Do you want to start a career being a heavy equipment operator in Utah or just want to improve your skill for the career you are already doing?
Well, there’s no better way to do that than to take professional training offered by a heavy equipment operator school in Utah.
Employers and contractors prefer those job candidates who have undergone such training, they are most likely to retain as well those operators with professional training.
Taking the training course would cost you a little amount of money and time. But the advantage of having it outweighs the investment you put in.
If you are looking for a training school or college where you can take the training, here are what you can find in Utah:
- Wheeler Machinery Co.
4901 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84120
Phone: 801-974-0511
They only offer equipment training to those existing clients who own and operate CAT equipment at their job site; provides Level I, II and III operator training. - Utah LTAP Center
4111 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4111
Phone: (435) 797-2918, Phone: (435) 797-2931; Fax: (435) 797-1582
Offers 2-day hands-on training, applicants must have completed a course before being accepted in the hands-on training - Bridgerland Technical College
Logan Campus - Main (Office)
1301 North 600 West, Logan, UT 84321
Toll Free: 866-701-1100; Local: 435-753-6780; TDD: 800-346-4128; Fax: 435-752-2016
If you have any questions, please contact: 35-753-6780 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - Utah State University
576 West 200 South, Blanding Utah 84511
Phone numbers: (435) 678-2201; (800) 395-2969; (435) 613-5207 - International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Utah Training Center, 8805 South Sandy Parkway, Sandy, UT 84070
Phone: 801-664-6934, Fax: 801-328-8113 - Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC)
6650 W 6200 S, West Valley City, UT 84118
Phone Number: 801-664-6934
Here Are Some Tips When Choosing an Operator Training School
Finding the right school can be a daunting task. It is a big decision to make if you want to take a heavy equipment course. If could make or break your career. There are some factors you need to consider when you make a decision:
- Find a training school with low tuition but with good quality training – I know that that cost of tuition is the first that comes into your mind when taking the training. Enrolling in a heavy equipment training course is not cheap. It could thousands of dollars. If you want to enroll in not-so-costly training, you may opt to take it from a community college – they do have inexpensive tuition.
- Find the one that is nearest to you – How far is the training school from your home and does travel distance matter to you? Does traveling requires you to have a car or will you be able to use public transportation? Just find a training school close to where you are.
- Enroll in a class with a small number of students – Class size matters when taking the course. You will learn better in a class with a small number of participants. You will have one-on-one time with the instructor during practical training of the course - the most significant part of the training where you can absorb the practical skill and hands-on experience.
- Go to a training school with modern equipment – You would want to operate a bulldozer or an excavator or any piece of equipment that is rusty and out-of-date, would you? Make sure that the school where you are planning to take training has such a modern facility and heavy equipment. Ask consent from them if you could visit their training ground and observe what equipment they use in the training.
- Choose the one with job placement assistance – job placement is another help the school can afford to you. The school can refer you to a company or contractor needing talents like you. T
You may review each of the factors and understand the ones that are most significant to you.
How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
- Come up with a decision if this occupation is the one you want to do in the long term – know yourself, your likes/dislikes and even your values; are these in line with the nature of the job of being a heavy equipment operator? Do you enjoy working outdoors with heavy machines? Do you like maintaining and repairing these machines? If you base your decision on how much you would get from this job, then you would not last long doing this type of work. Find a job that matches your interest and everything will follow such as satisfaction and wealth.
- Take the heavy equipment operator training course – Know your skill level for you to be able to assess what course you need to take. If you are entry-level, the basic one is what you need, this is a requirement when you want to take a more advanced training course. You take heavy equipment operator training by enrolling in a course offered by a technical school or community college, the list of schools is above, for your reference.
- Earn the necessary certifications and licenses – to increase your chance of getting hired and improve your marketability, you need to earn NCCER certification and have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). These two are what the employers are looking for from a job candidate. Obtaining an NCCER certification requires you to pass a written exam and practical test in heavy equipment operation. While the CDL may require you to take a separate course specifically for commercial vehicle driving. The investment you will put it obtaining these certifications can be recuperated easily because you are more likely to be offered higher pay as a heavy equipment operator if you have these.
- Take the apprenticeship program or on-the-job training – This is another path you can take if you would like to expand your knowledge and experience operating heavy equipment. You can apply to be an apprentice in JATC or in IUOE (see above the contact info if you want to inquire). You will be able to learn to operate many types of equipment. Being an apprentice is an opportunity to learn the trade while you’re earning.
What Requirements You Need to be an Operator
- You need to be a high school graduate or in possession of a GED certificate as its equivalent
- You need to be at least 18 years old to take the training and to get employed as a heavy equipment operator
- You need to have an initial training certificate where you can earn by enrolling in a course offered by a technical school or community college in Utah.
- You need to be in possession of the NCCER certificate and/or commercial driver’s license (CDL) to increase your chance of getting employed. NCCER certificate proves that you’ve undergone an industry-standard certification making you qualified for the job while the CDL allows you to operate/drive vehicles such as dump trucks and trailers on the public road. Both are necessary to get a job.
- Completion of an apprenticeship program can be a big edge as well. This proves that you’ve undergone a 3-year program exposing you to many “ins and outs” of the job. Completing this program can solidify your application when you’re applying for a job and you can also get a higher offer than those without.
Salary of Heavy Equipment Operators Working in Utah
After those efforts you put in, you might be asking, how much you would make being a heavy equipment operator in Utah?
According to the latest report of Salary.com, as of March 28, 2023, the average salary of heavy equipment operators in UT is $66,371 but it ranges from $55,501 to $75,294 depending on some factors.
Here are the cities and towns of Utah that compensate well:
Alton | $66,815 | -- | Oakley | $66,926 |
Bingham Canyon | $66,839 | Orderville | $66,815 | |
Bountiful | $67,204 | Pine Valley | $70,159 | |
Centerville | $67,083 | Rockville | $70,159 | |
Draper | $66,718 | Saint George | $70,159 | |
Duck Creek Village | $66,815 | Salt Lake City | $67,204 | |
Enterprise | $70,159 | South Jordan | $66,900 | |
Glendale | $66,815 | Toquerville | $70,159 | |
Gunlock | $70,159 | Veyo | $70,159 | |
Ivins | $70,159 | West Jordan | $66,691 | |
Leeds | $70,159 | Woods Cross | $67,204 | |
Magna | $67,143 | Willard | $64,898 | |
Midvale | $67,143 | Woodruff | $63,988 |
.
If you will work in Colorado, one of the neighboring states, the wage is higher.
Many factors affect how much you can receive such as the city or town where you are working, the length of experience in the job, the certification and qualifications relevant for the job, and other additional skills you can use for the job.
You can expect a flourishing career in this profession. The demand for heavy equipment operators is expected to grow until the year 2026. With the influence of the continuous growing and sprouting of construction projects in this state, you can look forward to having a good future being an operator.
To Wrap This Up
There’s no better way to get into this career than by taking the training. Find a heavy equipment operator school in Utah where you want to take a course at. The school will teach you everything you need to know.
You just have to exert some effort and put in a little investment, you can be assured of a job that could give you not only satisfaction but good money as well.
Being a heavy equipment operator gives you a route toward stable employment, a better salary, and good opportunity that you had a hard time getting from your previous careers.
We wish you good luck on your journey!
Cities and Towns of UT
Tremonton, Hyrum, Bluffdale, Park, Richfield, Hooper, Providence, Ivins, Salem, Ephraim, South, Weber, Roosevelt, Santa, Clara, Farr, West, Enoch, Harrisville, Plain, Nibley, Nephi,Salt Lake City, West, Valley, Provo, West, Jordan, Orem, Sandy, Ogden, St., George, Layton, Taylorsville, South, Jordan, Logan, Lehi, Murray, Bountiful, Draper, Riverton, Roy, Spanish, Fork, Pleasant, Grove, Cottonwood, Heights, Tooele, Clearfield, Springville, Cedar, Midvale, Kaysville, Holladay, American, Fork, Syracuse, South, Herriman, Eagle, Mountain, Clinton, Washington, Mount, Pleasant, Beaver, Parowan, Hildale, Salina, Richmond, Elk, Ridge, Fillmore, Garland, Monroe, Helper, Huntington, Monticello, Millville, Kamas, Willard, Lewiston, Naples, River, Heights, Enterprise, Marriott-Slaterville, Duchesne, Wellington, Castle, Dale, Ferron,, Mona, Panguitch, Payson, Farmington, Brigham, Saratoga, Springs, North, Ogden, South, Ogden, North, Highland, Centerville, Hurricane, Heber, West, Haven, Lindon, Cedar, Hills, Woods, Cross, Alpine, West, Point, Smithfield,