Brightline West and California High-Speed Rail are staffing multi-year heavy construction in 2026. Here's what the boom means for crane and equipment operators.
Getting into a project of this scale starts with the same foundation regardless of which specialty you're aiming for: documented training and, for crane work, formal certification. ATS trains on the heavy equipment categories that large energy and infrastructure builds depend on, and our crane operator apprenticeship vs. trade school guide breaks down how to plan your path into the trade.
Most heavy equipment operation doesn't require a CDL. Here's exactly where federal rules draw the line, and when a CDL actually comes into play.
What does an excavator operator really make? National averages, state-by-state pay, and what actually moves your salary upward.
Crane hand signals follow a standardized system under OSHA and ASME B30.5. Here's what the core signals are, why they're standardized, and how certification works.
The GI Bill can cover up to $30,000/yr for heavy equipment operator training at ATS. Here's which benefit fits you and how to apply it before you enroll.
Before you enroll in CDL school, confirm you qualify. This guide covers age rules, the DOT medical exam, disqualifying offenses, and the 3-part skills test.
Not every heavy equipment training program is worth your money. Here's what to ask about seat time, accreditation, financial aid, and Career Services before you commit.
No experience? Here's how to break into heavy equipment operation, what training covers, what employers look for, and what entry-level operators actually earn starting out.
From load charts to pick-and-carry lifts, this guide covers mobile crane operator training, NCCCO certification requirements, salary data, and how ATS prepares you.