If you want a successful career as a heavy equipment operator, then I suggest you steer clear of being a one act pony. Employers are increasingly looking for heavy equipment operators who are multi-skilled. It’s not just across the heavy equipment range either. Employers are looking for operators who can drive trucks and on occasion operate cranes. The question becomes now – are you a multi-skilled heavy equipment operator, multi-skilled truck driver, or multi-skilled crane operator?

You may think I am being pedantic in those titles, however, your description will depend on what your primary job is. The job listings from last weekend included vacancies for multi-skilled crane operators, and multi-skilled heavy equipment operators. The demand is there, and if you have a range of skills, then you are going to be more employable.

For most people who are just entering the heavy equipment industry, learning to operate a variety of machinery is a must. Whilst you may have a preference for one type, don’t just focus on that one type. By all means seek a career operating your choice of equipment, however, if given the opportunity, keep your skills up on as many different machines as possible. Demand for heavy equipment operators runs in cycles – one month there will be a demand for bulldozer operators, next month it could be excavators, or grader operators, you need to be prepared for all opportunities that come your way.

The training program at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools is to provide access to a wide range of machinery. As a student, you will have the opportunity to learn how to operate these machines and to gain valuable practical time in the operator’s seat. At a later date it may be advisable to look at either truck driving (obtaining a CDL) or crane operator certification (or both) – this will expand your employment opportunities and perhaps even your paycheck.

Work places have become quite tricky when it comes to following OSHA guidelines. In many jobs, your primary role may be very easily defined, however, it’s your secondary tasks that could cause confusion – and problems if you’re not very careful. Truck driving is one job where problems could arise.

Truck drivers that deliver pallet loads of building bricks to construction sites are often required to use a small crane boom that is attached to the truck. Rather than being a truck driver, they are now crane operators, and as such they require all the crane operator training and certifications that full-time crane operator receive. Small cranes, even those attached to the back of delivery trucks, require skills that go above and beyond those of a truck driver.

Small crane operators still need to assess the load, stabilize their vehicle, and ensure the load is moved safely and in accordance with crane operator guidelines – hence the requirement for certification as a crane operator. The upside for truck drivers who are certified to operate a crane is that they have a secondary occupation they can fall back on if times are tough in the trucking industry – not that there’s any likelihood of that in the foreseeable future.

If you have a commercial drivers license and you want to extend your skills base, consider crane operator training. If there is always a demand for truck drivers who are multi-skilled, another example being truck drivers who can also drive heavy equipment on and off flat bed trailers. You can learn these skills in less than a month and they will provide a lifetime of employment opportunities.

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.

Associated Training Services has been very successful in the training of students in different areas of study for years. Students can train to be a heavy equipment operator or even a truck driver. Obtaining a CDL in order to become a driver is something that can happen along with the training on safety.
The training program for truck driving at ATS is huge and has a lot of history. This course can take just 2 or 4 weeks to complete. It is a great course to consider because you end up working in no time. There is such a demand for good and qualified truck drivers that graduates have no problems getting a job.
.At ATS, we instruct students with the help of the machines. Hands on learning is the best way to help operators learn about all of the machines and so on. This goes for the same with the truck driver. Students are encouraged to get right into the driver’s seat and get familiar right away.
The truck driving industry is one of the highest paying jobs around. With all of the demand currently, it is job security. The program at ATS has classroom teaching as well. Learning all about safety precautions, regulations and preparing for the CDL test will all be completed.
If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, simply sign up for our program. You will be on the road before you know it and making a great income.

Dump truck drivers can generally find work all year round. In from spring through to fall there’s a lot of construction work across the country whilst in winter northern drivers are employed in a range of activities including snow and ice control (carting salt, for example). In the south, construction continues through winter, there’s hardly any let up at all. Some dump truck drivers have the best of both worlds – they spend their summer months in the milder northern regions and their winter months further south.

There is a shortage of truck drivers in general across the country, and that included dump truck driving. One of the disadvantages to sticking with just the one truck type is the competition, especially in winter. Some truck drivers opt for dump trucks because the work is local and they are able to spend more time with their families. Having said that, if you build up a good reputation as a dump truck driver, you’ll always be in work.

Driving a dump truck takes a different set of skills compared to most other trucks. The vehicle you’re driving tends to be shorter than most trucks, however, it can carry a lot of weight for its size. A dump truck driver will also need to learn dumping skills, and these can sometimes be quite tricky and require precision.

You can learn to become a dump truck driver in just a few weeks. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have a proud truck driver training record that goes back 50 years. To survive this long, we have had to deliver truck driver training to industry standards. This means our graduates are ready to start work the moment they acquire their commercial drivers license.

If you are looking for a job in the fields of heavy equipment operations, truck driving, or crane operations, then our dedicated jobs site is the perfect place to start your search. You can check daily, or every couple of days, or you can drop by here every Saturday to see what jobs have been on offer.

This week’s jobs include:

Equipment Operator
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Operator required by an employer in Fort Lauderdale

Tanker Drivers
Wafford, ND
Employer is looking to hire tanker drivers for oilfield work. Need tanker and hazmat endorsements.

Mobile Crane Operator
Darien, WI
Employer requires a 60 Ton Mobile Crane operator.

Heavy Equipment Operators
Cooper City, FL
Hiring Heavy Equip Operators. Must live in area. Pipe laying, Utilities, Demo work.

Heavy Equipment Operators
Cheyenne, WY
Contractors is hiring Heavy Equipment Operators now.

During March, we had a wide range of jobs listed, these included:

Equipment Operator/CDL Driver
Milwaukee, WI
Looking for an Equipment Operator/CDL Driver. This is full time and NOT just seasonal employment! For landscape construction and maintenance for residential and commercial clients.

Heavy Equipment Operators with a (CDL) Commercial Drivers
Pennsylvania
Client is currently looking for Heavy Equipment Operators with a (CDL) Commercial Drivers License! We will train qualified candidates in oil well cementing and acidizing services. We have several openings across the United States.

Heavy Equipment Operator
Moorhead, MN
Position Summary:
Performs overhead and underground line construction duties, as directed by the Field Superintendent. All operators are required to help out when and where necessary – with operation of other equipment and/or manual labor.

Equipment Operator
Bostwick, FL
Do you have a passion for operating heavy equipment? As an Equipment Operator you will operate heavy equipment while adhering to safety policies and procedures. Have fun at work while being safe. This position will operate various heavy equipment, such as front-end loaders, knuckle booms, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and all-terrain forklifts, in a rugged 50+ acre outdoor, paved and unpaved environment.

Heavy Equipment Operator -Finish
Fayetteville, AR
Do you want to work for a company that values your skills? Do you want to work for a company that values safety above all else? Are you looking for opportunities and benefits of a large corporation with a small company feel? Apply for the Equipment Operator today and jumpstart your career.

And that is just a small sampling of the types of jobs that come through our jobs listing website. We also offer quality training in the fields of heavy equipment operations, truck driving and crane operations.

Looking for heavy equipment operator with CDL. Looking for excavator operator with CDL. Looking for bulldozer operator with CDL. Do these types of heavy equipment job ads frustrate you? There are thousands of heavy equipment operators who have a wide range of experiences to bring to employers, yet they lack that one important qualification – a CDL.

Employers are becoming more cost conscious these days and one of the biggest costs associated with any business is that of labor. If a business can employ workers who are multi-skilled, they can get by with fewer employee numbers, and that means lower costs. Lower costs also open the door for more tenders, and that means job security for those who are employed.

If you are a heavy equipment operator with several years experience, then you will find that you are in high demand – if you have a commercial drivers license. Employers can send you out on a job – you take your equipment out to the job site, do the job, then return, or move onto the next job site. For the employer, that’s one person doing the job of two.

Adding a CDL is a cost effective way to improve your job opportunities. It also adds a little variety to your working life. You can learn to drive a heavy equipment transport truck in as little as three weeks. This will give you the skills and knowledge required to pass your commercial drivers license tests, and to be issued with a CDL. This is effectively a license for life, the only ongoing requirement is to follow the road rules (and not have your license suspended), and to remain reasonably healthy – you will need to undergo regular health check.

Instead of becoming frustrated by those job ads, add a CDL to your skills set – you’ll no longer find those job ads frustrating.

With summer approaching, construction companies are starting to ramp up their employment numbers. There is already a lot work available restoring roads damaged through snow and ice – a regular task in many areas come spring. The trend is still strong for operators who are multi-skilled, especially across a range of heavy equipment, trucks or cranes. If you have any holes in your heavy equipment skills list, contact us to see if we can help you to fill those skill deficiencies.

Equipment Operator
Bostwick, FL
Do you have a passion for operating heavy equipment? As an Equipment Operator you will operate heavy equipment while adhering to safety policies and procedures. Have fun at work while being safe. This position will operate various heavy equipment, such as front-end loaders, knuckle booms, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and all-terrain forklifts, in a rugged 50+ acre outdoor, paved and unpaved environment.

Equipment Operator
Oregon
One seasonal full-time position from middle of June through September. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for this position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

Mobile Equipment Operator 1 Heavy
Greensburg, LA
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Two years of experience or training in the operation of mobile equipment.

Heavy Equipment Operator -Finish
Fayetteville, AR
Do you want to work for a company that values your skills? Do you want to work for a company that values safety above all else? Are you looking for opportunities and benefits of a large corporation with a small company feel? Apply for the Equipment Operator today and jumpstart your career.

Heavy Equipment Operators
Hancock, MN
Excavating, Road Building, Demolition.

For more information on these jobs, or any new heavy equipment job listings, visit our jobs website.

There are a lot of job opportunities listed on our job site this week. Below are short descriptions of each. If you’re interested in one of these positions, feel free to visit our job site for more information and how to apply. The first listing is a special listing for veterans and is well worth looking at if you’re a veteran looking for work as a truck driver or heavy equipment operator.

Truck Drivers and Heavy Equipment Operators – Sidney, ND
Veterans wanted in N. Dakota. Lloyd Wynn, Washington DC has secured housing in Sidney, ND for drivers and equipment operators. Please call 703-946-0986

Truck Driver with Hazmat – Milwaukee, WI
Local driver with Hazmat CDL required. Home every night. Med, Dental,

Heavy Equipment Operators, Laborers and a Plant Manager – Bloomer, WI

Boom Truck Operator – CDL Delivery Driver – Morgantown, WV
Pull, load, and deliver customer purchases in a friendly, timely, safe and efficient manner. Greet and acknowledge all customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service. Responsible for all other duties as assigned. Must have valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Requires morning, afternoon and evening availability any day of the week.

Equipment Operator II – Miami County, KS
Responsibilities: This is a non-exempt position operating a variety of heavy equipment requiring a great degree of skill in performing a variety of job assignments. This employee performs tasks related to road and bridge maintenance and construction and works under general supervision with work reviewed for results achieved.

Construction Equipment Operator 2 – West Chester, PA
Participate in project completion through operation of medium duty heavy equipment e.g. loaders, backhoes, trackhoes, forklifts, etc. and assistance to the site Managers on lesser tasks. When not operating equipment, participate in general labor tasks. The individual’s degree of involvement is dependent on his/hers experience and capabilities. Perform related responsibilities as assigned.

Equipment Operator – North Carolina
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; traffic laws, regulations, equipment operation, knowledge of the principles and practices of operating and servicing medium size equipment, working knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to operate large equipment in heavy traffic and in restricted airfield areas, and knowledge of FAA rules.

Equipment Operator – Carlin, NV
Semi-skilled employees who operate at least one piece of heavy equipment such as loaders, scrapers, excavators and rubber-tired dozers. Employees will work under minimal supervision in environments where the primary objective is safe production.

Crane Operator – Mexico, MO
Operates hydraulic, electric and friction cranes to unload and backload heavy loads (supplies, equipment and personnel to and from vessels). Moves drill pipe when necessary.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Greencastle, IN
Ability to safely and effectively operate the equipment while assessing the surroundings (trucks, people, type of waste, surface grade, etc.). Must be able to operate at least three of the following: crawler tractor, scraper, articulated dump truck, back hoe, motor grader and trash or dirt compactor. Understands proper operation for equipment, gauges and their proper operating ranges. Adequate dexterity and reflexes for pushing/pulling.

Support Equipment Operator II – Empire, CO
Operations include both primary and byproduct molybdenum mines, integrated global operations, and local customer care. We provide our worldwide partners with the most reliable supply and highest quality molybdenum and rhenium products.

Support Equipment Operator I – Mine Operations – Bagdad, AZ
Performs duties related to the operation of heavy equipment in support of production including de-watering, materials delivery, maintaining berms, and surface maintenance at a skilled level.

Heavy Equipment Operators – Carrollton, KY
ASAP opening for Heavy Equipment Operators with 2 to 5 years experience.

Engineering Equipment Operator (Fire Dozer Operator) – Elko, NV
Seeking a dynamic and energetic individual.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Apex, NC
An employee in this class performs a variety of skilled equipment operation tasks operating heavy equipment for construction, maintenance and repair of utility lines and related appendices. Works involves operating heavy equipment such as backhoes in situations requiring skill and care to dig around underground and overhead utility lines, near traffic and in other tight places. When not operating equipment, the employee assists other crew members in building, repairing and replacing.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Seguin, TX
A leading provider of services to steel companies throughout the United States and Canada, has an opening for a Heavy Equipment Operator at our job site.

Heavy Equipment Operator Crane – Minneapolis, MN

Driver – CDL – Crane/Boom – Zimmerman, MN
Under moderate supervision, drives delivery vehicle to transport materials to location or production site that requires the operation of a crane or boom in the loading and off loading of materials. Operates crane or boom on delivery truck, including rigging, planning and hoisting of a variety of heavy construction materials.

Equipment Operator/Off Road Truck Driver – Black Hawk, MS

Heavy Equipment Operator – Streets – Victoria, TX
Operates heavy maintenance and construction equipment and assists the work of a crew who constructs, maintains and repairs streets and storm drainage systems. Knowledge of proper equipment used in the repair and maintenance of streets and storm drainage systems.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Baltimore, MD
$15k relocation incentive available for qualified applicants. Operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers, skid steers, front-end loaders and excavators. Relocation allowance offered for qualified candidates.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Orlando, FL
Performs skilled work in the operation of complex construction maintenance equipment, Performs tasks of more than average difficulty involving the safe operation and routine maintenance of assigned equipment.

Some of these positions require multi-skilled operators. If you have an skill gaps, check out our heavy equipment training website. We can help you quickly fill those gaps ready for multi-skilled employment.

Many children have fantasized about becoming a truck driver when they grow up, but lately, fewer are actually doing it. Some studies actually say that US trucking companies are short 20,000 truck drivers! This is a result of many long haul drivers retiring and a lack of new truckers joining the ranks. Needless to say, now is a great time to enter a great truck driver training program and earn a CDL license.

Long haul trucking is a great way to see the country and meet new and interesting people. It is also a great way to make a living in these rough economic times. There is currently a high demand in many areas for long haul truckers, and when demand is high, wages tend to improve. A good truck driving school can have a long haul driver on the road with a CDL in hand in less than a month.

Truck driver training at a reputable school will generally take around three weeks depending on the state regulations where the CDL test will be taken. The training itself will include a combination of classroom training and behind the wheel training. The classroom work consists mainly of the basics, safety, rules and regulations mandated by the Department of Transportation. The behind-the-wheel training should include open road driving, backing exercises and pre-trip inspections. With proper training, all of these skills will become second nature to the driver and result in a safe operator that trucking firms will be looking to hire.

An additional thing that should be part of any truck driver training program is career services. Ensure that the training company chosen will give assistance in job placement and that they are successful at this. Many training schools will have established relationships with trucking firms, and the best schools will know what these firm are looking for in a new truck driver. These schools can then focus their training to these current demands in the trucking industry.

In our current troubled economy, jobs may seem hard to come by in many industries. But, the trucking industry continues to grow, and at the same time, lose people to retirement. Now is a great time to get the training required for a CDL and hit the open road.