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A heavy equipment operator needs to operate complex Heavy Equipment for various construction and mining projects in the building site. They need to undertake comprehensive and in-depth formal training in order to be skilful and dexterous in this field. Read this article carefully to learn if you are a heavy equipment operator.
Apprentice programs
Generally the heavy equipment operators start their career as apprentice or trainee. The apprenticeship training is given at various technical colleges and trade unions. Also post secondary institutions as well as professional associations are available. The technical and community colleges offer programs that are accredited by National Joint Apprentice and Training Committee and approved by state labour departments. The eligibility of the students enrolling for this course has to be 18 years of age and must have a driving license. The driving licence is required since sometimes the heavy equipment needs to be operated on roads. The duration of the courses span up to 4 years. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics the students undertaking the apprenticeship programs have better chances of landing jobs, as they are well equipped and have comprehensive knowledge about varieties of heavy equipments than the college goers.
Classroom Job Training
In the classroom job training students wanting to become heavy equipment operators are given education on safety processes and policies. The safety procedures include operation of safety equipments as well as pre functioning process. The courses thoroughly comply with guidelines laid by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The courses also give emphasis on eliminating hazardous wastes.
Among other popular courses heavy equipment protection and repairing them. Operators are given training on greasing machine parts or joining machine parts by soldering or welding.
Practical Training
Like other professional courses practical training is very important for the heavy equipment operators to hold them in good stead and prepare them for a bright career ahead. Here they are given training on the application of the heavy equipment such as landscaping and grading a site using tractors or bulldozers.
Extra Requirements:
Operator’s need to have a commercial driver’s licence(CDL) since they sometimes will have to transport the equipments from one place to another in the construction sites.
Career Prospects:
Graduates can find lucrative careers as operators in pipeline operations, CPR and waste operations. They can also peruse their career as trouble-shooters or equipment repairer.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics has divulged that the average salary per annum for operating engineers is high and lucrative. Some years ago the highest -paying business organisations asked these heavy equipment workers to perform support activities for road shipping, scientific investigation services, health and surgical infirmaries, and generation of electricity. Each of these workers or operators was remunerated a per annum average salary of $58,500 or in excess of that.
The BLS predicts that employment prospects for construction heavy equipment operators will be enhanced by 19% between the year of 2012 and 2022. Operators accessible to work in urban areas with technical know-how are expected to be the most benefitted ones with bright employment prospects. The operator who knows to operate more than one heavy equipment is also believed to have optimistic career.
So if you are planning to become a heavy equipment operator undergo some practical training. It will prepare you for a bright and lucrative career ahead. With increase in construction projects it has already become a popular career option among many and in future it is likely to grow as well.
