to learn those in-demand skills, whether that is craftsmen, heavy machinery operators, crane operators, and everything in between, there is much to enjoy about the coming infrastructure spend. Gaining those skills is a commitment of course, but with vocational schools now back on the political agenda and awareness that there is an alternative to college to build a career, it is one people are beginning to choose.

With a skill shortage, these are careers that are paying increasingly well, and with the construction projects put in place over these next few years often stretching out into decades-long commitments, they are also able to offer a level of job security that many other areas cannot hope to match.

The ability to be a part of projects that will shape the future of the country is an amazing opportunity for anyone today, and with the right skills, even in the 21^st century, you can still leave your mark on this great land.

Crane operators are some of the most skilled people operating on any site, being able to maneuver such large equipment and their loads with such precision can be awe-inspiring to watch. It’s why so many people love cranes, but there is also an inherent danger in crane work, and the potential for accidents is greater than with most other site equipment.

While modern technology, new construction techniques, and increasingly skilled operators mean that accidents today are much rarer than even 30 years ago, every accident is still one too many, and as such, we should never stop looking for ways to eliminate them. Accidents come in all shapes and sizes of course, tipping over in extreme weather is one type of accident that has been seen in recent years, a consequence of the increase in the size of cranes in general. However, many accidents can be attributed to human error, whether that is an operational or communication failure, maintenance deficiencies, or even a failure to follow safe practices by site workers.

The issue of extreme weather is one that can be dealt with through more closely monitoring weather reports, allowing preparation for the conditions, however for others where human error is responsible, then education is the solution. Specific, professional crane operation training is proven to give operators the confidence and knowledge to operate these ever more complex, large cranes more safely. However, it is not just the physical operation of a crane that training can improve, although, with such heavy loads today, that aspect is crucial for onsite safety. For operators, increased training can also help them spot potential safety issues on-site before they occur.

This could be potential communication issues that a specific site brings, it could be worker positioning during the movement of a load or when checking over equipment before the operation to recognize maintenance issues. It is the ability to see a problem before it becomes one, through understanding where the risk is and what it looks like, in every aspect of the crane operator’s job, that makes regular crane operation training so important.

Crane Operator Training

As every year cranes are becoming larger and more complex, so the need for training on these new machines becomes more important, the need to understand all aspects of operation, including safety being critical. With larger loads, larger cranes, tighter deadlines, and tighter budgets ensuring that crane operation remains as safe as possible increases the responsibility placed on operators and site management. While errors can never be completely eliminated, having the required training provides operators with the skills and knowledge to operate a crane safely, and just as importantly, recognize where issues for the safety of the crane and those around it could be compromised before an accident occurs. Crane operator training today is not just important, it is essential.

It’s probably crossed your mind already, just what is it like to be a crane operator? If there is one job that everyone sees being done that makes us think, it is the crane operator. But what is the job actually like for those that take on the training and go out and do it?

The first task of the day, no matter what kind of crane is being operated, is safety. Whether a mobile crane or a tower crane, giving things a check over is important. For mobile cranes, this means a once-over before setting off to the site, for a tower crane, operators check the crane at each stage as they climb to the cab. Responsibility, as shown by the safety checks, is a big part of being a crane operator, and that is why it can be so appealing. You are responsible for your crane, yourself, and the loads you move.

For mobile cranes, finding today’s site is the next challenge, moving large cranes around is itself a skill, but with each new site is a new work environment, and those ever-changing surroundings mean that life for a crane operator is never routine, never dull.

Operating the crane itself is, of course, the main part of the day, and is an exercise in precision and teamwork. Crane operators take responsibility, but they also need a team to guide them as loads are moved. Hand signals, radios, and even flags are all tools that allow the team to work seamlessly and safely to get the job done. Many people think a crane operator’s day is a lonely one, but the truth is that it takes a team to make it work. Operators may be alone in a cab, but they are never on their own on a site.

It can be long days, sometimes 12 hours on big projects, but that combination of responsibility, skill, and teamwork makes crane operators something unique. It also makes the work day for crane operators unique as well, which is why we see those cranes and wonder what it would be like. If you like the idea of something different every day, working as a team and taking on responsibility for yourself and others, it’s time to think about that crane operator training for yourself.