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Job of a Heavy Equipment Operator

Working as a heavy equipment operator needs skill in the person who is doing the job. It is definitely not a cake walk for a person to first understand the complex function (though with time, there have been rampant technological changes that has led to simplify the functionalities and has made things quite easy for the operator) and then run the machine without doing a single mistake. The operator of the machine is well aware of the consequences that may happen if things go wrong from his hands. It may lead to some major casualty. But the important question is from where does one can get these brilliant operators and how can they test their ability to operate the machine efficiently.

We would be discussing in length about what kind of training one has to go through to operate heavy equipment that makes him a competent operator.

“Heavy Equipment Operators” are also known as “Operating Engineers” are required to clear their class room as well as hands on training where they are trained everything about the machine. The total duration of the course is around 4-5 years which includes vocational programs for 2 years and the rest is apprenticeship training of 3 years. In the apprenticeship, he gets to learn to work on multiple equipments and is also paid on-the job training. Let us now understand what kind of training one gets from classroom sessions and then from the practical ones.

Trainings received in the classroom:  The classroom sessions are considered to be the most critical part of the training. It is here that the students are introduced to their future and they learn every smallest thing in great detail. Special consideration is given to teach the safety measures to students and all have to adhere to it during their practical sessions. They are also taught about the utilities of each machine and are given assignments to complete pertaining to what they have learnt in the office. They are also told about engines but that is not taken in detail as the students need a practical training to understand the different features of an engine and what lubricants are needed to keep them moving.

Practical Training:  Once the students have completed their formal education to operate heavy equipment, they are moved to the next level which is to impart practical training and understand the machines they would be dealing with for their entire life. This is the phase that will decide how good an operator he would be. Here, the student would be taught to work on different form of machines. An experienced teacher would be with them throughout their journey of knowing the machines. Though, they won’t be asked to work on all the machines, the teacher would see which student is good in what sort of machine and accordingly, he would be helped in mastering that piece of steel.

If the student successfully completes the training, he has high chances of getting a job via campus interviews where he needs to put his ability on display and convince the interviewers that they can’t get anyone better than him. This is how the combination of classroom training and practical training has an impact on the student that helps him develop into a class heavy equipment operator.