Completing a heavy equipment operator training course from a school is just the first step getting into this career; would it be great if the same school will also offer you a job?
Actually, it is one of the criteria when choosing a training provider which we highlighted in this article.
They have affiliations with many contractors and builders who are in constant pursuit looking for professionally trained operators like you which means the school can easily place you in a job.
Of course, it is not impossible to find one. With the list we’ve created below, we are sure you would find a training school that satisfies your requirement.
Here are the training schools that offer job placement assistance to their students:
- Heavy Equipment Colleges of America
306 Langford Lake Road, Bld # TR0403, Ft. Irwin, CA 92310, (800) 906-6012
1955 West 9th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411, (888) 314-8954
581 Sigman Road, Suite 300, Conyers, GA 30013, (888) 504-5208
6101 W. Reno Avenue, Suite 1000, Oklahoma City, OK 73127, (888) 616-5447
1909 Bragg Blvd, Suite 94, Fayetteville, NC 28303, (800) 514-9495
4701 McChord Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, (800) 536-1503 - National Training, Inc.
188 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065
5660 County Road 209 South Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone: (904) 272 – 4000; Fax: (904) 272 – 3036 - West Coast Training
3805 Dike Road, Woodland, WA 98674-9725
800.755.5477 (Toll Free), 360.225.6787 (Local), Fax: 360.225.6760 - Associated Training Services
7190 Elder Lane, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Tel: (800) 383-7364, Fax: (608) 825-6752 - Otter Training School Ltd. (OTS)
Administrative Office
206 - 20641 Logan Avenue,Langley, BC V3A 7R3
Phone: 604 . 533 . 0575 - Jones College
72 Technology Blvd. Box 1, Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: 601-477-4114 - Carolina Equipment Training
3720 S Wilmington ST, Raleigh NC 27603
919-329-0633 - Detroit Training Center
5151 Loraine St., Detroit MI
(313)-221-5876 - AIS Training Center
3600 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 517.321.8000, Fax: 517.321.9686 - Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba Inc.
244 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W1
Toll Free: 1-866-949-0333, Phone: (204) 775-7059, Fax: (204) 772-6041
Doesn't guarantee job placement, but students can be referred to their contacts - Canada Heavy Equipment College
1425 Bishop St. N Unit 6, Cambridge, Ontario
519-650-6040, Toll-free: 888-934-2432 (CHEC)
Gives employment assistance, doesn't guarantee placement
Other Requirements That Could Help You Get Employed
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) – This credential allows you to haul heavy vehicles to and from the job site or drive a mobile crane on the public roads. Many employers prefer to hire job candidates with such credentials. If you want to get an edge over other applicants, having a CDL is a must. In order to get a CDL license, it involves passing the practical and theoretical exams. If you want to increase your chance of passing the CDL exams, you can take a preparatory course at the same school where you are taking heavy equipment operation training.
- NCCER Certification – If you complete an NCCER certification, you are equipped with the knowledge and are meeting the industry requirements enhancing your opportunities. Your NCCER credentials are tracked in the registry allowing every employer to verify your qualifications as a professional operator. What does this mean to you is that you can prove your qualifications to a prospective employer if you’re a new hire. To apply, click this.
- NCCCO Certification – just like the NCCER certification, NCCCO certifications are for crane operators specifically. If you hold an NCCCO certificate, you are sought after by many contractors and employers, as this is what they’re looking for from a job candidate. Getting an NCCCO certification also involves passing series of tests. To learn more about NCCCO, follow this.
How to Get a Job If the School Fails to Provide You
- Networking with friends and colleagues – it is one of the powerful ways to get a lead because if you know someone inside the company, he can recommend you; or if you have a buddy who is working as a heavy equipment operator, maybe you could ask him if there are any vacancies in their company.
- Contact a training school - If you’ve been trained by a trade school or currently undergoing training, talk to them and ask for any contractor looking for qualified talents. The school has a network of employers in constant pursuit of trained operators just like you.
- Browse jobs classified ads online – there’s nothing more convenient to look for job vacancies than browsing the internet. You could cover a lot of ground searching for job openings matching your qualifications.
What are Your Future Employment Prospects
According to BLS, the demand and job prospects for this trade are expected to increase in the next coming years. The reasons behind this growth are economic stability as more and more schools, buildings, roads, homes to be constructed.
Another reason for the high demand is the scarcity of trained professionals as more and more people choose other careers as they want to work in a place where they more are comfortable and safe.
Many cities are teeming with infrastructures and the progress shows no sign of slowing down.
Having said this, expect there will be a constant requirement for operators like you now and in the coming future.
Conclusion
If you think an apprenticeship is difficult to get into, why not consider enrolling in the heavy equipment operator school? The school will teach you the fundamental skills and help you find a job.
With just a simple online search and networking with friends, you would not have a hard time finding a reputable school known for producing highly-skilled graduates and place them to employment that everyone desires.
Again, the school doesn’t give any assurance, it is still up to the students as to whether they will succeed or not. We wish you good luck!