6 Reasons You Should Say Yes to Heavy Equipment School

You may have a number of reasons why you’re considering going to a heavy equipment school.

You might be drawn to a career that lets you be outside, creating new things.

You may know that heavy equipment operation is a fast-growing job field in this country, with yearly growth of up to 10%.

You might be looking at a change in careers and this was a job that appealed to you.

In any case, deciding to invest time and money into schooling is a big commitment. But pursuing a career in construction can be very rewarding for the right person. Going to a good school makes this dream happen even easier.

To start yourself off on the right track, here are some reasons you should say yes to heavy equipment school.

1. Hands-On Experience

Are you the type of person who doesn’t want to spend your life trapped indoors behind a desk? Us too. Heavy equipment school isn’t what you think of when you think of ‘school’. While there is some classroom work, you will get plenty of time outside every day, working with the equipment you will actually be using on the job. Both classroom and field training are practical, and everything you learn applies directly to your future career.

It is valuable to get fieldwork experience in a safe environment where you can get focused help from instructors. Good schools have enough equipment so that students are able to train as much as possible, rather than having to take turns with their classmates. You will be able to train on multiple types of equipment each week, giving you exposure to many real work situations.

2. Personal Attention, Small Class Sizes

Speaking of the classroom environment, one thing to consider is class size. You may have had previous experience in school or a workplace where you just felt like a number. A good heavy equipment school wants you to get the most out of your experience and offers small class sizes. In this way, every member of the class can learn at the same time rather than having to constantly wait turns to try out a new skill.

Small class sizes also mean that you will have more personalized attention from instructors. They will get to know you better and quickly answer any questions you might have.

Informed and experienced instructors are also a great resource as they have been in the field for years and are experts in what they are teaching you. By learning with the help of all this previous knowledge, students can gain valuable insights into their future career.

3. Learn Different Skills

Heavy equipment school is perfect for people who are task-oriented, like to keep busy, and never get stuck doing the same thing for long periods of time. People in this career have a lot of different duties, and a good school will train you how to do them all.

A heavy equipment operator uses a variety of different machines in order to complete building projects. To get you prepared for your career, your school will train you on a variety of equipment, such as excavators, dozers, and backhoes.

Classroom work involves learning basic surveying-related duties, which is used in a lot of projects. You will also learn safety, and basic necessary engineering and math skills.

Most programs at West Coast Training are eight weeks long and aim to be as practical as possible. Everything you learn in both the classroom and the field has value, and no day feels like busy work. We make sure that everything you do in your training program is applicable to your future career.

4. Safety

A major concern when working in this field is safety. With so many moving parts, construction zones can be dangerous.

By training through a good school, you will learn how to conduct your work to keep yourself and others as safe as possible. You will learn current safety standards and laws, as well as how to operate equipment safely.

Learning in a class environment alongside experienced instructors allows you to refine your skills and do your job safely so that you will be well-prepared by the time you’re on a real job site.

Being trained in safety looks good to employers. They would prefer to hire a new employee from a school that has consistently produced hard-working graduates who know how to keep themselves and others safe at work. Attending school and being up-to-date on safety regulations makes you an asset to the workplace.

5. Pay and Benefits

You may be changing careers after years of working in another field or you might have always considered this as a potential career. In either situation, pay is an appealing aspect of the construction industry.

The average heavy equipment operator in this country makes $46,000 annually, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This number, of course, depends on the individual’s level of experience and the type of job. The most experienced workers and project leaders can make around $80,000 annually.

Most positions also give you full-time work, which includes benefits; health insurance, paid time off, and retirement all add into the value of your career and make it even more rewarding.

6. Future Job Opportunities

A good school cares about the future success of its graduates. To help our students succeed, West Coast Training has staff who will help you build and refine your resume, develop a plan for your job search, and improve your interviewing skills. All of these steps are important in making a good impression to a potential employer and landing your dream job.

Being in a school’s network can also give you greater connections, which is invaluable. Schools look at job boards and have connections with a number of employers, and these can give you leads to a job that you might not have found on your own.

Fortunately, heavy equipment operator jobs are on the rise with the number expected to grow to up to 20% in this decade, according to projections by the U.S. Department of Labor. Once you’re finished training at school and pass the proceeding tests, you will receive NCCER training credentials, which are nationally recognized, allowing you to work anywhere in the U.S.

If you think that heavy equipment school is in your future, contact our admissions team, and if it’s the right fit, you will be on your way to training for your new career in no time.