NEXT PROS: Winston Raney, Heavy Equipment Operator
By Arkansas Next staff on Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Winston Raney
Hometown: Fordyce | Age: 27 | Where I trained: University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College | What I earned: Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License | Job title: Surfacing Gang Foreman | Employer: Union Pacific Railroad in North Little Rock
What does a heavy equipment operator do?
Heavy equipment operators utilize heavy machinery often used in construction. They also clean, control, maintain, inspect and repair the machines.
“I get to work at 6:30 a.m. and begin my day with reading the safety rules. Before 10, I have to send in a curfew request and a signal report ticket to the train dispatcher for the next day’s work so they can start planning their routes. After working on the track, I complete our production report.” – Winston
Responsibilities
• Clean, maintain, operate and store heavy equipment.
• Check equipment daily to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Work with crew members to coordinate machine actions.
• Follow regulations to ensure that the job is done safely.
• Work with computers and other technology to increase efficiency.
• Communicate with train dispatchers to help them plan routes.
• Make repairs or report problems.
• Complete a production report at the end of the day.
Job Outlook
+10%
Expected growth from 2016 to 2026 in Arkansas.
450
Average annual job openings in Arkansas.
3,950
Jobs in Arkansas by 2026.
This option is for you if:
√ You have good hand-eye-foot coordination.
√ You’re great under pressure.
√ You can recognize and adapt to changing conditions.
√ You love big trucks and machines.
√ You’re dependable and trustworthy
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$49,420
Median wages in Arkansas
$35,430 Annual
$17.03 Hourly
START YOUR TRAINING
| East Arkansas Community College |
| North Arkansas College |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology – McGehee |
| University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College |
READY TO HIRE YOU
| Arkansas Electric Cooperatives |
| CalArk International |
| CenterPoint Energy |
| Lexicon Inc. |
| Simmons Foods Inc. & Affiliates |
| Union Pacific Railroad |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and CareerOneStop.org
