This is What You Can Expect After Attending Crane Operator School

You’re always looking for ways to boost your career, increase your income, and enrich your life by learning new skills, and making the decision to further your education is a big step, and one you should be proud of.

For people who are looking to pursue a career in construction, one of the best steps you can take is to enroll in Crane Operator School. Attending crane operator school, like the one offered by West Coast Training near Woodland, Washington, will equip you with a wide array of valuable skills that will serve to help you further your construction career.

Here are a few examples of what you can expect after attending crane operator school:

Multiple Certifications

Construction is a highly competitive industry and there are always many highly qualified candidates seeking employment. If you want to succeed in that field, you’ll need something to set you apart from the other candidates.

The crane operator school at West Coast Training helps graduates get a huge leg up on the competition by leaving them with as many as nine different certifications from the National Commission For The Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Having a wide array of professional certifications from an accredited organization will be sure to wow recruiters and get your resume moved up to the top of the stack.

At West Coast Training, you could walk away with certifications as a Tower Crane Operator, a Signalperson, a Rigger Level 1, as well as in many different types of cranes including the Fixed Cab Hydraulic Crane, the Swing Cab Hydraulic Crane, the Boom Truck Fixed Cab Crane, and others. The possibility also exists that laws could be passed soon requiring crane operators to have these certifications; if that happens, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Real World Experience

Of course, all the certifications in the world aren’t going to mean much if you can’t actually operate a crane in field conditions. That’s why a reputable crane operator school, such as the one at West Coast Training, ensure that in addition to your classroom hours, you’ll be working on actual construction projects with real, functioning cranes.

West Coast Training owns 12 cranes and has a maximum of 6 people per class; that means you won’t be watching other students do the job. You’ll actually be practicing with each type of crane, repeatedly.

There are many different types of crane operator jobs and some are staggeringly complex. Construction companies won’t even consider hiring crane operators that haven’t done these jobs in the field before. One example is a job known as the blind pick. This is when a crane is used to assemble vertical concrete piping, but with the added challenge of the operator being unable to see what they’re working on. You’ll practice doing this with another student, who will take the role of signalperson (also a certification you’ll earn at crane operator school). Together, you’ll repeatedly practice the construction of the piping until you’re comfortable with it; then, you’ll alternate jobs. As a result, you’ll be able to confidently tell recruiters that you’re experienced with that and many other skills.

A Pay Bump

Whether you’ve been working in construction for a long time, or are just now looking to enter the field, you’re probably looking to increase your income. According to payscale.com, the average wage for a construction worker is $14.49 per hour. Crane operators, on the other hand, earn significantly more with an average wage of $24.42 per hour.

By attending crane operator school, you can quickly increase your income very significantly. Of course, the more experience you earn, the more money you’ll make. Eventually, you’ll become an invaluable part of your employer’s construction team, earning benefits, vacation days, and a comfortable wage that suits your level of training and experience. The crane operator school at West Coast Training also happens to be in the Washington area, which is where employees can expect the highest pay.

A Safer Workplace

Of course, wherever you happen to be employed, your safety and the safety of your coworkers is a critical factor. None of the other benefits of the job matter if you don’t feel safe! However, cranes and the cargo they move are heavy and always potentially dangerous in the hands of untrained operators.

There are many safety issues to consider when in the field; hazards are present everywhere and the crane operator must be aware of them and diligent when it comes to avoiding potential dangers. Everything from slipping and tripping hazards, to the dangers posed when rigging a crane to exactly the right balance.

Once you’ve completed crane operator school, you’ll walk away highly trained in safety procedures and situational awareness, meaning that any construction site that is lucky enough to have you as an operator will be that much safer.

Of course, being highly trained in safety will also provide a significant boost to your employability. Businesses want their job sites and their employees to be safe, and they’ll be competing for properly trained operators. Hiring someone who is properly certified will also save the business money in insurance costs; they may need to pay you a bit more, but to them, it will be worth it for the boost to the workplace safety you’ll provide.

So Where Do I Sign Up?

If all of these prospective benefits interest you, you’ll probably be interested in next steps, and it’s simple. Just head to West Coast Training website or give us a call at (800) 755-5477. Once you’re in contact with our Admissions Team, you can discuss your potential future at crane operator school.

Want to learn more about the class schedule, required materials, housing, and more? Our team can answer these questions and help you determine if crane operator schools is the right career path for you.