Why Investing in a Heavy Equipment Class Is a Strong Career Move for Military Veterans

There are many challenges veterans can face when leaving the military, such as encountering pressure to find stable, well-paying work quickly. When transitioning from a military to a veteran career, heavy equipment operation is an often-overlooked but powerful job choice. Investing in a heavy equipment class offers veterans strong job security, competitive pay, transferable skills, and a mission-driven work environment. Learn how PTS is designed to help veterans transition smoothly and successfully into civilian life.

Why Heavy Equipment Careers Are Perfect for Military Veterans

With heavy equipment operation, veterans can easily transfer skills they already have, such as discipline, reliability, and accountability. They are often able to work under pressure, and have experience working in team-based, focused environments. Additionally, they are used to adhering to important safety procedures, and can handle both structured schedules and clear expectations.

Heavy equipment operation offers long-term career stability and strong job demand. With a nationwide demand for skilled operators, you can expect to find employment in a variety of essential industries, including construction, transportation, and infrastructure. With an aging workforce and a recession-resistant industry, there are plenty of public and private sector job opportunities for veterans looking to get started with heavy equipment operation.

Here, there is no four-year degree required, so after completing a comprehensive heavy equipment class like the kind PTS offers, you can expect a faster return on investment compared to college, lower student debt, and the ability to start earning more quickly. Employers prefer formally trained operators because they operate more safely and efficiently. That’s why finding the right heavy equipment training school, particularly one that supports veterans, is so essential.

A Closer Look at How PTS Supports Veterans

We offer hands-on, practical instruction paired with in-the-seat experience that leaves you feeling prepared and confident for the real world. With small class sizes for more personalized instruction and experienced instructors, some of whom have military backgrounds, our three-week heavy equipment class will leave you ready to tackle the job search.

Our course offerings include:

• Heavy equipment operator 1: Here, you will learn how to operate a skid steer, wheel loader, compactor, backhoe, and articulated off-road dump truck, as well as gain an introduction to earthmoving, soils, safety protocols, and more.
• Heavy equipment operator 2: In this follow-up class, you will learn how to operate a bulldozer, scraper, excavator, and motor grader. You’ll also be exposed to grades, site work, excavation math, and more.

PTS understands the unique challenges veterans can face when returning to civilian life. As a Military FriendlyⓇ institution, we have helped countless veterans find their footing after completing their service, and we can help them understand how to use their Post-9/11 GI BillⓇ benefits for our heavy equipment class.

One of our recent program participants, Shea, finished up the Heavy Equipment Operator 2 course and had this to say about his experience: “All the instructors are a wealth of knowledge and there’s tons to learn here.” As a veteran who was ready to make a career change, Shea highly recommends PTS. “This school is very GI BillⓇ-friendly and they work very proficiently and effectively on getting that process taken care of,” Shea says. “So if it’s something you’re looking into as a veteran, I highly recommend it.” We have a large number of student success stories here that you can check out to see how we’ve helped build careers that last.

Completing a heavy equipment class at PTS is a smart investment for veterans and can be a fast path to employment and long-term growth. PTS is a trusted partner in the transition process from military service to civilian life, and we’re here to help you figure out your next step. Schedule a tour of our facility to earn a $500 tuition scholarship and see how PTS can help you make smart career moves.