HOW TO GET A JOB RUNNING HEAVY EQUIPMENT || How to get a job as a heavy equipment operator

I have no experience as a laborer or machine operator and the union in my area, local 150 is having an application process on the 28th. I live in Illinois in the quad cities and I am wondering if this will be a good program to be able to get into a job when I’m finished. I completely understand having to be patient with no prior job experience but I’m worried I’ll spend 5 years of my life doing something that I won’t be able to get a job after.

what are oppurtinities for new heavy equipment operator in canada

🎉🎉 Thanks for much!! Very helpful! 🎉🎉

Haha I worked with this woman that did the school and she was the worst operator here but acted better than everyone

In the UK you just take a 5 day course and boom you’re off. £2000 I think it costs.

Thanks for the inspiration from your videos. I always wanted to do this but never did. Well, I applied to my local union early this year, passed the exam, completed the interview and landed a job starting next week and I'm 44. Thought I was too old to change careers. Thanks again.

work as a Laborer?! No Thanks.

I'm 59 yrs old. I've been an engineering technician or a facility technician most of my life and my back and neck are quite janky now. I always wanted to be heavy equipment operator but, between family life and tons of side jobs, the opportunity only rendered itself as the occasional one or two day rental as needed. I find it depressing that I missed my shot. All of the things you talk about as far as being on and around a job site, I am quite conscious of, so that wouldn't be the problem. Most people apprenticing at 59 yrs old could not shlep 80# bags, manually operate a hand shovel for the better part of a day any more. I know I sound a little pathetic but, it is what is: I missed my shot. Hmmph...

I'm a female labour worker. Physically fit but almost 50. Ive been in my career 31 years. Im looking forba change and find that this is an industry for me. Is it hard for woman to get into this type of work? Im not a feminist or asking about diversity. I'm asking because i legitimately admire to work outdoors and getting dirty. My mother is almost 70 and chops her own trees to warm home in her off grid lifestyle.

12-15 bucks an hour is trash money you can make the same amount at McDonald’s. These companies are really only paying minimum wage??

At the 139 in wisconsin they have you take the Ramsey skills test and if you pass you get a letter of eligibility and a list of approved contractors. The apprenticeship doesn’t start until you find a company to sponsor you. Do you have any advise on how to be more “sponsorable” to these companies? I’ve tried calling and calling and showing up at offices but it seems that HR departments never want to respond to anyone

thank you for the info, i have a question. I used to run a Front End Loader for a month and i do have a license for that, but in another country. does that benefit me in anyway possible? and can i just apply for a job here in maryland without a CDL?
hope you answer soon.
Thank you

Thanks for the info

great vid

I went to school and I'm having a hard time getting a job in heavy equipment

Well said 👏

12$ to 15 pH get that at 13 in Australia

I'm planning to go to the school Route CLC is the top heavy equipment school in the country I work with a guy now who went through it and said it got him in the seat right away running a doser for a construction company. My mom also works at the school so I get free tuition so all I have to pay for is extras such as books. I'm also working at a landscaping company where I get good seat time with. Doing the school and now with regulations cheaper to go the school route to get the CDL then to do it on my own.

Not in nz you got to have the skills and experience first. Even if you have been trained and you been gaining skills from course. You come out with the skills set for a entirety level job. So your skills set is above labourers you are in the middle of the chain with your training certificates in civil construction.

The school option isn’t always a bad one depending on the school. Do your research on the school if you’re thinking about going because the school I’m at has great reputation and we have multiple “lunch and learns” where employers buy us lunch to talk to us and employer showcases where employers pay the school just to get in front of us for about 20 minutes. I knew a lot of guys that went there before me who had no issue finding a good paying job where they got straight into the seat

So what's your opinion on the HEAVY EQUIPMENT COLLEGES OF AMERICA training school, and have you heard ANYTHING ABOUT THEM?

I’m 21 and live in Michigan I’m watched this video not to long ago and my dad works at dans excavating in the office. I was going to school to become a pilot but it didn’t workout I’m very blessed and my dad was able to get me in at dans as an operator now I’m in the union I have no experience and I start Monday never been so excited in my life for a job hopefully down the road in a few years I’m able to help people that follow your Channel and help them get a job in the operating field thanks for all the helpful videos sincerely Jacob:)

I’ve worked as a union laborer the last 4 years. I wanted to become an operator after my first year.

Fast forward to last Tuesday, I was in Louisiana trying to get hired on as a laborer. I gave up after two weeks and 1000.00 wasted.

I was on my way home to Mississippi and started making calls to excavation companies. The first one I called said they were hiring and to come see them when I got into town.

I called and went to meet the owner. He was blown away when I told him that I wanted to be an operator even though I only have one-arm.

In 2019 i has a company make me a prosthetic to operate an excavator.

Fast forward, I worked this last Friday and Saturday as a laborer, yesterday the foreman handed me the key to the dozer and I back dragged about 200 yards of dirt. I got in 1 hour and 28 minutes of seat time.

The foreman waved me down and said I did a helluva job. He said he’ll get me a key and I can start i operating the dozer. That was yesterday.

So I’m the third day, I was able to operate something. The knowledge I gained by sporting, listening, and questioning the operators I worked with, really helped me out.

I’m not calling myself an operator yet. I figure a Goid couple years, then I’ll call myself one. Looking to get back in the union as an operator and not a laborer.

So others that are new to this, this video is spot on. It’s exactly what I did.

Hey I know this is an old video, But if I got to a heavy machine operating school to get my Cert, and the the VA pays me to go. Is it still not worth?

so although the army is paying for my HE training in washington it’s basically a waiste of time going to this 8 week course ?

Does this advice apply to crane operators as well? I'm planning on going to get my NCCCO cert very soon.

From west Africa I am excavator operater can u help me to get job

About 3 weeks ago I started researching job options as a heavy equipment operator. Being in NJ, it became clear the best avenue for pay/benefits/training/hours would be to go the union route. I go to the website for the local labor union only to find the annual application period for apprentices ended 3 weeks ago😳. I guess I’ll wing it for 11 months and get some experience until the next enrollment. There’s plenty of places to dig a hole. 🚜⛏

Should have specified that spring-fall you can get a job in a day lol…winter is another story

Hello I'm zameer from pakistan I'm Excavator operator 5 years Experience in pakistan and 1 year experience in Saudi Arabia I need job

Ugh wish this video was around 10 years ago before I spent 20k on getting my “HEO ticket” 😖😂. Solid advice tho. I tell ya from experience, don’t waste your time or money, nobody gives a fuck

“Landscaping” companies are the way. I got hired when I was 16 with zero experience. I was just doing basic labour my first year. Second year I was put in a skid steer a couple times and started working with an operator building septic systems and other things that actually require a brain. In my third year now and I’m in the shovel almost everyday. I never intended on being an operator but our only 2 quit without notice so I was basically thrown in the seat and told to do my best. I was given a good raise and I’m grateful to have a boss that was willing to work with me and understands that I’m learning. Being the guy on the ground for 1-2 years really helped me though, you get to learn how certain jobs get done and I think it really gives you a better perspective once you hop in the shovel. I learned how to do everything on the ground but I realize now that being the operator on a job is a whole different job. I’m only 19 and I’m learning so much everyday. I still don’t know what I want to do for a living but I’m going to take all of the experience while I can

I'm two weeks into heavy operater school right now :/ wish i would have seen your videos before

Hello, do you need to have a cdl-A?

Hey man just watched this whole series, obviously because I’m about to make the jump into the industry soon but wanted to ask if you think there’s still a good demand for hands (1 year after this video) also thank you for such good info

I'm applying to a union for a apprenticeship part of the process is a aptitude test. Any ideas of what to expect on this test or what i should study on? Any information would be great thanks

As always.... Amazing info here!

I've tired getting into the the industry since I was 18 years old even as a laborer and they always wanted someone with 5-6 years of experience. I am 30 years old now, just recently did I find a company willing to give me a chance and hired me on as an operator because of my experience in the lumber industry running a shovel. I am thankful for the company that gave me a chance. Took me over 12 years of trying to get into the industry but I'm finally here.

just one comment about going the way of the union. 5 years go real quick, when i graduated i had 3 machines i could run haul truck front end loader and telehandler aka gradeall forklift, lots of competition in the industry for seats, do as he said and get the excavator and backhoe but then the problem of getting stick time and doing underground work lots of companies want 10 years experience which i dont have and many operators dont have for sewer and gas, just a reality of what i see in california

I don’t want to be a dick, but i have operated a few different pieces of equipment to include a dozer, excavator, backhoe and skidstear/bobcat. The total hours probably haven’t exceeded 100 but I personally don’t understand the whole classroom time part because the operating of equipment comes really easy to me to include being safe on a job site. Stuff like watching out for over head power lines, underground anything, other operators, buildings and making sure the machine is good to go just all comes naturally almost. How would i explain that with out being a dick?

Hopefully I get an answer...

But would you recommend the union or non-union route? I currently have a job, so I believe that I'd be ok if it took some time to get an apprenticeship.

But how saturated do you feel the apprenticeship application program is? I don't mind waiting and calling once or twice a month, but what's the application process truly like?

Or is it in your opinion a better option to find a small outfit, and then later join the union?

And if you can't tell, my endgame is being a union operator. My pops was IBEW, and after seeing what the union did for him, I think unions can be amazing.

I am a 16 year old in illinois what is the most i can do right now ?

I am a heavy equipment operator with the Army National Guard I went through the Army's school....do you think this will help?

Im a backhoe operator(utility) in Los Angeles, & this is true. Most companies even if they hire you as an operator they make you do labor work until they fully trust you & you wont touch the machine until you're about to pass probation. Then thats when the real fun starts.

Does this apply to a person who wants to become crane operator

Is heavy equipment operator school worth the money?

I live in AZ and out here they want experienced entry level laborers 🤔🤔🤔 so it's pretty frustrating.

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