Are you considering becoming a crane operator? Prior to achieving that goal, it’s important to consider the facts about the endeavor you’re looking to take on. Fortunately for you, we’ve laid out some of the most common factors people take into account when deciding if becoming a crane operator is for them.
What’s entailed in Training?
The best way to prepare yourself to enter the field of crane operation is to enroll in a training program at a trade school in your area. In such programs, through a combination of classroom and hands-on training, you will gain the necessary skills to become a successful operator. You will become well versed in subjects like safety, operator responsibilities and crane maintenance. An education in crane operation at a trade school also gives you the opportunity to pick the brains of your instructors, who typically have significant experience in the profession.
Time
Many trade schools provide comprehensive training in a few weeks. You can gain an essential base of crane operation knowledge without being in school for years. Enrolling in a trade school program gives you the potential to get a return on your investment in yourself sooner than other postsecondary programs do.
Money
Obviously, time isn’t the only kind of investment you would be making when looking into crane operator programs; there’s also the financial aspect. The cost of attendance varies by school and program, but considering the brevity of most programs relative to other college programs, the financial burden likely won’t be as large. Also, most schools offer financial aid and other ways of financing your education. Benefits for current and former military personnel are common offerings as well.
Certification
New OSHA regulations recently went into effect that require all mobile crane operators in construction, to be certified in the type of crane(s) they use. Employers are also responsible for documenting employee competency. What does this mean for you, the prospective crane operator? Simply, you will have to pass a certification exam issued by an accredited body, such as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Don’t sweat it too much, because an educational program will help prepare you to pass your certification exam.
Where It Will Take You
Once you complete a training program and have your certification under your belt, you can take advantage of a plentiful job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9 percent increase in Crane and Tower operators through 2026. Because construction is done almost everywhere across the country, there is a wide array of places you can work. Be sure to take advantage of your school’s alumni network and meet with any recruiters who come to campus.
Now that you have taken these factors into consideration, you can make a more informed decision about becoming a crane operator. There’s no better place to prepare for a meaningful career in the heavy equipment industry than a Heavy Equipment Colleges of America campus.
Lift Your Career to New Heights at HEC
At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, you will learn the essential skills to succeed as a crane operator. HEC has seven campuses across the country, each full of instructors who pride themselves on providing practical heavy equipment education tailored to its students’ individual needs. HEC’s mobile crane and lattice boom crane programs offer the perfect mix of textbook learning and hands-on experience to adequately prepare you for a variety of work in crane operation.
HEC has over a decade of experience training heavy equipment operators. All seven campuses are approved testing sites for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
Heavy Equipment Colleges of America offers comprehensive heavy equipment operating courses that can be completed in as soon as three weeks. This may provide you with the knowledge and competence you need to start your new career. Don’t wait; hop into the driver seat of your new career. Learn more about HEC’s programs or schedule a tour of the campus nearest you by logging on to https://heavyequipmentcollege.edu/.
