Heavy Equipment Operator

Neal in Gillette, Wyoming said: Yes but there open pit mined Wyoming is one of the biggest coal mine in the usa
avg pay is about 28 a hr to start

also we produce alot of oil and gas

Neal,

How difficult is it to get hired on with one of these open pit mines, do they want alot of experience on equipment? There is
nothing more than I would like to do than to drive a loader for
such an operation.

You see the pic in the paper? there 350 ton shovel buckets not loaders! Only thing i can say when you see a ad in the paper Fax your app in sometimes it can take weeks or sometimes days Depends on how much output they have to do Also you only work 15 days a month split shifts Besides that there alot more work here then anyplace in the country right now Drm is the company i work for they have about 160 employes and looking for more all the time

Hey Neal,

Thanks for all your information, I really do appreciate it....I will keep my eye out for any postings with your company.

Have a good night.

Neal,
I spoke to you awhile ago about working for DRM, I called and sent them a resume, just wondering how long it takes for them to respond if they are interested?

Might take a couple weeks or more its going into winter here and there cutting the fat

Thanks, hope to hear from them.

Dan E in El Cajon, California said: whats up brett bradburry

live in san diego 2 was looking at going to this school but glad i found this website. what was the name of that place that you found for $6200 with a lot better equpt?

I would like to find a great Heavy Equip school;I have a CDL for years and get problems staying in the industry.Finding people who hire students and train.I am ready to change career's.Live in A.Z. please help willing 2 travel for good school.

Earth Maggott in Lower 48 states said: You need to read my posts as that school is a derivative of that Decker College Con Artists I mentioned involving Rudy G in New York.

Ever wonder why their so pushy? SELL ,SELL, SELL MONEY, MONEY, MONEY and you're not included (except your tuition $$).

Again,

Keep it real.

EM

This school is in no way shape, form or fashion affiliated with that bogus school. Where did you get your misinformation from?????

if anyone thinks they got ripped off that the schools to small claims court and get your money back hay ive been throgh a lot and come out on top everytime

Rodolfo Gonzalez in Tucson, Arizona said: I am a Certified H E O, I II III. I obtained my certs on Nov of 06. I have been looking for work in Las Vegas and Arizona. Calif. What does it take to get hired. They either want a High School Diploma, or experience, how do you obtain that if no one wants to give you a chance, not even the Unions?

You have to just get a job with a company first. Then you ease your way around through time and operate equipment when ever you get a chance. Also watch what the operator does in different task and job conditions while your working. A lot of the problem is that young people today think you can learn how to check oil, learn to crank and drive a piece of equipment your an operator. That's totally wrong it takes years in the seat to become a proficient operator At some point you'll be given a chance a big excavator or 14F motor grader is worth and gets $125,00 and hour or more if they getting the job done in a professional manner. but if an unskilled operator is running either piece it will be obvious you have no idea how to do the job and that's the ticket with heavy equipment. So it's not enough to crank and drive equipment you've got to perform with it or else. And the only way no matter what any of you say or do to be an operator you've got to be able to take the equipment and look very smooth and professional while doing a beautiful lob. And they don't teach that, it's learned from hours in the seat. Get a laborers job like the rest of us and work hard to prove you want to learn heavy equipment and you'll be given the opportunity, I promise. It's how we all did it.

Trenchbox hit the nail on the head.All you guys coming out of school who think you are operators better think again.

IT STANDS FOR NATIONAL CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION RESEARCH. A BS MADE UP CERT. LOOK PEOPLE NCCER AND NAHETS ARE A MADE UP NAME BY THE SCHOOL, THEY HAVE NO REAL MEANING.

NOW KEEP IT REAL.........

NAHETS STANDS FOR "NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAINING SCHOOLS" AGAIN IT MEANS NOTHING IS BACKED BY NOTHING. MADE UP BY THE SCHOOL TO SOUND LIKE YOU'RE REALLY GETTING SOMETHING. YOU DONT GET A REAL DIPLOMA SO THE SCHOOL HAS TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE YOU'RE GETTING SOMETHING FOR YOUR MONEY THAT YOU CAN USE TO GET A JOB.

IM SO GLAD THIS FORUM JUST SAVED ME A TON OF MONEY. I WILL PURSUE SOME OTHER FIELD. OR I WILL STICK WITH MY TRUCK DRIVING CAREER I ALREADY HAVE.

IF YOU EVER WANT TO LEARN TO DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER GO TO A COMPANY SCHOOL LIKE US XPRESS OR WERNER ENTERPRISES COVENANT ETC... THEY TRAIN YOU AND YOU WORK FOR THEM AND YOUR TRAING IS FREE IN RETURN FOR YOUR WORKING FOR THEM.

Hey wat´s up trenchbox1 thank you for your advaice it really help. I just graduate from san bernardino, school of construccion i am looking for a job any where in the united states but is really hard. Every other time that i go to apply to any company i tell them that i don´¨t really care if they pay me the minimum wage and give me shuffle or a hammer that all i want to do is work in the industry and have the oportunity to at least jump in the machine in my break time but they haven´¨t never answer me. I did not know that it was going to be that hard to find a job..... If there is anyone that want to give me an oportunity or know where can i go to apply i will be more than thanks..... MY e mail is francisco.olivares.heo@gmail.com

IM TRYING TO GET INTO THE TRAINING FOR HEAVY EQUIP.OPER.BUT I DONT HAVE THE CREEDIT TO FINANCE MYSELF.IM CURRENTLY ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SCHOOL IN STOCKTON THAT THEY TAKE PRIVATE GRANTS BUT I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW TO OBTAIN THOSE TYPES OF GRANTS AND EDD HAS BEEN OF NO HELP INTO FINDING OUT HOW TO GET PAID TRAING.I,DID SEND A EMAIL TO EDD THAT I HAD THE INTENT FOR TRAING AND HAD IT PLACED INTO MY FILE.IS THIS EVEN WORTH GOING FOR OR IS THERE ANOTHER TRADE IN WHICH I COULD GET A GRANT FOR THAT WOULD GET ME THRU FAIRLY QUICKLY SO THAT I CAN GO BACK TO WORK?

Right now is probably the worst time to try to become an operator.A lot of good operators are in the same position that you are in.Grants are really hard to get right now.If your young enough,try the military.

I have been looking at attending Northern Construction school of heavy equipment.But they told me they just comressed 3 schools into Northern California.they used to run one in Nevada and one in Southern california.That did not sound promising.Sounds like they can't afford to pay their own Bill's.I know the economy is bad,but if that is not a bad "sign,I don't know what is"Now I am gonna go do Motercycle Mechanic Training!Need to get to work!Sis week's of training is $7000 $15000 for 12 weeks prety expensive.If no one like's you'r certificate, then you are out of work,Good Luck- to everyone.

I was employed by one of those national schools as a instructor I HAVE UGLY STORIES TO SHARE ILL POST LATER

I saw the DEEP CREEK CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL website. It states that Cal TRANS does not recognize a certificate from other schools who may claim to have a "national" certificate. Yeah Right! I attended a NAHETS school with a guy who previously went through level 1 and was later sent there and paid for by CAL TRANS to go through level 2.

Dozer-Milwaukee, W>I It is later please post the stuff on the instructors and what stories you have.

Did evreryone give up on Heavy Equipment? I have my Commercial Drivers Licensce and the Hiring Market is stagnent,I was gonna go to Motercycle school and it cost $23,000 dollars plus private loan $10,000 it is too much for a certificate.That leaves me looking for another trade,does anyone know,How hard it is in Welding for Openings and Training!Thanks, LA

eager2 learn dont give up your earge. HEO Is a great trade.I grew up in the seat and been doing it ever since.It comes with a lot of personal and financial rewards.As far as training go;s Having been the training director for one of those national H.E schools for three years I can tell you that the time they give you in the seat is the most importent.followed by safety;P.M and grades/site layout.Shop around.find out how many seat hours you get on each peice of equip.before you commit.Remember unless you have been farming all your life and your middle name is DEERE you will enter the trade as entry leveL. A lot of contractors will take you on. I have put hundreds of students out in the trade and Iam still in contact with many of them.Call deep creek they might be your ticket to become one of the brotherhood of operators.I left that school when they cared more about the money then the students

Thanks DOzer,I appreciate the comment,Are you still teaching or working on a site?I am in Yuma Arizona and SOuther California of Construction has contacted me,they have 3 school's.N.Cal,Nevad but they said they shut down S,Nev. SO N.CAL is open-I dont want to go there and NHTS contacted me for there school-they might have one in MAdison-W.I. Is Deep creek a school or Union-Brotherhood?Where is Deep Creek located.If I have to go to school in ILLionois I will! If it is a school do they have you sign private loans for housing.Need a web site to find deep creek-location-what state!Thanks,Leah

Eager try www.constructionshcool.net they are not ATS or NHTS you want to stay away from those schools .trust me thats were I worked

I was contacted by a school ate that approved a 1000.00 down to go to the school in a few weeks.my question is is it worth it?is there any school that will take student loans or grants?

Check into your local work force development boards. some have programs that will help with tuition.

Dozer I saw a rip-off page with N.A.H.E.T.S,ATS-yesterday;I saw deep creek,but it ask's you to call former students,to find out if the program is good! What do you know of Deep CreeK!Workforce doesn't help out of state like Cali,only some school in A.Z no schools with Heavy equipment-like deep creek! I'm gonna call them monday find out more about their program.

Eager. Idont know much about deep creek. I just know who there not. A.T.S TRY WWW.HEAVYEQUIPMENTTRAINING.COM as well there in WA.Also check into salle mae for student loan information

Yeah,I checked and I think I need a co-signor,I'm over 18 and not funded by anyone right,now! Thanks,I will keep trying.The Recession,is being felt.I guess it is a waiting game,wait for stuff to open up!

Beware! There is a school I heard of from a in the North West that has all class time then on graduation day, they take all of the students to an equipment rental yard and the instructors show the students how the equipment work. Thats it. No actual hands on experience.

That sucks,I would have gone to the school in wahington,but it is all personal loans.So, if anyone wants to hire me,I am eager,willing and waiting,at least waiting for 270 appreticeship heo's to get back to work with the union so I a can get trained.

Wow Guys! I'm a 50 year old woman Trucker who was looking to get into another career, when I was searching for the school that ran an add in our paper a couple years ago the search brought up several schools. Actually, I found this site through Deep Creek's website. I guess they don't like the bad rap from ATS, because they put a link on their site that led me here, Thank God! Their web address is:
www.constructionschool.net, for those of you looking for a good school.
However, I'm kicking myself now because the Local Operating Engineers
just accepted applications for a 4 year journey mans apprenticeship training, in both heavy equipment operators and heavy equipment mechanics. The catch is to be excepted you must live in one of the counties covered by the local Union, but you get on the job training overseen by a skilled and experienced operator. As well as, classroom instruction which includes Hazmat, and is 5 to 7 weeks per year.
The application fee was $25.00, which I didn't have at the time. For those of you having trouble finding work, or considering going to school, I would look into weather there was any programs in your area. Problem is they only accept apps at certain times and the deadline here was Feb. 6. You should try a search trough the Building and Construction Trades Department. www.bctd.org my area website is www.wpaoperators.org. Should be sites for other areas of the country.

Good-Luck

Thanks,that was helpful,makes me want to live in Pennsylvania!Everything is paid for from Union Member's,That is great.Az,resident myself but good comment.

Iam a Certify, bulldozer operator ,2001 graduated, 2 jobs this certifiction does not mean nothing if I dont have a job.

Howdy folks, been reading the blogs on this site. I've been in the construction industry for 23 years now. Started out as a framer, worked my way up to foreman and worked my way up to being project superintendent for the past 8 years. Residential and commercial building has come to a screeching halt here in MT. Seriousely considering relocating to Oaklahoma City (unemployment there is much lower than most other states). Looking for a heavy equipment trainging facility in that area to no avail; Deep Creek might be the way to go for me. There is going to be lots of work in infrastructure and energy thanks to the Stimulus Package- there is also a lot of funding available for retraining through your states' EDD. Not digging this recession at all!

i went to the ATS school in columbus oh, it was a joke

dont go there they will not help you at all

are there any heavy equipment operator trainer courses in texas? i've got company cards but i need a certificate. i have not found one yet i can't go to california or oklahoma for a while. single got kids can't leave for long.

so whut would be the best school to attend , or whut ya'll recommend ? my cousins work as heavy epuipment operator , but they been doing it for 10 yrs now and they didnt go to school for it they started off at the bottom position , they work in houston tx . one of them uses the crane and i think the other uses the excavator what school is good their is a ats in dallas tx. but now seeing these comments im thinking twice about , i used to live in los angeles county in la puente what would be the best school if i was to go back to california or if i would stay here , is ats a bad school overall or is it just the one in las vegas ?

OK I read most of the comments but didn't see if Deep Creek Const. school has a success rate at placing students? I'm looking to change careers or not, if I can't get a job right off, maybe it will help me and my resume driving a truck.

So you would recommend a person to spend the 13,000 for the class? I have a hard time spending that type of money for aa 6 week class""

save your $ Do your shopping first.

dahattenburg@yahoo.com in Tucson, Arizona said: So you would recommend a person to spend the 13,000 for the class? I have a hard time spending that type of money for a 6 week class""

Not sure who's comment your responding to, but Deep Creek Construction School is only $5,900 for 9 weeks.
I'm going there now and Having a good time learning, all awhile learning good values, and skills, He's a good guy, Does what he has to do to get you to learn, and teaching you respect for the the contractor at the same time. I'm gonna put my kid through this program, I could of used this a long time ago.

Not sure who's comment your responding to, but Deep Creek Construction School is only $5,900 for 9 weeks.
I'm going there now and Having a good time learning, all awhile learning good values, and skills, He's a good guy, Does what he has to do to get you to learn, and teaching you respect for the the contractor at the same time. I'm gonna put my kid through this program, I could of used this a long time ago.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I JUST SPOKE TO SOME GUY AT ATS. THE INFORMATION IS ON ITS WAY. ONCE THAT DATA MAKES ITS WAY TO MY HOME, I WONT OPEN IT, ILL JUST PLACE IT IN THE TRASH.

Basketcase in Victorville, California said: Not sure who's comment your responding to, but Deep Creek Construction School is only $5,900 for 9 weeks.
I'm going there now and Having a good time learning, all awhile learning good values, and skills, He's a good guy, Does what he has to do to get you to learn, and teaching you respect for the the contractor at the same time. I'm gonna put my kid through this program, I could of used this a long time ago.

I just picked a number by totalling all the 3 classes that I thought you might need, I may not have all the proper info. That is why I am commenting here.

To all those considering HEO schools- The only certification that matters is the quality of work you do. There is no nationally recognized certification or license, other than union journeyman cards. My advice is to start wherever you can in a company and ease your way into the seat as you learn the construction business. There are so many facets to this job, you probably will never learn it all. Rail construction is different from dam construction, which is different from roadbuilding, which is different from mining. Each niche of the business has its own personality, with corresponding do's and don'ts. No school can teach that, only time in the seat, and learning from your mistakes. I have better than 25 years in the seat, all over the US and abroad. I can tell in three minutes if you are an operator, by the way you dress, the vehicle you drive and the words you use. Once you jump in the seat, I can tell in 30 seconds. Any experienced hand can say the same. Operating has been very good to me and I recommend it to anyone. But you can't come out of a 9 week school and be an operator. You will be a "lever-puller", and only time will teach you how to be efficient, make every pass count, work so as to save yourself work, not create it, and leave your work area looking like adults work there. After all you are writing your name on the ground with cutting edges, its just as easy to do it right. I am not trying to discourage anyone, but if you get on a job...buddy up with an old hand, watch what he does, and ask him why. I have never refused to teach anyone who wanted to learn, and there is a wealth of practical wisdom to be had from older hands. That's how most of us did it and now its your turn. You will begin to feel a real sense of accomplishment when you leave a piece of ground, done right. I enjoy driving past work I did long ago. Its still there, and its still right. Good luck to all. From a graybeard.

YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE NAIL,WORK LIKE YOU MEAN IT, i HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT THAT, BUT WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE NOW DAY, SOME COMPANY ARE LOOKING ON HOW TO DO IT FASTER, NOT BETTER AND YOU END UP OUT IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE. i WISH i CAOUD FIND A AY TO GET INTO SCHOOL. GET THE TRAINING AND TO BE ABLE TO BE A LEVER PULLER , IT BET FLIPPING BURGERS, NOT THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING , BUT YOU GET THE PICTURE.YOU LEFT A GREAT COMMENT, THANKS AND KEEP THE GOOD STUFF COMING

I'm looking to get into Heavy Equipment operation - live in PA and don't have any prior experience. I'd like to get into a Union to get proper training and such but am considering looking at compannies - getting into the company then working my way into the seat.

Any suggestions on good jobs to get that can lead to "seat" training for someone who doesn't have crap worth of experience in the seat other than operating tractors and ATVs?

Just a suggestion to those wanting to get a start running the iron, take a job doing whatever as a start. I began as a pipe laborer. In Texas. In August. Six months later they asked if I thought I could run a roller. I said "you bet" and I was the rollingist SOB anybody ever saw and two months later a dozer hand was absent one Saturday, and they asked If I could fill in, and I said "you bet" and I've never looked back. Point is, your boss really likes to see a green kid with a heart full of try. Attitude is everything. I say that from a perspective of having been both operator and grade foreman up to the General Superintendent of a company.
Another avenue is of course your local IUOE, most have solid training programs that lead to a journeyman card, then you can travel anywhere you want, pay travel dues to the local there, and assuming the hall isn't full, they will actively try to find you work. Kind of nice to have a job search agent working for you. Certianly worth checking out.
If anyone offers you a job as a grade-checker helper, jump all over it! You may have to pound lumber in the ground for a while, but you will gain something out of it that will serve you well for years to come: the ability to see grade. I know operators who still can't visualize what they are building, and they are lost. LEARN TO SEE GRADE! Then you will learn to FEEL grade. I work where GPS is in every machine and I laugh when some guy gets on the radio whining when his GPS is down. For crying out loud, grow a pair and get over it. I started on straight shift cable dozers with pony motor start, and no cabs. You HAD to be an operator to run those.
Oiling is another way into a seat, just be sure to make clear from the start that's what you want.
Hope this helps, I wish I had a few hundred acres and some iron. We'd have fun introducing you to chasing iron around the world. Its been good to me and I learn something new everyday.