The construction industry holds various employment opportunities for freshers and construction enthusiasts. These positions help you to make a handsome amount of money along with growing career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says a crane operator in the United States makes over $60,000 annually. You need to have a good skillset and experience if you want to earn such an amount and grow your career in the construction sector. You should complete your education and professional training first to proceed towards your destination. You have to invest time in building your skills to operate heavy equipment.
5 Key Steps to Become a Crane Operator
Reading this guide, you will understand how you can become a crane operator. The 5 important steps that can help you operate heavy equipment are shared below.
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High School Degree
You need to complete your high school education first before jumping into this field. Cranes for sale are powerful and advanced machines. Such heavy equipment demands a basic knowledge of science and technology. You will understand why a high school certificate is needed to become a crane operator once you have completed your high school. Your education will allow you to operate your heavy equipment safely, and also check and record the maintenance of your machine.
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Vocational Education
Vocational or trade school training will further polish your skills and increase the knowledge that you obtain in high school. These training are the best alternative to a 4-year bachelor’s program as they are less expensive and upgraded courses. Trade school will give you hands-on training in various engineering subjects. These subjects include major construction industry operations. Vocational training will help you learn better about heavy equipment like how to operate a crane effectively keeping safety measures in mind. Trade schools support their students in finding good opportunities once they complete their training. You must enroll yourself in a heavy equipment operator training course to be able to handle these powerful heavy-duty machines.
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Apprenticeship Training
You can boost your career in the construction industry earlier by enrolling yourself in an apprenticeship training program. There are many advantages of joining this training earlier in your career. You will learn better by performing any task under the supervision of an experienced heavy equipment operator. You will get free mentorship and guidance from your senior that will benefit you in the long run in your career in the construction industry. If you decide to expand your horizons and not limit yourself to just a crane operator, you must do specialized training. Apprenticeship will enable you to operate various heavy-duty machinery like tower cranes, mobile cranes, etc. You can build good connections in the industry during your apprenticeship program. These connections will benefit you in finding good job opportunities in your industry.
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Certification
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that every crane operator must get certified by the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO). These certifications will help you to operate other heavy equipment like truck cranes and boom crawlers. You need to perform well in both written and practical examinations by showcasing your ability to operate the heavy equipment you want to get certification. You might find this process too long and demanding, but on the other hand, this long process will help you to understand and safely operate heavy-duty machinery like cranes in the construction industry.
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Job Hunting
Prepare a recent-looking resume that projects your education, skills, certifications, and industry experience. Your resume must speak to why a recruiter should select you. You can find a good opportunity if your resume is well-crafted. Find crane operator jobs online and start applying for those opportunities. Build your portfolio on LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and ZipRecruiter. These all are top-rated job sites. Search construction jobs on these websites and apply on a regular basis. You must connect with the industry people you build good connections with during your training period and ask them for recommendations in a heavy equipment company.
Becoming a crane operator can be tough but once you start reaping the fruits your pain will disappear. As per experts, the construction industry will grow in the coming 5-10 years. That means you will have many good opportunities once you become a certified crane operator. This guide shares all the important steps for becoming a crane operator. Become a heavy equipment operator by following these steps and advance your career in the construction industry.