We are in the midst of Winter 2020 and we are probably wondering what the economic outlook is for the U.S. throughout the year that lies ahead. According to Investopedia, the year ahead will continue with a hot trend, but it will not be blazing. This is because many companies received 2017 tax breaks, but those have now worn off and the U.S. – China trade war is on the path to being resolved.

Experts believe that the global economy will show signs of improvement, and although the growth of China has slowed it is still growing at a rate of more than 6 percent, which shows that the Chinese government is still working to keep up a steady pace. The economies of those neighboring China are expected to grow thanks to the slowing trade war and lower interest rates.

What Are The Chances Of Recession?

Financial experts don’t think a recession is likely in 2020 because all the leading economic indicators still have some power on standby. While industrial production and manufacturing have slowed, the resolution of the trade war with China will help boost corporate confidence. The U.S. consumer sees a healthy job market, lowered gas prices, and low inflation, and with economic expansions thriving, there is still a strong financial foundation for the year ahead.

Outside the U.S., though, there are some areas that are not as financially stable. For example, Germany is nearing a recession and if that does happen, it can affect the Eurozone and cause it to be pulled down. On the other hand, the U.S. jobs market is expected to stay strong, but it may not be quite as strong as it was in the last few years. Healthcare and services remain on solid ground and will keep the economy standing strong.

If you can drive a dump truck, there is winter work available right now for those skilled drivers. This is because a dump truck chassis is the base of many winter service vehicles, so the ability to operate the truck through all the variables of the job is a valued ability indeed. Since there is a lot of load shifting and the truck is generally pretty heavy, it takes skill to do the precise maneuvers necessary in snow removal.

Dump truck drivers aren’t just taking a load from one point to the next, that load is literally dumped by tipping the truck bed and that changes the center of gravity. You could be doing some spreading of the load, too — gradually losing a little bit of your pile of salt or grit by using an attached tool to spin it out or by opening the bottom of your gate as you tip the bed. Either way, it takes skill.

“Only Skilled Drivers Need Apply”

Most of the ads and signage you’ll see telling the public that CDL drivers are needed will say that “only skilled drivers need to apply.” What that means is they don’t want to mess around training somebody to do the job because they want the work done immediately.

Where do dump truck drivers get those skills? at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School. You can learn to be a dump truck driver in just a few weeks, and your training will include more than just driving a dump truck. The skills you get at ATS enable you to get a job as soon as you graduate because employers know and respect our reputation.

As the winter season hits, heavy equipment operators in various parts of the country have opportunities to do some incredibly important service to the community. Whether you act as a volunteer or pick up some part-time income, dealing with storm damage is something that not everyone can do.

Storm Prep And Cleanup Are Needed

In some areas, crews are out trimming trees away from power lines in the hope that this year won’t be quite as catastrophic as the previous winter outages were for the region. Out west, snow has already closed some mountain roads and plows are out. It takes a skilled operator to maneuver big machinery in treacherous conditions because the operator must be completely familiar with the way their machine responds.

An experienced heavy equipment operator is one of the most important workers in the challenges of storm damage cleanup, and those who have the certifications and skills to provide these essential services will be deeply appreciated. Much of the estimated cost in a storm’s aftermath is the pay that the crews get to put things back the way they need to be.

Be Ready To Respond In Any Season

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School is one of the best in the business. We have a solid reputation for providing the training that gives our graduates a competitive edge in their industry. Because our heavy equipment operation programs include experience at the controls of many different types of equipment, it’s not difficult to find ways to put that experience to work.

Did you think that heavy equipment operators only work in the summer? Wrong! They work all year round.

It’s true that many construction and highway workers can get laid off during the winter months, but if you are willing to work in the winter, there’s a lot of work available. Every parking lot, and street, that gets snowed on will need to be plowed, right? Even if you aren’t working for the Highway Department, there will often be part-time work available with organizations that need a reliable person to keep their pavement clear.

But it isn’t just plowing snow that’s required, because there’s a lot more to getting roads and parking areas clear than plowing. If you have your CDL, some experience, and are willing to obtain a Tanker endorsement you could drive a truck that carries chemicals for de-icing. Operators are needed for rollers, tractors, front-loaders, hi-lifts, and more. It all depends on the area and what the weather is like in the winter.

A lot of material is needed for salt trucks and spreaders, so a lot gets loaded and moved to various strategic points. Ice storms come through and make opportunity for tree removal jobs or disaster cleanup. Winter weather causes big problems and it takes big machinery to keep things moving along.

Getting trained as a heavy equipment operator now means you’ll be ready when the snow flies, even if you have been laid off from your regular job. It’s a good backup plan, but it’s also a good career path because heavy equipment operators really do have work all year long.