Whilst heavy equipment operators are well paid, their rewards don’t stop there. Like all jobs, there are benefit packages that are offered when you first start with an employer. The size and scope of these benefits packages are generally determined by the size of your employer, your experience, and your reputation.

So what benefits can a heavy equipment operator expect?

• Health care that may include medical, dental, vision, and prescription medication coverage. These healthcare programs may include family members as well.
• Life insurance plans that include disability coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Cash bonuses – these are generally tied to contracts, if a contract is completed early or on time, then a cash bonus may be payable. Some employers also offer bonuses for safety records and long service.
• Paid vacations.
• Paid training – some employers may even reimburse heavy equipment operators the costs associated with additional training such as truck driver training and crane operator training.

That is only a short list of common benefits offered by employers, however, the total value of a paycheck together with those benefits can be quite sizable. Heavy equipment operators who are highly skilled and who have a good reputation as operators can also look forward to job security, even when times are tough. Employers will hang on to their most valued employees for as long as possible – you certainly wouldn’t be the first to let go when times are tough.

If you want a well-paid career that comes with a lot of side benefits, then heavy equipment operations should be on your list. It only takes three weeks of heavy equipment operator training to prepare you for the workplace – from there, your future is in your hands, and it could be a lucrative and enjoyable working future at that.

Truck drivers and heavy equipment operators are in demand this week, so much so that some employers are dropping in to see us in person, looking for recent graduates. If you require more information on these or any other jobs related to truck driving, heavy equipment operations and crane operations, visit our jobs website.

Truck Drivers
Windsor, WI.
Coca Cola hiring local route drivers and you’re home every night.

Truck Drivers
Cheyenne, WY.
Driver IV- CDL DRIVER – PTI Group

Truck Driver
Casper, WY
Driver IV- CDL DRIVER – PTI Group

Heavy Equipment Operators
Cromwell, CT
Heavy equipment operators needed.

Quarry Heavy Equipment Operator
La Coste, TX
Heavy Equipment Operator position available near Castroville, Texas. Please only apply if you already live in or around the San Antonio, Texas area, there is no relocation for this position and we are looking to hire someone immediately.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Ghent, KY
Position will be operating a front end loader, skidsteer loader, fork truck, track mobile, or excavator, providing services to a steel mill. Other duties as required by the Operations Supervisor or the Terminal Manager.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Murfreesboro, TN
Operates heavy equipment at a transfer station, recyclery and/or landfill for the purpose of transferring, spreading, covering, loading and/or compacting waste or soil in a productive and safe manner.

Truck Drivers/Heavy Equipment Operators
Wausau, WI.
3M stopped in at ATS and said hiring drivers/operators at Wausau quarry.

Heavy Equipment Operator/CDL Driver & Laborers
Fort Campbell, KY
Construction Company seeking Heavy Equipment Operator experience with Demolition required, a CDL Licensed Driver class B or A is required. Laborers for Demolition job experienced only.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Exeter, NH
Equipment includes loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, excavator, and street sweeper, trucks equipped with snow plows, other snow and ice control activities. Pick and shovel work, jack hammering, asphalt cutting, maintain drainage systems, clean out storm drains, culverts, and ditches, lays brick and block for drainage structures, dig trenches, some masonry, and other duties as required

WA, Tacoma. Check out this HEOP job

TRUCK DRIVER – CDL A: medical card * Boom Truck Driver must have current CDL Class A.

As you can see there is work available for operators and truck drivers. All that you require is the training and, in the case of truck driving, a commercial drivers license which we can help you attain. Check out the latest training programs and training dates by visiting our training school website.

Workplace safety has become such a huge issue in some places that one could almost be forgiven for assuming a degree of paranoia. This is especially true of government bodies who are constantly coming out with new regulations for workplaces. When it comes to heavy equipment operations, awareness is really one of the central issues. Like driving a car, heavy equipment operators need to be constantly on the look out for problems created by others, not necessarily themselves. This could be someone walking in front (or behind) your equipment or someone driving or operating other vehicles or machinery around you.

There is a bit of a paradox that can develop over time for heavy equipment operators. As an operator becomes highly skilled at operating their equipment, it requires less direct attention. For example, an experienced operator never needs to look at their controls – they know instinctively which lever or pedal they operating. You would think that this would enable an operator to spend more time focusing on what their equipment is doing, and what others are doing around them. Sometimes, the opposite is true – the operator wanders into a daydream-like state, operating their equipment on auto pilot – car drivers often experience this, often driving from A to B and not remembering anything about the trip.

So whilst awareness is an important issue, it is only going to be effective if you can remain focused on what you are doing and not letting your mind wander. Much of this will stem from your heavy equipment training. Operators who are trained to constantly monitor their equipment and the environment around them are generally much safer. This focus on the task is a habit that must be learned then developed in the workplace.

When undertaking heavy equipment training, check to see if your training organization has an effective safety component in their training rather than a token safety module that really doesn’t develop good habits. Develop those habits during training and you’ll be starting your career off on the right foot.

The bulldozer is still one of the most popular machines when it comes to heavy equipment careers. For many, the dream of operating a bulldozer starts with one of their first toys as a child. That sense of power – being able to push around a lot of dirt in one machine appeals, and whilst it is a popular career choice, there is still strong demand for bulldozer operators.

When it comes to construction, bulldozers are used everywhere. Whether it’s a new road, a new factory, or a housing development, bulldozers are the machine of choice to do all the preparation work. That means removing vegetation, large rocks, tree roots and excess soil, and there’s no doubt that a bulldozer is the machinery best equipped for that job.

Whilst it may look easy, operating a bulldozer is not just about pushing levers and pedals. Bulldozer operators need to learn a lot about dirt – at least, the different types of dirt. They need to learn how to clear an area of vegetation; how to handle rocks, or more particularly, large boulders; and how to deal with surfaces such as clay compared to sand or volcanic soil – they all react differently when being worked by a large blade.

Bulldozer operators become masters at assessing a plot of land and how best to clear and level that plot ready for the next stage of a development. A correct assessment means the operator can quickly clear the plot without causing any lasting damage to the plot, or his equipment.

It’s not difficult learning how to operate a bulldozer. When it comes to soil, the lessons never end – a bulldozer operator will always come across a plot of land that reacts a little differently because of its make up. You can train to operate a bulldozer. We can even teach you about the different soils and environments an operator is likely to face. However, it’s not until you get into the workplace that you’ll really understand that soils are not the same.

Children often dream of operating heavy equipment and building bridges or skyscrapers. When they grow up, some of them will continue with this dream, and actually need to be trained to reach their goals. In the real world, bulldozer training is essential to the safety and proper use of a bulldozer on any construction site.

Bulldozer training is an important requirement that helps in the reduction of jobsite errors and safety related accidents. It is training that is essential for the heavy equipment operator to become familiar with this massive and quite dangerous piece of machinery. This training gives the operator the required knowledge that he will need to operate a bulldozer in a safe and effective manner to get the job done safely. The operator of such a machine has a huge amount of responsibility regarding the work site and the workers that he is supporting. Safety is everyone’s responsibility on the job site, but the heavy equipment operator has the ultimate responsibility; he is operating a piece of equipment that could easily maim or kill a coworker or himself.

Safety is obviously a huge piece of the training but being able to properly get the job done is also an important aspect of bulldozer training. A bulldozer operator must be able to effectively perform his duties whether it is slot dozing, leveling or boxing out; it is essential that he can operate the bulldozer to its utmost. Often, many laborers are dependent on the bulldozer operator completing his job prior to them performing theirs. The job site can actually shut down if the bulldozer operator is not efficient at his duties. Accurate training on the critical aspects of the proper operation will ensure smooth processes on the work site.

Safety and efficient operation are important factors in just about any job that comes to mind, but when it comes to heavy equipment operation and bulldozer operation the importance of these factors is exponentially magnified. Exceptional training is the key to ensure the safest and most effective methods are learned prior to hitting the job site.

Have you ever dreamed of operating a bulldozer, perhaps a crane, or even driving a truck? There are many people who try to turn that dream into a reality. They attend training programs that are designed to teach them how to operate each of those vehicles, then leave to find employment within each of the industries.

If you have never been in the industry, the first problem is pretty simple – where do you start looking?

If you had access to dedicated career services personnel who knew all about your targeted industry, had possibly worked in that industry, and had developed a network of contacts in that industry, they would be an asset worth cultivating for your future career.

At Associated Training Schools, you don’t have to cultivate our career services personnel, they are there ready to help you achieve your goals from day one of your training.

You just cannot beat inside knowledge. Having a database of thousands of potential employees across a range of industries is just one areas where ATS can assist students in their quest for employment. Being able to link graduates with employers through a dedicated employment website helps to streamline your job search efforts. Just as importantly, being coached in how to approach employers, how to respond during employment interviews, and how to network with possible employers removes many of the barriers that new graduates face in any industry.

ATS have a history that goes back over forty years. Whether it’s a job as a crane operator, heavy equipment operator, or truck driver, ATS have the contacts and experience, and they freely share them with students and graduates of their training schools. As a graduate walks away following their last day of training, they don’t have to wonder “what now?” They already have the answer. In fact, for some, it’s more a question of “can I be ready to start work tomorrow?”

Does your training organization give you that head start?

It’s still winter in most places up north. And there is still ice and snow on the ground. In fact, Southern Pennsylvania just received snow last night. So will that kill the excavators?

Absolutely not. When a trench needs to be built, there’s no better tool than an excavator. It’s a machine that was built for the job. But, while that’s true, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend using the bucket for breaking up ice. The excavator has other tools for that. One tool that has proven to be useful for breaking up ice is the ground-breaking pick.

Backhoes are OK. They are versatile machines, but excavators are more powerful. In fact, put them side by side and let them have a contest and I guarantee you that excavator will win on breaking ice.

Heavy equipment operators are often multi-skilled operators. If you know how to operate a backhoe, chances are you know how to operate an excavator. By taking your training through a heavy equipment school that trains on multiple equipment such as the excavator and backhoe, you improve your chances of obtaining and keeping a long term job.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools, you’ll learn how to use the excavator even on the ice. You’ll be trained in its various functions and how to determine when to use each tool this versatile piece of machinery has to offer. Enroll today and start your career in heavy equipment operations.

Are there job opportunities for graduates following crane operator training? The answer is a big yes. The construction industry has been riding the crest of a wave in recent months and whilst in some areas it has slowed due to wintery conditions, come spring it will kick back in with renewed vigor.

It is a pretty good time to be considering a career in heavy equipment operations and this includes crane operations. The economy is slowly recovering from the downturn experienced over the last two years. The Federal government’s cash boosts to construction programs has been like a huge protein shot to a recovering athlete – you can’t keep them still.

There are road building programs planned all around the country along with new schools, hospitals and other basic infrastructure programs. This has led to a mini shortage of operators which can only be addressed by recruiting and training new blood to the profession. Job vacancies are there, it’s simply a matter of targeting the right employers.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools can help you target the right employers through their job placement program. They have a huge database of potential employers and many of them are requiring operators. Because of the reputation that ATS has developed over the years, graduates often get a head start when applying for a position.

The work is there. The economy is set to boom again which will put further demand on crane operator requirements. If you are considering a career change, and heavy equipment operations is on your list, consider seriously a career as a crane operator. They are well paid and the job delivers a lot in the way of personal satisfaction. Contact us for further information related to crane operator training.

Do you know what skills employers are looking for in excavator operators. Just as importantly, do you know what skills your excavator training organization is going to teach you? It makes sense, when looking at training programs for excavator operators, to find out who delivers training that provides graduates with the skills that employers are looking for.

Is there a basic set of skills that employers are looking for? It seems I have all the questions – do I have all the answers? I sure do.

When it comes to core skills, there are four that every heavy equipment operator needs to possess. These are:

• Soil knowledge. Can you differentiate between different soil types? This is an important part of any heavy equipment operator’s working day. Different soils can often require different approaches. Sandy soils, for example, may need support to prevent the sides constantly filling a trench.
• Safety. I think it is fairly obvious that safety issues would be up amongst the most important skills required by an operator. It is not just knowledge of safety that is important – it is the ability to work putting in place safety practices.
• Site layouts. Understanding blueprints and how to access sites under construction is also important. You cannot just barge in and start work. Often you have to navigate in and around other areas of the site to get to your part of the job.
• Heavy equipment maintenance. Like safety, heavy equipment maintenance is an important issue. Every hour of down time is an hour of lost income for an employer. If they are working to a tight schedule, the employer may be forced to hire in a replacement machine. Preventative maintenance is key area of any operator’s job.

Of course, those four core skills form the basis for other skills. The fifth skill that I haven’t mentioned is machine specific and that of course relates to actually operating an excavator. Can you actually use an excavator or can you just tell me how to operate one? Naturally, being able to competently operate an excavator is the important skill.

If you don’t have all of these skills, don’t worry. At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools we have you trained and ready for the workforce in next to no time. Furthermore, you will have all the skills that employers are looking for.

Becoming a backhoe operator is not that difficult although the skill levels are slightly more diverse than, say, an excavator operator or a loader operator. The reason of course is that a backhoe incorporates the skills required for both of those machines. You may wonder if there are any special skills or attributes needed to be a successful backhoe operator.

All heavy equipment operators need a basic set of skills and attributes. Like all workplaces, reliability is a key factor as is attention to detail. Being able to follow orders is important, but more importantly, you need to be able to stick to a plan.

Being physically fit is important along with general good health. Having good eyesight helps although being able to estimate distances and depths is an important attribute. Hand-eye coordination is also an important skill.

If you can tick each of those areas off then you are a step away from becoming a backhoe operator. The missing step of course is to undertake backhoe operator training. Heavy equipment is a field of employment that can be suitable for people of most ages and genders. Whether you’re twenty or forty; male or female; there is no discrimination when it comes to heavy equipment operator training – this includes backhoes.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools offer heavy equipment training in ten locations around the country. If you’re considering a career as a backhoe operator, or in heavy equipment in general, then give us a call to determine what training options are available for you. It’s a call you’ll never regret making.