Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy equipment training is a specialized field of education that deals with training people in the use of heavy equipment like bulldozers, backhoes, forklifts and excavators. In fact, people wrongly assume that a heavy equipment operator does not need much training to operate heavy equipment, this is not true. The truth is, each heavy equipment operator has to go through a series of specialized courses to get certified to operate heavy equipment. As a matter of fact, even equipment that people consider ‘safe’ to operate like fork lifts, require specialized training and certification. Just like a driving test, a heavy equipment operator has to clear both written and practical tests before he is certified to operate heavy equipment.
A person can choose from a variety of training institutes before he applies for certification with major organizations like NCCER (National Centre for Construction Education & Research). Only after being certified by organizations like NCCER can an individual begin to operate heavy equipment. Different companies, recognise certifications from different organizations and centres. However one of the major organizations for heavy equipment certification is NCCER. Usually companies have a list of training institutes they recognize as certified centres for heavy equipment operator training; as a matter of fact there are only a handful of institutes like Associated Training Services Inc. that are certified as an eligible training provider under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
Contrary to popular belief there is no ‘one size fits all’ course available for heavy equipment training, there are three major training courses available for heavy equipment training.
Heavy Equipment Operation Level I
This is the primary level of heavy equipment operator training; Level I is a foundation course for further courses. An operator learns basic safety requirements, the rules and regulations that need to be followed under US law. Once the level I course is complete a person is eligible to operate dump trucks, tractors, loaders, and backhoes.
Heavy Equipment Operation Level II
Only people that have cleared the level I course, or have cleared an equivalent course are eligible for level II training. Level II training includes, a refresher of all Level I courses, earth moving training, and civil blue print reading. Basically designed for more commercial construction oriented equipment, an operator clearing Level II training is eligible to operate bulldozers, rollers, forklifts and scrapers. Separate courses that allow operators to be certified in fork lift operation are also available; currently these courses are not as widely accepted.
Heavy Equipment Operation Level III
Once an operator has cleared levels I and II courses, he can then apply for an advanced certification by clearing level III. The level III course is the most comprehensive in terms of real world training and involves training an operator in real world concepts like advanced safety procedures, industrial and leadership training, real world project planning and project completion skills. People that finish level III training are certified to operate complex heavy equipment like excavators. Heavy equipment operators that have cleared level III training are highly sought after not just for their operating skills, but also for their leadership and management skills.

If you have no idea where to begin your search for a training institute, then a good place to start is your employer. Speak to your employer and ask him how you can upgrade your current skill set to include heavy equipment operating. Chances are your company already has a tie up with a training institute and you may be able to get corporate discounts. In addition you can also use the internet and find training institutes that offer heavy equipment training. Also make sure you pay a visit to www.equipment-school.com. Associated Training Services Inc. is currently certified as an eligible training provider under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in most states, so the probability of your certification being accepted by a large number of organizations is high.

Article Source: http://blisspublisher.com

Christopher Hartwell is the author of this article on Heavy Equipment Operator School. Find more information about Heavy Equipment Operator School here.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated