hello my name is Tyler, im located in Leavenworth ks and intrested in heavy equipment. my question is how can i come about being a operator? any help would be great thanks
i was born into it....THANK GOD!!.SO I am not much help to you. How about it guys....... help this guy out
Tyler, One way is to get into an apprenticeship program with your local operating engineers in your area. I would have to say a good amount of the people on HEF were raised around it in some way, shape, or form. Another way is possibly to find a small contractor who would be willing to teach you. It might not be the greatest pay, and you might start out doing something else besides operating. If you see anyone around your area running machines ask them for some help with your question also.
My advise is to try and get hired on as a laborer and work your way up into the seat. Work hard, dont be a smart ass, and prove to the boss and other operators what you want. Most companies will not hire someone to operate thier equipment without some experince. Or you could try an apprenticeship program with the Operators Union. I dont know strong the Unions are in Kansas, but its worth a try. Same thing goes there. Work hard, do what ever the bosses ask of you and dont be a jerk. At least with an apprentiship program, you will get some training before you go work. Either way, you're gonna start at the bottom. Whether you're running a number 2 shovel or a roller or scraper. You cant expect to get on the finish blade or mass excavator in the first week! Good luck, hope I was of some help. Jason
local 101 union off 273 take 92 west from levenworth to 45 not 45 spur head north out of beverly to 273 take a right go down about 1 2 miles its on your left hand side big black fence long waiting list to get in there
As all the above have said, labouring is your best bet to get your foot in the door, i started off washing trucks and been a mechanics hand,,,now i have just turned 19 and have a permanent position as an allrounder operator.
And biggest thing, if you decide to work your way up don't slack off! Be nice to everyone but don't be seen sitting on your rear and stay away from the group of workers are that are always negative and whining.
Thanks guys i appreciate the info. i was born around it but do not have the connections to get into it like i would have liked. My plans are to start out as a laborer and work my way up to the operating part. as far as bobcat where were you saying this place was located?
yup start out on the bottom and work your way up. ive always been obsessed with equipment but strayed from it for a few years and im back at it. im wokring for a small company now that does mostly commercial and federal concrete work. (postal service). im the operator, trucker(they helped me get my class A), mechanic and laborer. once you get into the seat dont be too proud to grab a shovel when needed. good luck Frank
Over in the Personnel forums theres a fella from Wyoming that states plenty of work exists out there.
There seems to be a bit of work down by Gardner along I-35. While you won't get hired right now because of the weather for any position, persistence has it's rewards. Start checking with foremen on job's now, perhaps checking with them on Monday's, they say no, tell them you'll check next Monday and then show up. Repeat as necessary. If you can travel to where there is a big job, or area, that's short handed, that's a good way to go too. And listen to what Curly said.
I was also wondering the same thing, but it seems like a local Civils firm with 3 excavators, a grader, 4 or 5 TLBs, a Payloader, rollers, bulldozer etc, might take me on once the building industry opens, around the 15 January, and my family knows the owners family and what not. I would do anything, from washing to operating their spare 416B. He says he will take both my brother and I on, so ya, if all goes according to plan...