Over the last five years we have seen the need for some form certification increase across a range of equipment. I know there are many operators who question the need for certification, with some even resenting the process. The problem is, it’s operators and employers who have forced this certification process on themselves.

Certification is all about safety, and it is designed to save both life and property. In most cases, accidents are caused by human error, often negligence. Minimum safety standards should, over time, help to reduce the number of accidents, more so if an operator has received training .

Construction sites are very busy with machinery constantly coming and going, and people always on the move. It becomes necessary in these situations to have everyone trained to at least the same mini. Heavy equipment operators can be a disadvantage – projects need to be completed on time to ensure future projects are not affected, yet there is little room for them to maneuver and work safely in.

By certifying operators, employers know that each has received their heavy equipment safety training that legislators expect of them. Employers also know that accidents should be on the decline, although no amount of training can prevent shear negligence. Fortunately, a certification system can remedy that as well – negligent operators may well lose their certification until they can prove they can safely operate their equipment. At present, there are heavy equipment operations that don’t need certification, however, this will not last for much longer, most other construction careers now do require that certification.

The hardest part of any new career is getting your leg in the door. Once in, the rest is pretty much plain sailing, especially if you’re pretty good at what you do. Heavy equipment careers are no different – find an employer willing to take you on as a raw novice, and the door opens to prove your worth. If you’re well trained, and you perform well, you’ll always find employment.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools are well aware of the difficulties graduates face in finding employers willing to take a chance on new recruits. Fortunately, we have a terrific reputation amongst employers for our quality training methods, curriculum and delivery. More importantly, our graduates are well regarded from day one, simply because they have our training school listed on their resumes.

Since we are well respected, we have developed a huge database of potential employers from all around the nation. We have also developed a well trained career services department. It is their role to work with students to develop quality resumes and to fine tune their job search skills. This includes approaching potential employers and how best to present themselves and perform during job interviews. We also work with students to find potential employers, and to approach those employers with a view to getting that ‘leg in the door’.

ATS also has a dedicated job site where employers can place and job vacancies. Some of these vacancies are also published on this site each Saturday. With our job site and career services department, heavy equipment operator students (and truck driver training/crane operator training) receive all the assistance possible to get that all-important first job. What we don’t do is deliver training then wave goodbye when completed – we continue to help you for as long as you need that help, and that’s generally not all that long.

As winter approaches many construction jobs start to wind up, especially those in areas that are subject to heavy snowfalls. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t work available. In fact, states such as Florida often increase their construction activity in winter since that is their ‘dry’ season. There’s no mystery why many people migrate to Florida during winter – the weather’s great and life is very comfortable.

If you are looking for employment in the heavy equipment operation field, and you don’t mind spending a winter in warmer climates, then keep your eyes open for opportunities in some of the southern states where snow is not a problem, and the weather, in general, is kind to construction. This week’s job opportunities include:

Backhoe Operators
Little Rock, AR
An employer is looking for backhoe operators

Excavator Operators
Little Rock, AR
Experienced Cat 345 operators required

Heavy Equipment Operators
Riverton, WY
An employer is looking for heavy equipment operators

Heavy Equipment Operator
Englewood, CO
Employer requires Heavy Equipment Operator/ Scraper operators in Englewood

For more information on these jobs, visit our dedicated jobs site. You’ll find new job vacancies being listed on a regular basis for heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, and crane operators. If you’re interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver, or crane operator, then visit our training site – you’ll find all the latest information on our training programs, and winter is the perfect time to train for a new career.

Excavators – you would be surprised at how small they can be, and equally surprised at how large they can be. Small excavators can be loaded onto a small trailer and towed by a family car. Large excavators are the biggest machinery in use – they crawl along at a top speed of 5mph, have buckets the size of a house, and can excavate several tons of earth with one scoop of that large bucket.

No matter the size, operators still start with the same basic excavator training. That means hands on training to get a real feel for the equipment, safety training (for obvious reasons), and training in areas such as soil knowledge and understanding site plans. Operators, including those that operate the monsters of mining, also need to learn basic maintenance skills, particularly those involving problem identification – it’s better to identify a problem whilst it’s small, before it becomes a major problem that disables their equipment for any lengthy period of time.

You can find excavators working in a wide range of work places. Digging trenches is just one, however, they can also be involved with demolition work, whilst much larger excavators slave away in mines. Excavator operators are amongst the highest paid heavy equipment operators, and there is always demand for operators.

If you’re looking for a career in heavy equipment, you should give the excavator plenty of consideration. If you like variety, if you like the challenge, then excavators provide those and more. You can commence a career as an excavator operator after as little as three weeks training – that training will have the basics covered, and you’ll be prepared for entry level work.

Much has been said and written about heavy equipment safety, however, it not a new subject. Safety has always been at the core of any heavy equipment training – there’s just hasn’t been the focus that we now see. In the past, it was considered a part of your training, not as a separate subject.

As an example, an excavator operator has always been taught to check their environs before operating their equipment. Looking up, looking around, and even looking down is not new – it’s always been there. The difference now is that operators are assessed on their specific knowledge of heavy equipment safety and because of that, it has become a separate subject area.

When you compare accidents and serious injury/death rates between now and twenty years ago, there’s no argument that specialized safety training has helped to decrease these numbers. Employers have been given the responsibility (some would say burden) of ensuring that all workers are trained to a minimum OSHA standard. When looking for heavy equipment training, it makes sense to check that OSHA training is included in your training program. Without this training, your employment prospects may be limited – you will need to find an employer who is willing to take your through an equivalent safety training program.

Safety in the workplace is an important issue nationwide, not just in the heavy equipment field. Pen pushers in their glass towers are required to have some form of safety training, even if it only involves fire drills. When it comes to heavy equipment operations, it’s important to remember that your equipment is large, it’s heavy, and it’s deadly if not used safely – deadly to both those around the equipment, and in many cases, to those operating the equipment.

Heavy equipment safety has always been an important component of training – today, safety issues are clearly documented and you are expected to have a sound knowledge of these issues.

One of the busiest machines on a construction site is often the backhoe. Being so versatile, they can perform any number of jobs, and that makes them valuable to any business. The more experience a backhoe operator has on a variety of jobs, the more valued that operator becomes.

Backhoes are unique in the heavy equipment field. They can perform a lot of the work that an excavator does, and they can perform a lot of the work that a loader does. With the right attachments, a backhoe can even perform light bulldozing work. To add to their value, backhoes can be quite nimble, working in smaller areas than their larger counterparts.

To work as a backhoe operator, you need the skills that encompass both an excavator and a loader. When looking at training options, the ideal training program will give a student access to all three pieces of equipment along with some time on alternates like a bulldozer and grader. This gives the operator a broad exposure to heavy equipment whilst allowing them to concentrate on the skills requires to operate a backhoe.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools deliver training across a range of machinery including:

Backhoes
Wheel Loaders
Scrapers
Excavators
Bulldozers
Road Graders

If you’re interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, then contact us for more information on available training programs. You’ll find more information on our training programs including how to apply on our main website. Training programs start on a regular basis with students graduation ready for employment in as little as three weeks. Our career services department is there to help graduates find their first job in the heavy equipment industry – that’s everything a person requires to launch themselves into a new career in this industry. If the backhoe isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then you can try your hand at bulldozers, graders or anyone of a dozen other pieces of heavy equipment.

If you’re looking for work that delivers big on the pay front, then heavy equipment operations, truck driving and crane operations can certainly deliver. The downside – you have to accept working conditions that are not exactly normal. What sort of work and working conditions? Consider these career paths:

Oil rigs – oil rigs are generally located well offshore. Workers fly in and work for up to 20 days (sometimes more) straight before flying back to shore for a week. On the upside, workers are very well paid, and there’s little to spend your money on out on an oil rig. Oil rig workers include riggers, signal persons and crane operators.

Mining – there are many mines that are located close to main centers, however, there are just as many that are located in fairly remote areas. Like oil rigs, workers may fly in, work for three or four weeks straight before flying home for a week. Some mines work shifts where your only ‘home’ time is once every six months. The pay is very good, the conditions not as harsh and tough as they were fifty years ago (you almost live and work in luxury now). Mines employ riggers, signal persons, truck drivers, crane operators, and a range of heavy equipment operators.

Forestry – most forestry plantations are now located close to main centers. However, there are still areas where ‘old’ timber is harvested, and these areas tend to be a long way from major service centers. Like the mining industry, the forestry industry requires workers from all areas of heavy equipment, truck driving and crane operations.

Military – if you’re looking for a lifestyle as well as a career, then the military could be worth investigating. The military employs truck drivers and heavy equipment operators (particularly bulldozer operators). You will need to go through regular recruiting processing including basic training. However, you not only receive a good wage, you receive all the benefits that go with being in the military. You will most likely spend some time overseas, possibly in areas like Afghanistan, depending on the requirements of the military at any given time.

When considering a career as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver or crane operator, you don’t have to focus on the more traditional work places; there are other well paid options. No matter where you decide to work, you will still need to develop the basic skills that are required to gain entry level employment. That means accessing the right training for the area in which you wish to work.

Are there jobs in the trucking and construction industry? There certainly are. We are constantly receiving job vacancies from employers (you can view them all on our job site), and often the vacancies are for multiple positions. It’s important to read each job vacancy and to keep a positive attitude. We often hear the comment like, “Sure there’s a job available right where I want to work, however, I am new to the industry so they won’t select me.” That’s the wrong attitude. They may well select you if you are suited to their needs, and if they are recruiting for several vacancies, then you’ll have an even better chance of success. It’s like the old lottery issue – you won’t have a chance of winning if you don’t buy a ticket – in this case, you certainly won’t get the job if you don’t submit an application. The jobs that have recently come into our offices include:

Truck Driver Job Vacancies

Detroit, MI

Eagan, MN

Fort Worth, TX

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Nashville, TN

San Antonio, TX

Crane Operator Job Vacancies

Anchorage, AK

Hamilton, TX

New Mexico

San Jose, CA

San Marcos, TX

Tulsa, OK

Heavy Equipment Operator Job Vacancies

Fargo, ND

If you’re interested in a career as a crane operator, truck driver, or heavy equipment operator, then talk to us to find out how easy it is to get a start in these careers. It can take as little as three weeks of heavy equipment operator training to be ready to operate heavy equipment in the workplace – that’s a small investment in time for a lifelong rewarding career.

Work places are not the same, especially in industries like construction and mining. These industries often have special situations that call for specific skills, skills that are not always readily available in the general workforce. To cater to the needs of these workplaces, employers are often forced to recruit employees who are well suited to the situation, and to then train them in the specific skills required.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has a long history of working with employers to deliver training that meets these specific needs. Our training can be designed specifically for your work environment and the equipment or work required. We deliver training in areas such as:

• NCCCO Crane Operator Training, Testing and Certification
• OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person Training, Testing and Qualification
• NCCER Heavy Equipment Training, Testing and Qualification
• Class-A CDL Commercial Driver Training, Testing and Licensing

Our instructors are certified and they work from the latest in training methods, up-to-date curricula, and where necessary, to national accreditation standards. Training can be delivered on-site, or in our training facilities. Designing a training program to meet specific requirements can be challenging, however, our instructors are experienced and work closely with employers to ensure that training meets their needs, the regulatory requirements, and any specific requirements such as insurance.

If you require specialized training for your workplace, contact us to discuss your needs. Our long history of success (over 40 years) is based on customer satisfaction and industry relationships we have built. By working closely with industry, national accreditation organizations, and regulatory authorities, and we are able to deliver no matter how specialized your requirements.

General employment across the United States has been patchy over the last 12 months. Some sectors are definitely growing, and one of those sectors is the construction industry. This has led to an increase in demand for heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers. As these workers are drawn into the construction industry, the demand for these workers in non-construction areas increases.

This makes for a great environment for those looking to get a start as heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers. If you’re interested in a great well-paid career in any of these areas, contact us for more information on training. As an example, you can complete a heavy equipment training program in as little as three weeks and be ready to start your new career. Each week we publish job vacancies that have been listed on our job site. This week’s jobs include:

Crane Operator Job Vacancies

• San Jose, CA – The employer requires two certified Crane Operators.
• Tulsa, OK – Bridge Crane Operator: local Company in the Tulsa area is in immediate need of a Bridge Crane Operator.
• San Marcos, TX – Hiring tower crane operators
• Hamilton, TX – Hiring tower crane operators
• New Mexico – Hydraulic crane operator required for a seven-month project
• Anchorage, AK – Offshore Crane Operator and Riggers
• Driver – CDL – Crane/Boom: Requires a crane or boom operator certification. Operating a Boom or Crane.

Truck Driver Job Vacancies

• San Antonio, TX – Class A CDL drivers required – Home every night
• Nashville, TN – Class A CDL Truck Driver $1000 and home every week – Pays to $800-$1200.
• Kill Devil Hills, NC – Delivery Driver (CDL Class A) Full Time – Job Requirements Valid CDL
• Detroit, MI – CDL A Driver Hours: TBD (Full-Time) Pay: Pay by mile
• Fort Worth, TX – CDL Class A Regional Truck Drivers required
• Eagan, MN – The company is hiring new CDL-A drivers.
• Sun Prairie, WI – Brandon will be recruiting drivers for Swift Trans in the DDS Classroom on 09/04/2012 at 4 PM.
• Class A CDL Driver – HOME EVERY NIGHT! – SYSCO, Inc., 19.00 per hour.

Heavy Equipment Operator Job Vacancies

• Fargo, ND – The company hiring Heavy Equipment Operators, Starting at $20-$22/hr.
• All Round Operators Needed in WA.
• Production Excavator Operators EX2500+ experience essential.
• Mining, Oil & Gas – WA

If any of these jobs interest you then visit our jobs site for more information. Check back regularly as employers are regularly listing new job vacancies.