The more training an employee has under his belt the more valuable they are to their employer. This is true in every industry, and this is especially true in the heavy equipment industry. There are numerous machines that an operator can get trained on that will make him more valuable. But, a unique route can be taken to increase an operator’s value even more. This is to combine the heavy equipment operator training certification with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) .

Every construction or engineering company needs to get their heavy equipment from one work site to another. With the majority of heavy equipment, this requires a flatbed truck which will also require a driver with a commercial driver’s license. This driver may then be required to move around the heavy equipment once he has arrived on a work site. By combining these two training programs, an operator can truly increase his value to any company. In this tight economy, any chance an operator has to improve his resume should be taken. This combination of training could make an operator invaluable to his employer.

An employer is always looking for ways to increase profits and speed up processes. A great way for an employee to save his employer money is to be able to perform the duties that would normally require two people. A heavy equipment operator that can drive equipment to a work site will stand out to his employer and will make him instantly more hirable. Today, millions are struggling to make ends meet, but a CDL licensed driver that can operate heavy equipment will be a highly coveted employee on any work site.

The exciting and lucrative world of heavy equipment operators is a dream for many, and it can be an exciting life. After all, sitting in a bulldozer or crane pushing and pulling levers sounds like a pretty good gig, but there is much more to being a heavy equipment operator than just this. Training on numerous pieces of equipment is an important part of becoming an operator, but perhaps even more important are the “little things” that a good training school will provide to help a heavy equipment operator strive on the work site. These are the skills that will ensure that an operator is effective and safe on the work site.

Some of these often overlooked skills are grade reading, work site safety and heavy equipment maintenance. These courses sound like very minor items. Perhaps, even throw away classes, but in reality, these can be some of the most important classes an operator will take. These classes will actually teach a trainee the fundamentals needed in the construction and engineering industries. It is essential that these are part of any training school’s curriculum for heavy equipment operator training.

A heavy equipment operator trainee obviously wants to learn to drive a bulldozer or a crane immediately, but it is essential that he is trained in the basics of safety and maintenance. An employer will be looking for a well-rounded operator that has been trained in all aspects of the job. Every good training school will ensure that a trainee has mastered these “little things” prior to moving onto the more exciting aspects of the job.

Many skills that are learned in the military are the same skills that are needed in many non-military industries. This is especially true when it comes to the world of construction, engineering and heavy equipment. The discipline and drive instilled in veterans are needed in this industry now more than ever, and with just a few weeks of training, veterans can go from the battle field to the construction site earning great wages in this pride-filled industry.

This industry, much like the military, is a results driven industry that will be a great fit for veterans of multiple military disciplines. There are many jobs in the military that lead directly to jobs in the heavy equipment and construction related fields, so the veteran can easily transfer this knowledge to become certified in multiple disciplines. Many choose to start with heavy equipment operator training and then move on to crane training or even rigger and signal person training. All of these classes are short and can get the veteran out on the work site quickly earning an excellent income.

There are also many other military professions that, although not directly related to construction, can make a smooth transition into this industry. After all, tank drivers can easily transfer their skills into driving a bulldozer. Many other drivers and operators of military vehicles and machinery can find rewarding careers in the heavy equipment fields, an easy transition.

The life of a soldier is one of constant training, which makes a veteran a great fit in the construction industry. This is an industry where a great deal of importance is put on training, mainly for safety, but also to ensure the job is done correctly the first time. Heavy equipment training truly is a great fit for veterans of any discipline.

Once a worker has completed the Heavy Equipment Operator training, he will often head right out to his new career at an engineering or construction company. The new skills that have been taught will begin to become second nature with the experience gained in the field. At this time, a worker will either decide that he or she is happy working as a heavy equipment operator, or that he is looking for something more from his career. There are many paths that can be taken at this point, but one route that can be chosen in this decision making process is to move into crane operations.

Crane operators require some additional training and skills above the requirements for a heavy equipment operator to safely operate these mammoth machines. To be able to operate a crane on a work site, the passing of a certification test is required. With these additional requirements comes more responsibility regarding safety and effective work practices, but with these additional requirements also comes additional pay for the crane operator. In many workers’ eyes, this additional crane operator training is well worth the time spent to ensure a higher salary at the end of the day.

Crane operator training can be a huge investment in any worker’s future. In about a month, a heavy equipment operator can be trained and certified to operate a crane and advance his career. Crane operators are in high demand right now due to the “baby boomer” generation reaching retirement age. Now is a great time for heavy equipment operators to get the crane operator training under their belts. What better time than now to advance a career?

Many people think they have it all figured out when it comes to picking out their profession. But often, they have no idea what a worker in that field really does on a day-to-day basis. A quick review of what a Heavy Equipment Operator does may help in this decision making process.

Operators are generally going to be working at a construction site, an industrial site or a road paving site, so for the most part the job will be outside in the elements. A Heavy Equipment Operator may operate numerous pieces of machinery such as: excavators, loaders, bulldozers, scrapers and more. Other operators might become highly effective with one piece of equipment and focus their efforts on just that facet of the job.

Another aspect of the Heavy Equipment Operator’s job is the physical work — very rewarding work, but tough none the less. An operator has to have good balance and physical strength to maintain control of his equipment in rough terrain. He also has to have great eye-hand-foot coordination to ensure he can manipulate the equipment with the precision necessary to complete the project. At times, an operator may need to even climb down off of his equipment and help the laborers to get a job done.

One overlooked and less glamorous part of the job is the maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. Minor repairs are often required to be made by the Heavy Equipment Operator on site to ensure the work schedule is maintained. When needed, the equipment will need to be cleaned by the operator to ensure it is maintained in working order at all times.

The life of a Heavy Equipment Operator can be a great one with good pay and a true sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. But, as with anything in life, great rewards come from hard work and responsibility, and the life of a Heavy Equipment Operator epitomizes this phrase.

One of the trends that reappears on a regular basis in our heavy equipment job listings is the requirement for a commercial drivers license (or CDL). Employers are now trying to employ workers who bring several different skills to the workplace. It does make sense, if an employee has more than one skill, then an employer can assign them tasks based on the employers need at that time – it’s certainly better than having to find menial jobs, or to have an employee sitting around doing nothing.

New heavy equipment operators will find that a CDL may make them more attractive to employers. However, it could also mean you are left to do the more mundane duties that are found in every workplace. I wouldn’t treat that as negative, however, since it can actually help your long term career prospects. What do I mean by mundane? Loading heavy equipment onto trailers, driving the trailer to a work site, unloading the heavy equipment, then returning ready for the next job – sound mundane – it probably is day after day. However, to begin with, you are playing an important role, and more importantly, you are gaining experience, albeit limited, on a range of heavy equipment.

Employers will, over time, allocate heavy equipment operational tasks, and that is where you can really start to develop skills and earn the trust and confidence of your employer. Before you know it, you are on permanent heavy equipment operation duties, and another rookie has joined the ranks to do the transporting. This is a common transition that occurs in most professions – you start at the bottom and work your way to the top.

Heavy equipment operators with CDLs are in high demand. Whether you’re a rookie looking to boost you employment prospects, or seasoned operator, that commercial drivers license could make a huge difference to your career – just check our heavy equipment job listings to see what employers are looking for.

There is a misconception amongst many in the community that heavy equipment careers are fairly itinerant by nature. This is far from the truth. Sure, there are major construction companies that move from project to project, taking their equipment and their operators with them. However, the majority of work for heavy equipment operators is local, with most operators home for dinner each night.

As for being a career for young single males – the majority of workers in this industry are over 40 and married, most with children. You can dispel the male only component as well, there are a lot of women who are now working as heavy equipment operators, and enjoying every minute of it. In reality, anyone can become a heavy equipment operator; all it takes is desire and an aptitude for operating equipment.

When it comes to employment opportunities, local construction leads the way while municipal councils run a close second. Private contractors are also big employers, offering equipment and operators for lease to farmers, developers and, on occasion, environmental groups wanting sensitive areas cleared of non-native vegetation. Even large construction companies, with their somewhat itinerant workforce, need to employ local operators to fill gaps in their ranks.

This means that most operators own their home, and work from their home base. These workers take the daily commute to and from their workplaces like everyone else, just a little earlier than most. A heavy equipment career is certainly not restricted to young single males (although the industry would love to see more of them join the ranks). A short heavy equipment training program is all that most people require to start successful careers as operators.

Here’s a question to test your memory. Have you ever seen a woman operating a bulldozer?

I guess the majority of people would say “no” to that question. However, let me follow up with a second question. Have you ever really looked at a bulldozer operator?

Most people are fascinated by the bulldozer. The operator is almost unnoticeable. If you have looked a little closer, you may have been surprised since there are a lot of women now operating bulldozers.

It’s not just bulldozers. Women are training to operate heavy equipment in increasing numbers since it a job that relies more on skill and hand-eye coordination than it does strength. Once you put on work clothes, hard hat and gloves, the gender of the person in the operator’s seat is almost impossible to determine. Just as importantly, if you check any of the job ads for bulldozer operators (or heavy equipment operators in general), there is never a reference to gender. The selection criteria is, ultimately, very simple – can you do the job?

Heavy equipment operations is one industry in which new recruits are welcome. Industry in general acknowledges the need for new operators, especially when you consider the average age of operators is now quite high, and many of those operators will be looking at retirement in the next five or so years. Factor in the increase in road and bridge construction and the need for new operators is becoming urgent in some regions.

It’s interesting to note that the percentage of jobs listed in our Saturday jobs guide heavily favors heavy equipment operators. Not only that, they heavily favor operators who can operate a wide range of heavy equipment. If you’re interested in becoming a bulldozer operator, start by attending a heavy equipment training school that doesn’t discriminate, and which offers training on a wide range of heavy equipment. Whether your male or female, all that matters is being capable of doing the job, and that starts with quality training.

This week’s job listings also include a couple of hiring presentations at our Wisconsin driving school. There is also a job listing that offers ongoing training in heavy equipment, perfect for those looking to develop new skills and add new equipment to their operating range.

WI, Diesel Driving School – Hiring Presentation on 10/4/11 at 4 P.M.

WI, Diesel Driving School – Hiring Presentation on 10/5/2011 at 4 P.M.

Clinton, KY – HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II
Drive truck hauling materials to and from job site. Operate dump truck with snow plow and salt spreader working snow and ice. Learn to operate with supervision frontend loader while loading trucks with materials & load salt during winter months. Learn to operate backhoe to load materials onto trucks.

Tampa, FL – EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II
Performs duties operating a wide variety of motorized equipment used in public works projects.

New jobs are coming in all the time so be sure to check out our job site if you are looking for new opportunities. Hiring presentations listed are provided by different companies, so if you’re interesting truck driving jobs, put both into your schedule. If a career operating heavy equipment, cranes or driving trucks appeals, then check out our range of training options. There is work available, you just need to develop your skills.

How safe are you in the workplace? Do you know what safety equipment is required in the workplace? For heavy equipment operators, working safely has several aspects and while protecting people and property in the vicinity of your work area is important, looking after your health safety is also important. Heavy equipment safety training includes being trained in the requirements and use of personal safety equipment. Some of this training can be completed in a training school while other aspects require on-the-job training, especially where equipment may be specific to that industry – mining is a good example of where industry-specific equipment could be required.

On construction sites, your personal safety equipment could include:

• Footwear such as steel capped work boots
• Hard hats
• Safety clothing, including special brightly colored fluorescent clothing when required
• Safety gloves, especially when working on the heavy equipment; for example, changing tools on backhoes
• Noise prevention and hearing protection
• And eye protection

Most construction sites forbid entry to anyone who is not wearing a hard hat and steel-toed work boots. Even safety inspectors need to meet these requirements before making an inspection. Workplace safety is an important issue and one that our legislators have worked on repeatedly over the years. Employers and employees can face severe fines if they do not meet minimum safety requirements, and, as they say, ignorance of the law cannot be used as a defense.

When undertaking heavy equipment training, be sure to check to see if heavy equipment safety is an important component. This doesn’t just relate to safety modules. It also relates to the reinforcement of safety issues while in the seat learning to operate equipment. Complete the right training and employers will be happy to hire you – if you don’t complete the right training, employers won’t give your application a second look.