Heavy Equipment School

Hi I am new here. I am 19 and I have intentions on going to school to be a HEO.

I have a few questions for you more experienced operators. I live in NE Florida. Buissness is good here. I have ringpower, Dupont, and several other wild life org I could work for.

I am new to this with no exp (Other than loader and farm equip)

My questions are...

Is school worth the money? Its 100% Accredited and I get certified documents stating I can run etc.

Will going to school help me get a job more easily? Would this give me a upper hand with employers?

I am currently employed with DOC (Depatment Of Corrections) as a C/O. Pay is $13.64 Hr. I can be a HEO @ dupont and make $15.50 Starting out. Basically I need some advice from yall. I want to get into the career but I want to know what yall think about school. Thanks

i whant to know the same thing

School and education is always a good thing. Certs are a plus!

School is fine, but what's going to get you the job is seat time. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. Schools will give you the basic knowledge to be able to run the equipment, but it takes seat time. Certs are always a plus.

Hi Guys,

I may be a little late but anything you can do to better your abilities will be recognized by a future employer. You will not learn how to run heavy equipment properly in the course alone. Some people can certainly pick it up quicker than others but it takes practice. You will learn how to maintain a machine and the safety but the thing you need most is to learn how to do a job efficiently. You may know how to operate th machine well but if you don't know how to go about a job you will look like you just came out of the city. I suggest you take a course but then go to work for a construction company and watch and learn how things are done and if you excel at your job you will be operating before you know it. Good heavy equipment operators are hard to find, treat the equipment the way you treat your girl friend. Take good care of it and your boss will pay you what you're worth.

I would be very leary of the schools. I have looked into them and have had very negative feed back from all over. I currently work for a construction company and they have flat out stated that those schools are a waste of money. Besides I have looked very hard at them and have found that they offer alot of false promises. Flat out it really makes a huge difference where you live or are willing to live and what that area has to offer. There are many operators out there who cannot find a decent paying job. It really depends on how large of a market there is for the job in your area. The other response I found was that those certifications really don't mean alot to employers. I urge you to think very hard before you jump. I had my loan secured and was ready to pack my bags when I found alot of very disturbing blogs that really made me understand that it wasn't worth the money. Unfortunately I am still looking myself for the right answers on the whole issue of how to get the training and get a start but just think hard. It is alot of money to spend if it isn't going to guarentee you a job or advancement.

I really don't think you're being fair, you make it sound like all training schools are worthless. I taught heavy equipment for one season after I sold my heavy equipment business for 22 years, the students learn alot about safety and how to maintain equipment which is extremely important. The safety itself is worth the money if it saves a life. I agree some schools are not worth the effort but some do a good job..... If someone had the money they would be further ahead to rent a machine for a month and set themselves up on a piece of property somewhere and practice, after 2 weeks of non stop training they would be good enough to rent their rented machine to a company at a good rate and get more experience and get paid for it. Lots of ways to get experience...use your imagination.

I'm saying that the larger scale training schools that you find all over the internet do not seem to be what they are advertised to be. I completely agree to a training program that is actually going to deliver what it promises and gives you the knowledge that you honestly need. I have seen very scary situations involving equipment and do feel that proper training is a wonderful thing. Finding it is the problem. Where do you actually find a training program that is not a rip off. I have been searching very hard to find one. I have in my mind that is what I want for a future career but am unable to find appropriate schooling that an employer will take seriously. I was told that those certifications that those schools offer don't really mean much because point blank they don't give you enough hands on. Even worse for me I am a female and most men won't take me seriously. This is what I want so what are your suggestions on how to start. There aren't very many apprenticship programs available I've already tried that route. Help

I understand your frustration...it is hard for women to be taken serious especially the younger you are. Honestly, the way most people learn is to watch someone else. Doctors go to university for 10 years and they watch other doctors perform surgeries...Heavy equipment operators are much the same...find a job and work as a laborer amongst the operators...You won't believe how much you will learn. Operating the equipment is only half the battle, doing the actual work is harder. Would you know how to dig a basement the proper size, dig it to grade and leave it so concrete trucks can get around? Do you know where the drain tile will go that takes the water away from the footing course? Do you know how to back fill a basement properly?

There are hundreds of things to learn that are more important than operating the equipment. I have a website that will teach you alot about how to do this and that..www.operating-heavy-equipment.com. What do you want to operate? Excavator, dozer? If you want to show someone you're serious about operating become a laborer first and then as you learn the ground work you get a chance to sit in the seat. Trust me, there are too many heavy equipment operators that have no idea what their doing. Employers want efficient operators, time is money. Look at my website and ask any questions you want from there and I will answer them.

I really need some advice. I'm currently a Junior in college, but I'm thinking that I want to become a Heavy Equipment Operator. It's also something that I wanted to do as a kid, and I thought, well why not give it a shot. My question is should I go to school for the training for heavy equipment, or contact a local contractor? And is $16,000 worth paying for a 9 week training course to be certified in heavy equipment operation. Please let me know, I need the advice.

You can make 20K a year starting out after college or you can make more as a crane or heavy equipment operator. Your choice. Construction as a career is very rewarding.

I know, many people have told me that a trade can be very rewarding, and most make more than a college graduate. I plan on going to ATS school in columbus for HEO training, but I read of the forums, and I've heard some bad things about the schools. what you guys think? anyone here attended any of ATS schools?

I have a website, www.operating-heavy-equipment.com There you will learn many things about operating. I would Love to help you all if it was possible. The thing about a heavy equipment school, you don't get alot of seat time on anything. Here's the truth of the matter, if you could get on a machine for 8 hours a day for 10 days with the right teacher you could be ready to go to work.....providing you are teachable. I a in New Brunswick Canada, if you were closer I would teach you myself.

Tony I did check out your website, which I found was very helpful. I did write you an email also. I mean when it comes to heavy equipment I know nothing, nothing at all. I mean aren't companies looking for people who have went to school for the training, and know what they're doing?

Andrew,

I agree, all construction companies want to hire experienced operators. Some construction companies don't recognize these training schools...in fact...some companies up here won't hire you if you went to a training school. You don't need to to go to a training school to get experience. Find a local guy with a small excavator and pay him to teach you. Did you know that you could rent a brand new machine for about 4000 a month and some companies rent by the week. Rent a machine, find a retired operator or someone who's not working right now and get in that seat and don't get out until you know how to operate in professionally.

I wouldn't mind buying my own used backhoe and just go from there. I want to start my own business, but I have to start somewhere. Another issue that concerns me is that if the weather is bad, then you don't work for a few days, would you say that's a downfall of being a heavy equipment operator?

I wouldn't mind buying my own used backhoe and just go from there. I want to start my own business, but I have to start somewhere. Another issue that concerns me is that if the weather is bad, then you don't work for a few days, would you say that's a downfall of being a heavy equipment operator?

Buying your own machine is smart...if you can manage it. Don't let the weather stop you from this business, some days you'll wish it was raining.

If you plan to buy your own iron and start your own business you better have an idea of what you are doing. With the price of off road diesel fuel at $3.00 a gallon, 1 instance of rework will kill you.
If you know nothing about moving dirt efficiently I would definitely suggest a school to learn some of the ins and outs. Heavy equipment operation is not just about pulling levers.

I know that, but I'm not about to spend $16,000 for a school when I could buy my own, and pay someone who knows what they're doing. Is it really that hard to read grade, and eveything else?

Andrew,

Don't even think about buying equipment to start a business at this point. I do think it's smart to buy your own to train on especially if you buy something that has a good resale value. Quite often you can sell equipment for more than you pay for it if you shop around. Grading is a talent, you either have it or you don't. I have built dikes hundreds of feet long without a laser and my grades stay within an inch. I dig basements with out a laser and do all kinds of things without a laser. I have 20,000 hours operating bulldozers, I could finish grade better in my first year than most could after 10 years of operating. Grading is a gift, you work with the materials you have and you make do. Most operators can not see the big picture, they do what their told and that's all they can do. Believe me, I have corrected hundreds of jobs that were done by professional operators over the years. I have said so many times, just because a person can operate doesn't mean they can do the job. The most important part of operating heavy equipment in the eyes of a company is that the work can be done properly and efficiently.

And if this guy you hire quits and goes to work for someone else for .50 cents an hour more, whos going to run the equipment when your facing liquidated damages?

Wade,

Andrew isn't talking about hiring someone to operate it for him...he's talking about hiring someone part time to show him how to operate it.

Dewitt in Howey In The Hills, Florida said: Hi I am new here. I am 19 and I have intentions on going to school to be a HEO.

I have a few questions for you more experienced operators. I live in NE Florida. Buissness is good here. I have ringpower, Dupont, and several other wild life org I could work for.

I am new to this with no exp (Other than loader and farm equip)

My questions are...

Is school worth the money? Its 100% Accredited and I get certified documents stating I can run etc.

Will going to school help me get a job more easily? Would this give me a upper hand with employers?

I am currently employed with DOC (Depatment Of Corrections) as a C/O. Pay is $13.64 Hr. I can be a HEO @ dupont and make $15.50 Starting out. Basically I need some advice from yall. I want to get into the career but I want to know what yall think about school. Thanks

I just graduated from heavy equipment operating school. An accredited program. I gained a lot of valuable information and learned to operate numerous equipment. However, I have yet to find employment after 3 months of graduating from the school. The economy here in florida is in a slump as far as construction goes. I am sure that I will find something but the construction business will have to pick up and I am sure that it will.

I believe that the school that I went to is a very good school and would recommend it to anyone. You are not promised a job afterwards but you will gain a lot of knowledge concerning HE and construction sites and waste management and much more.

what5s up guy im new to this site and i am going to attend the ats school in SC march 10. i was just wondering if anyone had attended a ATS school and could give me some feed back about the training? I know you guys say that schools stink and employers don't recignize the certification, but i have made some phone calls around the area ,just to see what local employers thought, and they told me to call them when i was done with school and i would have a job. now i mean i'm not going to walk in makeing tons of money, or jump on the equipment and take off. but this school is getting my foot in the door.

I attended the ATS school in Victorville California..
I checked out a bunch of different schools and found ATS was much cheaper. I figured since they had been around since like the 60's that they would have a better idea about what they were doing.. And I was right! Plus, ATS didnt feed me all the bull**** lines like some others did.. I went through the 6 week program and I learned a TON.. I literally had a job the day I walked out the door. I started at the company I'm at not the following Monday making $21.50 an hr. I got my first shot in a loader 2 weeks after I was hired and now I run it ALL! On top of that, the company I work for just sent 3 guys to the ATS school to get trained on graders..

Bottom line.. I'm GLAD I went to ATS.. It was the best thing I ever did!
Be careful though because some of the smaller schools with say just about ANYTHING to get you to come there.. ATS was very honest with me and never made me feel pressured..

Hi Jason,

Your information is good for anyone who wants to be an operator, most are scared to pay the money out and not get what they pay for. I taught at a school for one term and I was embarrassed to be there, I had to follow their ways and the other instructors were old school that operated cable dozers. They didn't like me because I undermined their instructions, they didn't have a clue how to operate let alone instruct. Just imagine learning from someone who didn't know what they were doing? I hate to promote schools for the very reason you mentioned in your last post, but I would Love to know which school you attended so I can create a page about them for other students on my website. www.opeating-heavy-equipment.com

Anyone here attend West Coast Training in Woodland WA. or Deep Creek Construction in Apple Valley CA. Any info would be apreciated. Was considering ATS but after reading some off these posts I cant help but be skecptable.
West Coast sounds the best. They offer 8 weeks off training for $7172 and you get your own machine for 4 hours a day, not sure iff you get certified.
P.S anyone hu's just looking for experience and dont mind the low wages might consider working at the ski resorts for a season. I got hired at my first interview as a snow-cat operator, you could also work in snow removal operating loaders and dump trucks.

Dude, I checked out taht Deep Creek school!! When I was researching them, I went out and took a "tour" and they wouldnt even let me look at thier training grounds! I'm not about to spend that kind of money if they wont even let me see where the training takes place... Something sounds a little fishy!! ATS took me right out to there training grounds and even let me get on some equipment.

Certification is a plus. Some jobs dont care but others do.

As an owner of an excavating company here in Rockford IL, I can honestly tell you that I would hire and ATS graduate over practically ALL of you.. And I HAVE! Think about it.. Here is the truth... Why would I want to hire someone with 10 years of experience who expects to be paid over $25 an hour when I can choose from a bunch of entry-level operators fresh out of ATS who are just looking for thier "big break"? I start these guys off at $18-20 an hour and if they work out and I want to keep them, bump them up in a year or two. I've made the mistake of hiring only "verterans" and it cost me a fortune! I have ATS graduates who take better care of my equipment and are more dependable than MOST of the vets I have working for me! Plus they havent formed any bad habits yet. Trust me, those are hard to break! I know a lot of people in the industry and they all check with ATS before making a new-hire. Its common sense and good business practice.. Think about it...

I say if you want to get into this industry and you have little or no experience, its a good idea to check out one of these equipment schools.. Just make sure they use NCCER certification and they are LEGIT. There are a lot of schools out there that will train you on some machines but offer either a worthless certification or none at all.. The NCCER cert shows us employers exactly what you have been taught. It makes a big difference..

Happy Digging!

FINALLY a good positive entry about our industry and how folks can get started. After working in the industry for quite a few years Josh is right most of the veterans are very negative, use extremely fowl language and are really just a burden to the industry as far as image is concerned.
keep it going up there in Rockford Josh.

Thanks for the good info. I just got my free DVD in the mail from ATS and will check them out and try and not be to quick to judge.

Dewitt in Howey In The Hills, Florida said: Hi I am new here. I am 19 and I have intentions on going to school to be a HEO.

I have a few questions for you more experienced operators. I live in NE Florida. Buissness is good here. I have ringpower, Dupont, and several other wild life org I could work for.

I am new to this with no exp (Other than loader and farm equip)

My questions are...

Is school worth the money? Its 100% Accredited and I get certified documents stating I can run etc.

Will going to school help me get a job more easily? Would this give me a upper hand with employers?

I am currently employed with DOC (Depatment Of Corrections) as a C/O. Pay is $13.64 Hr. I can be a HEO @ dupont and make $15.50 Starting out. Basically I need some advice from yall. I want to get into the career but I want to know what yall think about school. Thanks

My man. The only thing that the boss looks at is willingness to learn his way and what you know starting out on the job. I was a farm boy and could run it all. that that experience gives you the upper hand equipment school in my opinion is not worth the tuition. its nice, im sure, to learne some of the saftey and get the certs available. Thats all good things. Its them boys been knokin around for 10-20 years in the dirt that will not go for that shcool stuff. good luck in the future

What does everybody think about the NAHETS school in oklahoma? there certs are NCCER, NCCCO and NAHETS. i'm just trying to find out more info or opinions. all thats been menioned is ATS or WCT.

Mike said: What does everybody think about the NAHETS school in oklahoma? there certs are NCCER, NCCCO and NAHETS. i'm just trying to find out more info or opinions. all thats been menioned is ATS or WCT.

If you are going to spend that kind of money for tuition, the best thing you could do is go in person and tour the school. If you can't tour in person, ask lots of questions. Ask them about their job placement rates and if they have qualified instructors and such. Ask what sets them apart from their competition and why you should attend their school instead of another. Go on-line to the websites of the major construction trade associations such as AGC of America and see if they are members or not, that in itself will lend credibility to an institution. One thing is for sure when it comes to your education, cheaper is not always better.

i have had more than 10 years experience has a caterpillar parts consultant and also a heavy equipment operator for me it has been a 'rewarding' job..having said this,i would encourge anyone who's interested to become a heavy equipment operator to go for it..... and remember guys we are professionals in what we do best 'operat heavy equipment'.........

keep up the good work.......Operators

Hi I just stumbled upon this looking to get into school.My brother attended a school called TACK LLc and said it was a decent class.Unfortunately for me I live in the burbs of Pittsburgh and cannot find a school anywhere near me except the one my brother went to.I am older with a family and really can't do the dorm thing do anyone out their know where i can find a school close to here or would it be in my best interest to travel for school????? any help would be great

I am looking to get some training, got two choice...

Accredited, 3-9 week course, 6-15 thousand dollars... or...

Vo-Tech, 5 weeks, 2 evenings + Saturday, $500...

If the $500 class will get me a job why in the heck would I pay thousands more for the other "accredited class"? Anyone out there knowing some truths about this please help.. I am thinking the $500 is worth a shot either way.

bob ortan in Wolfville, Nova Scotia said: i whant to know the same thing

find the operating engineers union in your area & check into their appr. program.

Brandon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: I am looking to get some training, got two choice...

Accredited, 3-9 week course, 6-15 thousand dollars... or...

Vo-Tech, 5 weeks, 2 evenings + Saturday, $500...

If the $500 class will get me a job why in the heck would I pay thousands more for the other "accredited class"? Anyone out there knowing some truths about this please help.. I am thinking the $500 is worth a shot either way.

Read my post from a couple of days ago. Cheaper is not always better. M.A.T.C. is a part time program. Let me ask you this - would you rather have a degree from a discount mom and pop part time university that nobody has heard of or would you rather have a degree from OU? Don't forget that higher tuitions pay for higher quality instructors, equipment, labs and programs.

Hi I am new here. I am 19, married and have some exp. Job corps HEO.

I have intentions on going to school to be a HEO. But I do not know what are good vs bad schools. My local 302 union does not give information about schools in the private sector.

I have a few questions for you more experienced operators. I live in Monroe, WA
Buissness is good here. Wilder / Cadman / Reinker so on
I am new to this with no exp (job corps)

My questions are...

Is school worth the money? Its 100% Accredited and I get certified documents stating I can run etc.

Will going to school help me get a job more easily? Would this give me a upper hand with employers?

Ryan in South Lake Tahoe, California said: Thanks for the good info. I just got my free DVD in the mail from ATS and will check them out and try and not be to quick to judge.

ats has outstanding classes and services but good luck getting a job afterwards i went there and graduated last year still cant get a job....

looking @ taking heq course.Are there accreditions that employers look for in north america?I already have my AZ ticket in my pocket and am able to travel freely across borders,however I'm looking to want to work in the camps in the Territories on some sort of equipment .Anybody have some suggestions on how this can be accomplished.thx j.g.

I also attended ATS and became NCCER certified in HEO,I enjoyed the school and even received the top student certificate but it's been 5 months now and still haven't got any offers for a job. I don't have any work experience in construction industry, just what I've done on my personal time. Am I asking too much at$13.00 per/hr.to start out?

lcurtis in Mountain Grove, Missouri said: I also attended ATS and became NCCER certified in HEO,I enjoyed the school and even received the top student certificate but it's been 5 months now and still haven't got any offers for a job. I don't have any work experience in construction industry, just what I've done on my personal time. Am I asking too much at$13.00 per/hr.to start out?

I wouldnt be "asking" anything as far as pay.. And if you are waiting around for "offers" you are going about finding a job the wrong way. You need to get out there and start applying man! Dont just let ATS try to do all the work for you. You need to be proactive and get out there and look too... Go to some construction sites, look for the site supervisors etc. The ATS certification will help you get in the door, but you need to make it happen man.. Once someone gives you a chance and they see that you can do everything you say you can, you will have better negotiating power when it comes to pay.. You should expect (especially in MO) to start out at around $10 - $15 an hour. You have to start from the ground up bud.. That certification will help you get in the door.. But its up to you find the door. Get out there and look for it!

Thank's for the info Josh, I got hired at a large company starting at $14 per hr. with $80 per diem a day. I'll be running a CAT 621 Scraper.

great site

Mr. Morris,
I am the Placement spec. with Georgia School of Construction. I read your post and I see that you are very pleased with graduates from HEO training programs. I wanted to let you know that we also have NCCER and NAHETS certified operators graduating every 3 weeks seeking employment from all over the Eastern seaboard. You can check out the training program that we offer in better detail at www.ga-sc.com or www.NAHETS.com.