Hi, I'm in the Navy right now, but I really want to get into construction in the future when I get out, but I have no experience.I've heard that a good idea to get your foot in the door is to take a class to operate heavy equipment. I've researched a couple companies who do classes like that, like ATS, but most of them last months. I want to take classes like this, but I don't think I'll be able to take leave long enough to take one of these classes. Are there any other ways to get some lessons for equipment like dozers, graders, excavators, etc. in a shorter time period? Thanks.
I'm X with construction schools
I really don't know. However, please consider the economy right now; construction workers everywhere are being laid-off and many homeless. Otherwise, construction can be a very rewarding career, but maybe you should wait a yr or so and see how things shake out.
Probably not. To learn to safely operate a number of different pieces of equipment like this you need lots of hands on experience and that takes some time. If a school offers a shorter program do not trust them. The best way to get into construction is to get into a 4 year apprenticeship program and learn a trade from the bottom up. Supplement your experience with training at a community college. If you are young enough you might consider learning two trades for flexibility and then get into a construction management course or an architecture program. Electical, Carpentry, HVAC, Plumbing are all good programs. Autocad and some construction management or business courses would really round you out well. Construction can be a very rewarding career but there are no shortcuts. You need a combination of schooling and OJT to be successful.
