Steps to Become an Excavator Operator

Posted by Siteworks Solutions on June 20th, 2016

Excavator operators are basically construction workers who utilize excavators for preparing sites and moving materials for the construction of structures and dwellings like roads, bridges, facilities and buildings. Even though no formal education is required for this form of job, still a combination of career training and education can result in good job placement and advancement.

Job Requirements

The job profile of an excavator operator basically revolves round controlling heavy machinery utilized for digging trenches and holes and for transporting industrial materials or raw materials. An excavator requires being in extremely good physical shape and needs to have excellent vision and mechanical aptitude. They may require performing routine maintenance on the vehicles which they operate. For ensuring that they are more marketable to their potential employers in the construction filed, the operators need learning how to safely operate other construction automobiles like forklifts and bulldozers.

Steps to become an Excavator Operator

Step: 1

Earning a High School Diploma

Most of the employers necessitate that the excavator operator needs having a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. The operator can initiate to take courses to their high school level like computer science, mechanics, auto shop, science etc.

Step: 2

Obtaining the Required Licenses

For applying for the job position of the operator, a driving license is a must. Some of the employers may even ask for a commercial driving license. The requirement for commercial driving license may differ from one state to the other. Employers may even choose workers that boast of an industry certification which is in relation to the type of equipment they operate.

Step: 3

Completing an Excavator Course

Some of the employers hire applicants who have little or even no formal training. But most of the serious construction companies choose only those applicants that hold the certification of an excavator course. Actually, going through formal training, the workers can understand their job well and develop the skills for doing their jobs to perfection. Apart from undertaking a course, the workers may also be trained on job under the strict supervision of an experienced operator. The common topics for the training course include backfilling, trenching, traffic control and vehicle safety. The trainees may use heavy equipment simulators for learning the skills of operating construction vehicles.

Step: 4

Getting Construction Work Experience

Typically, the construction workers start their career at the entry level and work under the supervision of qualified operators. They usually start with operating small vehicles and when they develop the skills gradually, they may progress to operating larger industrial vehicles.

To develop the skills and ensure good job prospective, the aspirants can effectively enroll in a bobcat training program or excavator operating course!