The opportunities for women in the construction field are more abundant than ever, and those entering the career path of heavy equipment operator will find that the job description has a lot to offer both genders. Heavy equipment training for women has sparked a great amount of interest as women continue to break through the concrete ceiling, and further extinguish the part that gender roles play in the construction world.
Identification
Heavy equipment can be clarified as machinery that is used to move and relocate oversize building materials, and pieces of earth, on a construction site. Sometimes referred to as "earth movers," these monstrous machines should only be operated by skilled workers. Bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes and motor graders are just some of the pieces of heavy equipment that a woman may learn to operate while in training.
Time Frame
Heavy equipment training classes consist of the same amount of learning time, whether you are a man or a woman. Most classes last three weeks depending on the level of certification that is sought. Each level consists of classroom education and construction site hands on training, and often includes OSHA training modules as well as, written testing. Some companies do offer apprenticeship programs that involve training in a wide variety of heavy machinery. These apprenticeship programs usually last three years and also consist of class time and paid, on site training.
Considerations
Women who are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator must be in good physical health. It is also necessary to have a good sense of balance, since elevated heights can be involved in the daily work environment and good hand and eye coordination. And because of the stereotypes associated with women working in the construction field; confidence, the willingness to succeed and a sense of humor doesn't hurt. Also, proper safety equipment such as steel-toed boots, insulated clothing and gloves must be worn when necessary.
Benefits
Women who train as heavy equipment operators receive certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), coupled with a commercial driver's license (CDL) that will make them highly qualified and suitable to compete in a job market that was once thought of as only for men.
Potential
As society develops and continues to build bigger and better structures that can adapt to our ever changing lifestyles, the need for heavy equipment operators will also continue to grow. An increasing number of vocational technical schools are beginning to offer training classes in heavy equipment, which accept financial aid and job placement. Specialty heavy equipment training schools can be found through your local department of education and on the World Wide Web.
Misconceptions
The construction site is often thought of as a man's place of work, but women are beginning to show a greater interest in proving that such a misconception is just not true. As a matter of fact, women of all ages are beginning to take advantage of the open doors that construction and the operation of heavy equipment has to offer. Women are not only excelling in heavy equipment classes, but also finding that the machinery is not as difficult to handle as they had once thought. Some women are even beginning to recognize their natural talents for operating large pieces of equipment.
