How Do I Become a Construction Equipment Operator?

Your path to becoming a construction equipment operator will be determined by your location, since some types of equipment may require you to become licensed in some areas. It will also depend on the type of equipment you want to operate, as well as its size and employer requirements for operation. To find out exactly what the requirements are in your area, speak with someone at your local career college or with someone in a position to hire you as a construction equipment operator.

In many cases you will need a special license to run heavy machinery. This may vary based on the type of machine, the size, and where you live. If a specific license or certification requirement does exist in your area, you will likely need to attend classes in order to learn needed skills and then take an examination. Both written work and a driving test may be required for the construction equipment operator testing procedures. Class length and type may vary depending on location and current skills.

If you already have all the needed licensing to become a construction equipment operator, or you wish to operate machinery which doesn't require any special licensing, you will only need to find an employer looking for someone to operate his machinery on job sites. You can do this in one of several ways, or through using a combination of methods. Look on online job sites, check your local paper's want ads, and call around to various construction crews to determine who is hiring equipment operators.

Some employers may want you to have a certain number of years experience before hiring you to become a construction equipment operator. You may have to begin working as a general laborer or you may work with machinery that is much smaller and easier to handle than the ones you wish to operate. As you gain more experience and employers see that you can do a good job, you will likely move up and get to work with more challenging machines. If you already have contacts in the construction industry or have experience operating any type of construction machinery, you will likely have a much easier time finding a job.

You may also start your own business as a construction equipment operator. This would still require you to get any government mandated licensing, but you would work for yourself helping various contractors on construction sites. The cost of this option is generally much higher than becoming an employee because you would be responsible for purchasing all necessary equipment.