I'm looking at a couple of things myself. I was working for a vending machine company for 11 years running their computers (everything is getting a computer) and working on their handhelds. I worked myself up in that from a route driver to machine repair and finally into the office.
But I hated it. I'm in my mid 30's now and I lost the job (I just couldn't take it so I don't know if you can call it a loss). Anyway I'm trying to get into a operators school while my seperation pay and unemployment last.
I think its the right way to go because I have a lot of forklift experience and ran a light tractor at a nursery and helped out with my Uncles farm (International Harvester with a bailer that spit out the cubes). Anyway I always liked that. The computer stuff was nice but I only ever got into computers because of video games. Along the way I've picked up on some college, some accounting, some mechanical work, and had several years in the army running an M113. It's in the running the equipment I was always happiest in though.
Anyway I've been looking at the schools and it looks like that most of them are tied in with each other and run similar programs. I was looking at Ohio but I'm opting out of that one because of the 4600 price tag on a CDL vs. 800 or so at my local community college.
I was looking at the Georgia School of Construction and the content on blue prints, grading, and CPR certification caught my eye so I am looking at getting in on that. Also the aspects covering math caught my attention also.
If I was a younger guy (and I wish I had done things different), I would start out as a laborer and learn equipment that way. But I'm not. I'm hoping that the combination of the GSC program and hard work and a little luck will see me into a good paying job. I've seen a lot of complaints about lack of work in some areas but Brunswick and New Hanover counties are two of the fastest growing areas in the USA (up there with Las Vegas) and with three military bases and 3 ports (a fourth coming on soon) and a lot of major highway projects that I can catch on to something.
But who knows. I have been out of a job for less than a week. But everyone needs to be enthusiastic about what they do. I think computers/internet can help you learn and I read more stuff on a computer than a book, but I really don't want to go back inside. I could spend months and not see the sun sometimes (exageration).
Anyway maybe taking a school is cheating...I just know that there are no Unions or Community Colleges around here that teach equipment operator. We've talked with a lot of the big companies (Martin Marietta, Port of Wilmington, etc.) and they said they usually hire through the temp agencies. I figure worse case scenario is that if I go through a temp agency that they are more likely to send me to a Martin Marietta if I can say I've got training on different equipment.
I'm glad I found this forum though and I've enjoyed reading the threads.