For many people, learning how to operate heavy machinery represents the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Certainly, it can be a wonderful career move and a way to dramatically increase the income that you earn, among other great benefits. But even beyond that, what person hasn’t, as a child, watched the excavators at work and dreamt about being the one operating them? It’s certainly not a dream that’s out of reach. 

Whether you’re fulfilling a childhood fantasy or an adult ambition, you can learn how to use an excavator, crane, or other heavy machinery. Here are the steps you should take to get started: 

Ask Yourself: Is This Really for Me? 

Before you spend your time and effort learning how to use an excavator, you should consider if it’s a career path you’re truly interested in. Like any other career, it requires time, diligence, hard work, and patience to break into the industry. You have to ask yourself: Am I willing to put in the effort? Do I have the necessary drive to succeed? Am I ready to begin the occasionally difficult process of learning something new and useful? 

If you can answer yes to these questions, then learning how to use an excavator might just be for you. Heavy equipment operators can make as much as $64,610 a year—a significant pay bump for many people already in the construction business. In addition, by learning to operate excavators and other heavy machinery. You’ll be equipping yourself with skills that are in high demand, thereby greatly improving your chances of finding work in your area. 

Do I Have Any Skills That Will Translate? 

If you’re looking to operate excavators specifically, and you already have experience with other types of heavy equipment, you may be wondering if any of your past experience will come in handy. The answer is yes and no. As you learn to operate different types of heavy equipment, you’re liable to notice more similarities between them than differences. However, you’ll also realise that no two types of machinery are exactly alike, and therefore, studying one doesn’t mean you’re knowledgeable of the other. 

Your best option is to study as many different types of heavy equipment as you’re able. The more you learn, the more useful skills you’ll become equipped with. And the more easily you’ll learn the other types of heavy machinery. 

To answer the question, then, if you know how to operate other types of heavy machinery. You’ll still have to learn the excavator, although it will likely be easier for you than for absolute beginners. On the other hand, if you have never operated any kind of heavy equipment before, you might find that learning the excavator is just the beginning. And you’ll begin to take to other types of machinery more easily. 

What Other Education Do I Need? 

While every employer is different in its requirements when it comes to hiring, you don’t need any other qualifications to start learning to operate heavy equipment. No other schooling is required; you can simply start learning. Of course, having past construction experience helps if you are job hunting. However, it’s often not required either. All you need to get started are a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things. 

Finding Training in Your Area 

An excavator is an extremely powerful piece of machinery and can be dangerous if operated by an untrained person. In fact, many companies simply won’t hire you unless you have credentials from the National Center for Construction Education and Research, or NCCER. While there are many skills in life that you can teach yourself. Operating heavy equipment like an excavator shouldn’t be among them. You’ll want to find a well-reputed, NCCER-certified training center. 

Keep in mind, also, that not all training centers are created equal. In fact, a good training center can be particularly hard to find. It’s no surprise why; after all, you’re asking a lot of your instructors. They need to have all the proper certifications, as well as be able to handle teaching both a classroom portion and fieldwork. 

Class size

Overly full classrooms are another logistical element that can create headaches for prospective heavy equipment trainees. Even if the instructors are excellent and highly experienced, if they’re trying to juggle too many students, the training will suffer. The key to successful excavator equipment training is skilled instructors, with real-world experience, and small classroom sizes. You don’t want to be spending half of your training time simply waiting around to take your turn using the equipment. You want to be practising as much as you possibly can! 

Fortunately, while it can be a challenge to find a great heavy equipment training school, it’s not at all hard if you live in the Pacific Northwest (or are willing to travel there). If you’re lucky enough to be there, you can simply head to West Coast Training. They offer an eight-week heavy equipment operator training course. Which offers the perfect balance of classroom learning and practical, on-the-job training. When you have completed the course, you’ll walk away with extensive experience with not only excavators, but backhoes, dozers, loaders, graders, scrapers, and more. 

After Your Training 

Once you’ve completed West Coast Training’s eight-week heavy equipment course, your work isn’t done. In fact, it’s just beginning, because now you’ll be finding work so that you can apply your newfound skills. Often, this can be the hardest part for people learning how to operate heavy equipment like the excavator. They’ll get the skills down no problem but have no idea how to go about looking for work afterwards. 

A good training program, however—such as the one offered by West Coast Training. Won’t just teach you how to use the equipment. It’ll also help you put together a resume and begin looking for work. Often, the trainers can also put you in touch with businesses that are hiring people with your specific skill set. This is another reason why proper training is so critical; getting the right job afterwards depends on it.