Machine Operation & Maintenance

[eskimike08]

Well i would go down to the local operating engineers office or a union of that type and apply for their apprentice training.

[littledigger]

I agree with the farm equipment experience helping and the labor work also helps but don't agree with the having to be on the end of the shovel for two years.  I have a machine I operate quite regularly in my buisness and went from working on a farm and maintaining and running equipment to owning own buisness,mind you I had 30 years background in the carpentry trade and have done my share of labor work . Buisnesses now are feeling the pinch of insurance and more and more require certification on equipment . Remember certification training is only part of it though. experience and working under stressful conditions and with deadlines be they given or  weather inflicted all help a person become a seasoned operator.

When the going gets tough ,keep looking forward

[irishman999]

Hello all I just joined and thought I would add a little bit to this awesome forum I am happy to be a part of! I got my start at a power plant operating a 777D, I wore that **bleep** truck out and really enjoyed my time in it. It took labor and some crap jobs to get to that spot but was well worth it. My best advice is never take yourself too serious and get ready to be cut down if you work for a construction company, try to always keep a cool level head and DON'T RUN YOUR MACHINE OUT OF DIESEL. 

If you prefer cab time over shovel time apply at your nearest open pit mine, from what I can tell they don't require experience to drive haul trucks, just a aptitude for safety and ability to learn.

[dinosaurdoctor]

U.S. Navy Construction Battalion  ( Sea Bees )

Many  equipment operators started there.