Take courses in high school that deal with mechanical practices or automobile basics. These courses can often introduce you to the fundamentals of the industry and will make you appear more attractive to potential employers in the future.
Start working. Either an apprenticeship program or entry level position will help you learn on the job, which is how most professionals who operate asphalt machinery learn.
Pay attention to training offered by senior employees. When you start to work, you will receive comprehensive on the job training, which includes the basics of asphalt paving and how to operate the machinery that spreads and levels out the asphalt. The basic operation of the machinery involves turning valves to both release the asphalt and control the flow.
Utilize resources offers by the National Asphalt Paving Association, or NAPA, to learn more about asphalt paving. General information, research and other publications regarding this industry are available on the NAPA website.
Check for a more local asphalt paving association that offers resources near you, such as the Pennsylvania Asphalt Pavement Association, or PAPA. Through the "Education" section of the PAPA website, for example, you can learn about the history of asphalt, pavement facts, recycling in the asphalt paving industry and advantages of using asphalt.