Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 2011, Performance Training Solutions (PTS) is a heavy equipment and crane training school, located in Thornville, Ohio, a suburb east of Columbus. We provide education and support for those looking to learn how to operate cranes, backhoes, skid steers, wheel loaders, off-road dump trucks, and more. This training and knowledge is needed to obtain and hold careers in many different industries. Learn more about PTS here.

PTS is licensed by the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools Ohio and educational boards in other states where it conducts business. The Heavy Equipment Training is accredited through NCCER (www.nccer.org). Mobile Crane Operations training provides certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO, www.nccco.org). If you have any other questions, please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting.

PTS provides the following training programs at our Ohio facility:

• Heavy Equipment Training I
• Heavy Equipment Training II
• Mobile Crane Operations
• Ohio Class-A CDL Commercial Driver’s License

Download our course catalog below to learn more about these courses. Our admissions team would be happy to speak in-depth with you about these classes. Please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more.

Deciding on a program usually depends entirely on you, the student — taking into account your interests and career goals. Our admissions team would be happy to walk you through the training programs themselves and the opportunities available after graduation. Learn more about the courses you might be interested in here. Please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to talk about options with our admissions team.

There are numerous advantages to getting trained as an operator at PTS:

• Training is faster than obtaining a two- or four-year college degree
• The cost of training is far less when compared to college tuition
• You can start earning a strong income faster to support your family
• We will always be here to support you after graduation with career assistance
• You’re always welcome to return for a refresher on a piece of equipment
• We offer information regarding funding options and accept many grants
• We support our veterans and accept many VA programs for funding

To learn more about how training at PTS can benefit you specifically, please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting.

All heavy equipment and crane operator training programs are three-week, 120-clock-hour programs. You are expected to remain local and attend training each weekday. There is no training on weekends, so you may return home if you choose to, on those days. Our Prep & Test programs range from three days to five days and are also on-site programs. If you have any other questions about the duration of our training, please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting.

CERTIFICATION for Cranes — According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, anyone seeking to operate a crane that weighs 2,000 pounds or more must first be CERTIFIED by an accredited crane operator testing organization or qualified through an audited employer program. For the vast majority of future crane operators, this means achieving certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). At PTS, once you complete your crane operator program you will face NCCCO examinations. Once those exams are passed, you will receive formal certification. You can continue to pursue additional training (on other crane types for instance) but there is no other next step needed in order to find employment.

ACCREDITATION for Heavy Equipment — When learning to operate wheel loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, and more, however, students will NOT receive certification (or the opportunity to test for it) at the end of their training. Instead, when the training is complete students will receive a CREDENTIAL from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). By becoming accredited with NCCER, students have demonstrated they completed an NCCER-sanctioned curriculum. Once training is completed and the credential secured, students can immediately go out and seek employment. There is no other step or additional training required.

Learn more about the difference here.

PTS does not offer meals or lodging as part of our tuition cost. However, some grants may assist with these needs. We will gladly provide recommendations to lodging options near our school that offer reduced rates for PTS students. Please contact us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and many other employment-related agencies and experts have noted that the demand for heavy equipment and crane operators will continue to grow well into the 2020s. With high demand nationwide, individuals trained in the operation of this equipment have strong prospects for employment right after graduation. And with our 90% placement rate, you’ll be in a strong position to obtain a job using your skills and earning a high income. Visit our blog for more insights on the need for heavy equipment and crane operators. If you have any other questions, please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting.

PTS offers nationwide, lifetime, career assistance for all graduates, regardless of how long it’s been since you attended our school. This includes helping you find new career opportunities and welcoming you back to our school for a refresher on any of our equipment. Learn more about our career assistance services. If you have additional questions, please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting.

Our courses range in price according to the program, complexity, and goal. Our equipment training classes have higher tuition costs, whereas our Prep & Test programs, which are designed to help experienced students prepare for certification or recertification tests, have lower tuition costs. Please call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more about the costs of the program best suitable for you.

Performance Training Solutions serves many students who are funded by training grants through programs such as the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act and the Trade Adjustment/Readjustment Act. Depending on your circumstances, these training grants may include additional funds for lodging, transportation, and meals. 

There are also different state and federal grants that individuals may be eligible for that can be used to pay for training. Examples of some of these programs are the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), Tribal Education (BIA), WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Vocational Rehabilitation and Veteran’s Benefits (VA), Department of Workforce Development, Displaced Workers, and Displaced Farmers.

Call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more.

Thank you for your service! PTS is a designated 2020–2021 Military Friendly® School and proudly accepts the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and the VA’s Vocational Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program Chapter 31 benefits. Call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more about these programs and how we can help you navigate the process.

Although we only operate the one training facility located in Columbus, Ohio, we welcome students from anywhere in the U.S.! As long as you can make the necessary arrangements and are able to stay local during training, you’re welcome at PTS. Learn more about the areas where most of our students come from. Call us at 866-248-9139 or schedule a meeting to learn more about the areas we serve and whether we accept any specific programs from your state.