As long as there are roads and bridges that need to be built, as long as construction crews follow the plans of an architect and build skyscrapers, shopping malls, apartment buildings, and single-family dwellings, and as long as people continue to accumulate waste that needs to be dumped, there will be a need for heavy equipment operators.

The heavy equipment operation profession is one of the most ubiquitous and necessary professions in the world. From hauling dirt to loading barges with huge crates and for overseas transport, heavy equipment operators are the backbone of the world economy. And the range of equipment you can be trained on to make the world go around is astoundingly huge. Here are just a few of the types of equipment that employers need qualified personnel for right now;

• Mobile cranes
• Forklifts
• Wheel Loaders
• Backhoes
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Road graders
• Skid steers
• Dump trucks
• And more.

Each of these types of heavy equipment has larger and smaller versions of it and needs an expert driver to maneuver depending on the job at hand. The best way to get trained on this equipment is to take a heavy equipment operator training course.

Some heavy equipment, such as mobile cranes, require a special certification. You can get that certification through rigorous training, as well.

Truck drivers can be short-haul or long-haul. If you’re going to be a truck driver, either way, then you need a commercial driver’s license. Once you have your CDL, you’ll be qualified to work for any employer who hires truck drivers, long haul or short haul, anywhere in the U.S. Why not start your training today?

In truth, there is only one kind of mobile crane operator–a trained one. But there are 4 main types of mobile cranes that a trained operator may work on. These mobile cranes are known as:

1. Fixed cab – The cab is that part of the crane where the driver sits. In a fixed cab crane, the driver is stationary because the cab doesn’t move. The crane operator is always looking forward.
2. Swing cab – The swing cab swivels. It allows the driver to turn to see what is behind him more easily. A swing cab mobile crane is handy on some construction sites because of the nature of the work. If you do a lot of maneuvering and moving in the crane, forward and back, and with a 360-degree awareness scenario, the swing cab crane is a mighty handy tool.
3. Lattice boom – The boom is that part of a crane that does the heavy lifting. It is the arm of the crane that can raise high above the cab and is used for lifting items off the ground. In a lattice boom crane, the lifting is usually done in a straight up-and-down movement.
4. Hydraulic boom – Also called telescopic boom cranes, these creatures are very flexible. The boom is maneuverable in multiple directions simultaneously. It can raise up and down like a lattice boom, but the arm can also be extended and retracted. On top of that, the boom can rotate left or right.

Interested in being a mobile crane operator? Learn how to operate all four types of cranes.

Sometimes an employer needs specialized training for their employees. Associated Training Services is capable of providing that training on-site or at our location.

Since 1959, ATS has been training truck drivers and heavy machine operators on a variety of equipment. Our reputation is based on our long-standing success in delivering this training and meeting the needs of employers in the industry. We provide skills-oriented training for employers in the following areas:

• 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

Employer-specific specialized training can take place in a number of ways. Our training programs include training on backhoes, bulldozers, wheel loaders, excavators, scrapers, articulated dump trucks, motor graders, all-terrain forklifts, mobile hydraulic cranes, lattice boom cranes, articulated boom cranes, and commercial motor vehicles. We also provide CDL testing for employees who want to become truck drivers. This training can be rolled into your employer-specific specialized training curriculum.

In essence, ATS builds a curriculum around your employee’s needs. Our training initiatives are designed to improve their skill levels while meeting your needs as employer.

For more information about the ATS Employer-Specific Specialized Training package, visit our website.