Heavy Equipment Operator School in MassachusettsIn the construction industry is where you can make a good career and a comfortable living if you want to be a heavy equipment operator.

If you have the desire to be one of the workforces who man such heavy machines, you need to be trained first by a heavy equipment operator school in Massachusetts.

Though, there are only a few of them in this state.

Graduates will acquire a variety of knowledge and competency in the safe operation of heavy equipment and be able to do their job well.

If you’ve got the interest in joining this career, here are the schools where you can enroll and have the proper education:

 

 

  • International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 4
    Worcester Office:
    East Side Improvement Club, 170 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA 01604
    Tel: 508-754-9412

    Dorchester Office:
    Local #534 Hall, 7 Frederika Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

    Tel: 617-269-1330
    Taunton Office:
    Local Union No. 223, 475 Myles Standish Blvd.
    Taunton, MA 02780

  • Greenfield Community College
    One College Drive, Greenfield, MA 01301
    Through the college’s continuing education department, students can complete a course in the operation of heavy equipment, for more information, you may contact them at:
    413-775-1000 (Main) 413-775-1801 (Admission)
    Fax 413-775-1827 Storm line 413-775-1010

  • Massasoit Community College
    49 Union Street, Middleborough, MA
    One Massasoit Blvd., Brockton, MA 02302
    Dial Direct: 508-588-9100; or Toll Free: 1-800-CAREERS
    Offers Associate of Applied Science in Diesel Technology and also gives students supplementary training in the operation of heavy equipment.

 

 

Attending a Heavy Equipment Training School Has Become Important

Attending a heavy equipment operator school has become compulsory whether you have or don’t have prior experience in this field. When you’re scouring for a job, the hiring manager will look at what school you graduated from. They’re looking for well-trained and educated operators. Yes, they may look at how much experience you’ve attained in this field, but formal education is as important as well.

Aside from that, the heavy equipment operator school gives their graduates different services such as immediate employment, career guidance, job application preparation and more. The students can guarantee receiving skills and competency and support to land a satisfying job.

Lastly, the training school will keep you up-to-date on the applicable government regulations and relevant issues regarding this industry and in any changes in rules.

 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Attend School 

You may already know it by now that enrolling in heavy equipment training is expensive and may burn a hole in your pocket.

The tuition may stretch from $8,000 to $13,500 depending on the types of equipment you want to have training on.

Other expenses such as registration and administration fees are not included with the tuition. You may also have to pay for the training materials.

When you think about the amount of wage you can make being an operator, you mot not think twice. Heavy equipment operators in this state are one of the highest-paid skills. You can make as much as $68,000 to $72,000 annually. If you want to know the salary you would get, see below.

One of the ways to pay for your training is by applying for a grant. If you are not eligible for a grant, avail of the training school’s flexible payment scheme and discount.

 

 

How Long is the Heavy Equipment Operator Training

The duration of the training will depend on the skill level you have, the training level you want to take and the school where you enroll.

Some courses stretch up to 8 weeks, others can be completed in 17 weeks depending on the training package.

During this training period, you will gain practical knowledge and skills that will help you prosper in your career in this industry.

You may also be required to complete an apprenticeship program. You can enroll in such a program in IUOE Local 4, see above for their contact details.

The average apprenticeship training may take 3 to 4 years to complete, this includes on-paid the-job training and classroom instruction.

Application of Hoisting Operator License in Massachusetts

You need a hosting license under the 520 CMR 6.00 regulation if you operate hosting equipment that has the ability to hoist over 10 feet, and has either the capability to lift over 500 pounds capacity of loads or if the equipment has the bucket that has a load capacity of over 1/4 cubic yards.

If you don’t have one yet and you’re planning to apply for such a license, here are the steps you need to do:

  1. Complete The Requirements – under the regulation, you must be at least 18 years old and above at the time of application; completed hoisting machinery application form (you can download the form here); a copy of your driver’s license, learner’s permit, or Mass ID; a current and clear photo with the size of 2”x2”; if you don’t have a photo, you may grant permission to gain access to your record on Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles system and can be attested in the hoisting machinery application form (access can only be granted if you’re a resident of this state); a copy of your recent DOT physical and medical test certificate (get a copy of the medical certificate here); you may need to submit a copy of the Intrastate Medical Waiver from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, or the ANSI/ASME B30.5-2014 qualifications for operators (download it from here); and lastly an application fee of $75 (as of this writing this the current fee you need pay).

  2. Submit the Requirements - send the application to the Department of Public Safety, Cashier’s Division, 1 Ashburton Place, Room 1301, Boston, MA 02108.

  3. Booking of the Test Schedule – When you’ve completed and submitted the requirements, you’ll be arranged to take the exams. The testing takes place every final week of the month, if you submitted and processed your requirements in March, you are scheduled to take the test in the last week of April. You will receive your schedule (time and place) two before your exam date. If there’s a voluminous amount of applications, it may take a longer time to process.

  4. Take The Exam – the tests are to be administered by the Mass Department of Public Safety. The practical part of the test is to test your hands-on knowledge in the operation of the hoisting equipment, its safe operating practices, equipment maintenance and inspection, and hands signals. In order to pass the tests, you need to have knowledge regarding the Massachusetts State Statutes and Regulations, General Laws, c. 146, §§ 53-54A, and §§ 64-67, applicable OSHA regulations, and Massachusetts Regulations 520 CMR 6.00. You will have to study the owner’s and safety manual of the equipment you want to be tested on.

If you failed the exam, you may not be able to apply immediately to retake the test. The test can only be taken once every 60 days, you will have to wait for that period to retake the test.

You need to accomplish 4 hours of continuing education in your specific field as one of the requirements when renewing your hoisting operator license.

Being a Crane Operator in this State

Heavy equipment operators don’t confine working with loaders, excavators, trucks, or loaders, he may also operate cranes. If part or major of your job responsibilities are operating cranes, Massachusetts is one of the states that license crane operators. You will have to apply for a hoisting operator license to operate cranes.

Presently there are 16 states and 7 cities that have licensing requirements for crane operators and Massachusetts is one of them. Aside from New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, Massachusetts doesn’t recognize or require NCCCO certification.

If you are CCO-certified, you may not be able to use your certification in this state if you will work here. You will have to possess a hoisting operator license by passing the Department of Public Safety exam. Application for such license is stated above if you want to apply.
But you can still use your NCCCO certification as proof of experience and skill in the operation of the crane when you are prospecting for a job. You can submit this credential to an employer; the company may perceive it as your asset. You could land a job and receive a better offer if you have that experience.

 

 

Salary of Heavy Equipment Operator Working in Massachusetts

According to the March28, 2023 survey of Salary.com, here are the cities and towns of Massachusetts that offer the best wage for heavy equipment operators. 

   

Arlington $78,930 Marblehead $78,790
Attleboro Falls $73,720 Medford $78,930
Babson Park $78,930 Milton $78,930
Boston $78,930 New Bedford $74,538
Brockton $76,499 Newton Center $78,930
Brookline $78,930 Peabody $78,836
Cambridge $78,930 Pittsfield $71,516
Chicopee $73,189 Plymouth $75,697
Fall River $74,538 Quincy $78,930
Framingham $76,219 Reading $76,645
Hanscom Afb $77,617 Salem $78,836
Haverhill $74,818 Somerville $78,930
Holyoke $73,189 Springfield $73,189
Hyannis Port $74,296 Taunton $76,429
Lawrence $74,818 Waltham $78,930
Lincoln $78,883 Westfield $73,189
Lowell $76,422 Westwood $77,656
Lynn $78,930 Woburn $78,930

 

While in the state of Connecticut, the wage is almost the same. 

 

 

To Finalize a Conclusion

The demand for qualified operators shows strong and steady growth. It has been projected by the US BLS; the demand will continue to climb in the next coming years. This means job security, better pay, and a good retirement plan and compensation package.

If you don’t have yet the training, you may have to spend the time and effort in attending a heavy equipment operator school in Massachusetts.


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