Earning an Excavator Operator Credential for High School Graduates: A Fast Track to a Skilled Trade Career

As the summer approaches, there are countless high school students all over the country who are nearing graduation and wondering what to do next with their lives. High school graduates might consider earning a degree, which could take several years and be extremely expensive. Another option is finding a job right away, but without much experience, there are limited options available. One post-high school opportunity rises above the rest: earning your excavator operator credential. 

Excavator operation is an in-demand, high-paying career choice, and the required training will leave you feeling prepared without forcing you to go into debt. Better yet — excavator training doesn’t take years. If you’re a high school graduate looking for your next step, earning your excavator operator credential is a smart choice. Let’s explore why. 

Why Consider an Excavator Credential After High School? 

First, it’s important to understand what an excavator operator does. An excavator operator has many duties on a typical job site. These include digging, site prep, trenching, and demolition, and are common in many different industries, such as construction, mining, and public works. This role is important and is in-demand across various sectors. A heavy equipment operator can earn an average of $70,797, depending on location and experience.

In addition to strong job prospects and competitive pay with room for growth, earning your excavator operator credential is a much shorter time commitment compared to college. At PTS, our programs last only three weeks, meaning you can get ready for the job market faster. As an excavator operator, you won’t be stuck in an office all day either. You’ll be out performing hands-on work and gaining practical experience. 

Now that you understand why you should look into earning your excavator operator credential after high school, let’s dive into how to do it — and how PTS can help.

What to Expect from Excavator Operator Training

Before doing anything else, you’ll need to find a quality heavy equipment operator training program. That’s where PTS comes in. We’re one of the country’s leading training schools and we offer intensive heavy equipment operator programs so you can kickstart your new career. Here’s what you can expect from our courses: 

• Heavy Equipment Operator 1: In this course, you’ll learn how to operate a variety of equipment, including skid steers, wheel loaders, compactors, and more. This three-week class will also give you an introduction to earthmoving and soils, as well as heavy equipment safety and preventative maintenance. 
• Heavy Equipment Operator 2: This follow-up course will teach you how to operate excavators, bulldozers, scrapers, and motor graders. You’ll learn excavation math, as well as finishing and grading. Successfully completing this course will leave you qualified for a number of heavy equipment jobs.  

With our support, you can gain valuable practical experience as well as classroom instruction that will prepare you for an entry-level excavator position. PTS can help you confidently operate machines, while also learning about key safety protocols and equipment maintenance. We’ll prepare you to earn your NCCER credentials, which will appeal to potential employers as you begin your job search. Preparing for your excavator operator credential with PTS will lead to plenty of career opportunities and advancement. 

PTS Can Support Your Career Goals

At PTS, we’ve helped countless high school graduates figure out how to achieve their career dreams. If you want to discover other options besides college, earning your excavator operator credential can help you start a rewarding career — without the four-year degree. 

We can also help guide you through financial assistance opportunities, like state or federal grants that you can use to pay for training, such as the Trade Adjustment Act, Tribal Education, and more.  

It’s time to explore earning your excavator operator credential! Schedule a tour with PTS today to learn more and earn a $500 tuition reduction scholarship. We’re ready to dig into your future if you are.