It doesn’t matter what sort of training you undertake. It is going to cost you. If you were buying a car or a washing machine, for example, you would ensure you were getting value for money, so the same should hold true for training. When it comes to crane operator training, you can undertake basic training, which will provide you with some of the skills required, or you can undertake training that leads to a national certification.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools goes one better. We deliver crane operator training and follow that with NCCCO-approved assessments and certifications. Employers cannot employ a crane operator unless they are certified, so it makes sense to walk away from your crane operator training with that certification, not just the basic skills. The ATS training program includes options for:

• Training on swing cab boom cranes,
• Training on rough terrain boom cranes,
• Training on fixed cab cranes,
• Training on fixed boom trucks,
• Professional lattice boom crane instruction,
• Articulated crane training (aka knuckleboom crane),
• OSHA-compliant rigging & signalperson training,
• NCCCO written exams, and
• NCCCO practical exams.

Our training methods and standards are up-to-date and designed with future employment specifically in mind. We want our graduates to have long and successful careers as crane operators – you are, after all, our best advertisements. Your success helps us to remain successful with a philosophy we have held over fifty years, and one that has been maintained through our strong reputation with industry.

If you are interested in a rewarding and interesting career as a crane operator, then talk to us about your training options. You’ll be surprised at how quickly we can have you ready to commence work as a crane operator.

The are two components to a successful career as a heavy equipment operator – your training and your first job. Heavy equipment operator training provides you with the core skills required to gain employment. Once you have those core skills, it’s important for a number of reasons to find a good first job as a heavy equipment operator.

Obviously, building on those core skills is a vital step to a successful career. There is more to that first job than just gaining experience. That first job gives you the opportunity to develop your reputation – and reputation is what will help you gain future employment more than any other factor. If you have a reputation for being a skilled operator who is always on time, always works safely and who looks after their equipment, you’ll find yourself in demand by employers.

How do you get that first job? It can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the industry. As you develop your career, one of the things you’ll quickly discover is that it’s an ‘insider’ industry and that it’s hard for ‘outsiders’ to open doors. When looking at a heavy equipment operator training school, ask them if they can ‘open doors’ for you.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools does more than just ‘open doors’. We have a dedicated Career Services department whose only role is to help you gain suitable employment once you have completed your training. We work with you from day one helping you develop those soft skills that make finding employment so much easier. Research now shows that graduates who have been taught how to create resumes, fill in applications, and develop interview skills have a much higher success rate when it comes to looking for employment.

We also help students identify potential employers (and we have a huge database of potential employers), approach employers, and apply for job vacancies. Students (and graduates) also have access to our dedicated jobs website – a place where employers can post job vacancies. We know that our job is not to just train people to become heavy equipment operators – our job is to help people build a career as a heavy equipment operator, and that includes developing core skills and finding that first job.

Excavators are one of societies most essential pieces of heavy equipment. Water, gas, and waste water are all delivered to and from homes through underground pipes. Whilst I’m sure we could go back to the good old pick and shovel, it’s a very slow process. Excavators can do in one hour what it takes a team of men all day to achieve, and with fewer accidents.

Modern equipment now utilizes the most up-to-date technology – this includes GPS, computers and lasers. An excavator operator can dig a hole to a precise depth and width. If they have plans that show where pipes are, an experienced operator can unearth those pipes without causing any damage. We are also seeing an increase in other underground services such as electricity and telephone. One false move by an operator and we could have all of our services cut in an instant. Fortunately, accidents such as this are rare.

Whilst digging trenches is the realm of an excavator, there are other tasks. An excavator can be fitted with a wide range of attachments making it a useful tool in jobs such as demolition work. Excavators are also one of the most important pieces of equipment in mining, mind you, a mining excavator is huge compared to those you see on building sites.

It only takes a few of weeks of training to become an excavator operator. Excavator operators are well paid and there are always plenty of opportunities available. If you think about it, we are always going to need excavators if we want underground services, and that means there will always be opportunities for excavator operators.

There are a lot of people who see heavy equipment in use and either wonder what it would be like to operate one themselves or wish they had opted for a career as an operator. For many, the desire to learn to be a heavy equipment operator is still there, however, something holds them back. One of the biggest hurdles is simple fear – in a way, it’s a fear of the unknown, and that just happens to be one of mankind’s biggest fears.

A number of negatives always appear – can you relate to any of these?

• Can I afford the cost of training?
• Is there work available once I finish my training?
• Will I be any good as a heavy equipment operator?
• Will my family support me?

I am sure there are many other questions, however, those four cover the most common, and they all have basis in that unknown. You can quickly dismiss the last negative – just talk to your family. If you want to change careers, and heavy equipment is one of your options, then discuss this with your family. Discuss the initial upfront costs, however, don’t forget to mention how lucrative a career it is.

Can you afford the cost of training? You don’t need to pay for all of your training up front. There are loan options available, and once you start working as a heavy equipment operator, you’ll soon have those loans cleared. There are also several government programs available to help cover some of the costs – you may be eligible for one of those, particularly if you are an ex-military service person.

When it comes to employment, ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools work with their students to help them find that all-important first job. We don’t just deliver training, we have a dedicated career services department and their whole reason for being is to help you find employment in your chosen field.

Finally, will you be any good at it? You won’t know until you try it out. If you have any doubts about your ability, call us and discuss your options. Who knows, you may be able to visit our training school, talk to the instructors and students, and perhaps even get to sit in the seat of one of our machines. It’ll certainly give you a feel for the job. We can’t answer every question, however, we’ll do our best.

Need heavy equipment to help with a demolition job? The backhoe could just be the ideal tool. Backhoes are one of the most versatile pieces of heavy equipment used in construction. Their ‘hoe’ is ideal for digging trenches, knocking down walls, and even ‘raking’ debris into a pile. The loader at the front is then ideal for cleaning up debris by scooping it up and emptying it all into dump trucks.

A backhoe’s versatility doesn’t end there. Backhoes are one of several pieces of heavy equipment that can have specialized tools attached. These tools include a breaker that can be used to break up concrete blocks. A backhoe will often be called in to do this job in situations where the concrete is too large or too thick for standard jackhammers. The breaker is only one of many attachments that include tools such as an auger, a grapple, and single and triple shank rippers. Together, these tools make a backhoe a very handy tool around demolition sites.

A little less effective is an excavator. Excavators have the same range of attachments that a backhoe supports, however, an excavator doesn’t have the scoop at the front to collect and remove debris. A second piece of equipment in the form of a loader is required. One trend is to replace backhoes with mini-excavators and bob cars. Between them, they offer a lot of flexibility and can be used very effectively in confined spaces. That option does require two heavy equipment operators, a cost factor that businesses are ever mindful of.

The recommendation from the industry now is fairly simple – learn to operate as many different types of heavy equipment as possible. Whilst backhoes are still popular, it is wise to also learn how to operate an excavator and loader, and perhaps a bulldozer as well. Heavy equipment training through ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools is delivered using a wide range of machinery. You can graduate with well-developed skills in a variety of heavy equipment giving you the versatility to pick and choose the jobs that appeal to the most.

When looking at heavy equipment job listings, it’s important to read the requirements that an employer has included. They are there for a reason – the employer is looking for someone with those skills, attributes, or experience. When reviewing job listings, pay particular attention to the type of heavy equipment and the type of work being done. Job listings this week are light on, although the last month has been quite busy. The job vacancies below are a good example of the types of jobs we receive and the skills, attributes, and experience that an employer is looking for.

Backhoe Operator
Jacksonville, FL
Load Adjusts and Transfer Company hiring heavy equipment operators with experience operating backhoes.

Excavation Equipment Operator
Jacksonville, FL
Heavy equipment operators required to operate excavation equipment

Heavy Equipment Operator
Allentown, PA
Full-time heavy equipment operator required. Must have Heavy Equipment Experience.

Heavy Equipment Operator & CDL
Fort Polk, LA
Seeking Heavy Equipment Operator to join our outstanding team at the Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana.

Heavy Equipment Operator II
Hawaii
The Heavy Equipment Operator II will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of material handling and processing equipment at the assigned Hawaiian Earth Products facility, as directed by the Operations Manager.

Heavy Equipment Operators
Southern States
Operators required for forestry projects in southern states.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Palo Alto, CA
Heavy Equipment Operator in the Public Works Maintenance Operations-Street Division. Operators may be required to operate one or more types of heavy equipment.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Mountain Pass, CA
Operates designated machine or equipment. Observes and follow all safety rules and procedures. Performs other duties and activities as directed. Typically requires 2-5 years of related experience and certification.

Equipment Operator
Mendota, CA
Operate and maintain front-end loaders and other material handling equipment such as conveyors, reclaimers, disc screens, and truck dumpers.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Cedar Rapids, IA
Operate motor grader, dump truck, and other equipment. May also be required to operate low-boy and heavy equipment such as a bulldozer, motor graders, front-end loaders, and excavators; plows snow; sanding equipment; drive trucks; and unskilled labor when not operating.

To see these and any new jobs that arrive firsthand, take regular visits to our dedicated job website. You’ll find vacancies listed for heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers. For more information on training programs to prepare for a career in one of those fields, visit our heavy equipment training website.

There are three steps to a successful career as a heavy equipment operator:

• Finding a good heavy equipment training school
• Successfully completing your training
• Finding a good employer

You’ve found a good heavy equipment training school – we stand by our record of providing well-trained heavy equipment operators to a wide range of industries. When it comes to successfully completing your training, we try to do everything possible to help you through the training – whether or not you succeed depends on your attitude and willingness to learn. When it comes to finding a good employer of heavy equipment operators, that’s a lot easier than you may think.

In fact, we have you covered in that area as well. When you commence your training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools, you will be introduced to a member of our Careers Services team. They will work with you to find suitable employers in the area you wish to work. They will also coach you through the various components of securing a job. This includes creating a resume, filling in job applications, cold calling, and interview strategies.

We will also give you access to an employer database that is filled with thousands of potential employers. Our dedicated job site is also available where you can check on a regular basis for any heavy equipment jobs that have been listed. Every Saturday we list the best jobs here as well.

When you put the package together, we deliver a fairly comprehensive service. Our heavy equipment operator training is second to none when it comes to quality and meeting industry standards. Our Career Services team help you find the right employers. The only ingredient missing is your dedication – if you have plenty of that, then we’re ready to help you take those first steps to a successful career as a heavy equipment operator.

Heavy equipment operator job listings will go through an unsettled period in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. For some construction businesses, everything has come to a standstill as they try to assess the damage done to work in progress. Hundreds, if not thousands, of heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, and crane operators are going to be needed to help with clean-up efforts, repairs, and with the demolition and rebuilding of buildings badly damaged. There are a lot of roads that are going to need work on as well.

Right now, heavy equipment job listings are fairly light, although that follows a rather heavy list of job opportunities last listed last weekend. There is plenty going on in the south and west in states that were not affected by Hurricane Sandy, however, there will be operators from these areas who will be called in to help with the cleanup. Opportunities listed over the last two weeks include:

Heavy Equipment Operators
Southern States
Operators required for forestry projects in southern states.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Palo Alto, CA
Heavy Equipment Operator in the Public Works Maintenance Operations-Street Division. Operates may be required to operate one or more types of heavy equipment.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Mountain Pass, CA
Operates designated machine or equipment. Observes and follow all safety rules and procedures. Performs other duties and activities as directed. Typically requires 2-5 years of related experience and certification.

Equipment Operator
Mendota, CA
Operate and maintain front-end loaders and other material handling equipment such as conveyors, reclaimers, disc screens, and truck dumpers.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Cedar Rapids, IA
Operate motor grader, dump truck, and other equipment. May also be required to operate low-boy and heavy equipment such as a bulldozer, motor graders, front-end loaders, and excavators; plows snow; sanding equipment; drive trucks; and unskilled labor when not operating.

For more information on these or any job vacancies that arrive, please refer to our dedicated jobs website. For more information on careers in heavy equipment operations, truck driving, or crane operations, please refer to our training website.

Scenes on the news of a crane that was damaged by the high winds in New York this week are a timely warning to all heavy equipment operators. Weather is an important factor when operating heavy equipment, cranes, and even when driving large trucks. Strong winds can be a problem, however, what really causes damage is when that strong wind gusts. You may feel that operating a vehicle in 30 mph winds is okay – and it may be, however, wind can often gust to twice it’s speed, so that 30 mph suddenly becomes 60 mph, or more. The real damage being caused because it is unexpected.

It’s not just wind, rain and snow can also cause real problems. It may be quite safe to drive a bulldozer into a paddock to clear away trees and debris, however, a sudden downpour of rain could make a bulldozer’s escape a little difficult, perhaps even impossible, until the water has dispersed.

When thinking about heavy equipment safety, it’s easy to forget about weather, more so if you have had months (or years) of reasonable weather. The storms currently crossing our east coast are once every ten or twenty year storms – the kind of storms that most operators rarely get to see. This week’s storm is so severe it’s plain commonsense not to operate your equipment unless it’s an emergency. It’s the smaller storms that are a worry, the kind of storm where a heavy equipment operator may be tempted to risk it. You really need to ask yourself – is the risk worth it?

As heavy equipment operators, you have a responsibility to operate your equipment in a safe manner. It is your responsibility to ensure that people and objects are safe, that your equipment is safe, and ultimately, that you yourself are safe. If there is a risk to any of those areas, you shouldn’t be operating your equipment. Heavy equipment training can cover a lot of safety issues, however, it’s your job to assess the environment at the time.

Heavy equipment operators are in strong demand this week with jobs available as far away as Hawaii. The current trend is for full-time positions, so there is some job security that you can depend on. If any of these positions appeal to you, visit our dedicated jobs site where you’ll find more information on these and any other jobs that have been listed recently.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Inwood, WV
Full-time, experience w/ fine grating and valid driver’s license required.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Allentown, PA
Environmental Services company located in Bethlehem is seeking an FT Equipment Operator. Must have Heavy Equipment Experience Competitive Salary Health Ins./Dental/401K/Pd Vac. Drug-Free Workplace / EOE

Crane Operator
Homestead, FL
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move heavy structural steel, materials, machines, forms, or products in many directions. Will observe load hook-up and determine the safety of the load using load
charts and lift plans. Must be able to judge spaces correctly and handle many controls at the same time. Will initiate lifts, hoists, and movements according to written, verbal, or signaled instructions.

Heavy Equipment Operator & CDL
Fort Polk, LA
Position available in a fast-paced company with a mission: To Create Jobs for People with Disabilities while providing high-quality, value-added solutions to our nationwide customers. We are currently seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to join our outstanding team at the Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana.

Heavy Equipment Operator II (leeward)
Hawaii
The Heavy Equipment Operator II will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of material handling and processing equipment at the assigned Hawaiian Earth Products facility, as directed by the Operations Manager.

If you’re interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, crane operator, or truck driver, then visit our training site where you’ll find more information on heavy equipment operator training, crane operator training, and truck driver training.