| Operating Engineers are the people who
operate and maintain various types of power-driven
construction machines, such as bulldozers, cranes, pile
drivers, fork lifts, hoists, hilifts, earth graders and
tractors which dig, scrape, and move great amounts of
earth and hoist building materials. Some machines require
the operators to turn valves, adjust hand wheels and
press pedals to drive the machines and control the
attachments. Other machines, such as cranes, require the
constant use of both hands and both feet. Operating
Engineers are also required to service their machines and
move the machines from one construction site to another. All work is performed in the
open, except for a few machines equipped with enclosed
cabs. Earth excavating and grading equipment operators
and road-building equipment operators generally work from
early spring until the fall freeze and shut down only
when it rains. The work might be dusty and dirty.
Operating Engineers
should enjoy working with machines and equipment and be
mechanically inclined. They must be able to do or work
alone. They should be able to withstand the jolting and
vibration of the machines and must have an interest in
the ability to learn correct methods of handling the
powerful equipment in a safe manner. The job demands an
individual with good eyesight, muscular coordination, and
depth perception.
Requirements:
| Education |
Age |
Length
of Course/
*Annual Class Hrs. |
| 2
Years High School/GED |
18 |
4
Years/144 Class Hrs. |
|
For more information, call (574)784-3694
|
-All
apprenticeship programs require applicants to be
physically fit. In addition, applicants must take an
aptitude test and be interviewed by the joint
apprenticeship committee before acceptance.
*Where the apprenticeship program has established a formal
classroom training course, these are required number of
school hours the individual apprentice must attend each
year.
For information on all apprenticeship programs, contact
the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and
Training, (574)236-8295.
|
"Skilled
On Principle, Union By Choice"®