Apprenticeship – Operating Engineer I | Washington Career Paths

OPERATING ENGINEER

Union

Operating engineers operate heavy construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, pavers, trench excavators and many other kinds of equipment used in constructing buildings, dams, airports and highways. They also work in the sand and gravel, cement and asphalt industries; in the shipyards; on the water with dredges, oil refineries, oil pipelines, sewer and water construction, ports of major cities, municipal work with cities and counties, landscaping, scrap metal work, and the forest products industry. Operating engineer apprentices can also work in the mechanical field as heavy-duty truck and equipment mechanics and in the field of technical engineer (surveyor).

SELECT AN APPRENTICESHIP LOCATION

Operating Engineers Union Local 302

Occupational Objectives:

Construction Equipment Operator
Heavy Duty Mechanic
Hoisting Engineer
Technical Engineer

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Required Qualifications

18 years of age
Physically able
High School diploma/GED
Pass math and reading test
Valid Washington State driver’s license and dependable transportation
Must pass drug screen test
Applicants for the Heavy Duty Repair Mechanic program must have 2 years of vocational training in diesel mechanics or equivalent work experience.

Step 2: Apply

Apply

Submit application at training facility within posted deadline
Provide copies of DD-214, diploma(s), resume, letters of recommendation, I-9 Documents driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate
* Veterans can apply through Helmets to Hardhats for fast-track to apprenticeship.

Applicant Pool

Placed in pool of eligible applicants
Take math and reading tests
Complete interview
Attend one week Safety and Orientation Training
Ranked based on work experience, training, test scores, and interview
Top applicants attend 10-weeks of pre-apprenticeship training
Placed on Eligible for Dispatch List

Step 3: Start with local 302

Apprenticeship

6,000 hours / 3 years on-the-job training
Minimum of 160 hours of education each year through local training facility

Wages

Start at 65% of current journeyperson’s rate.
Gain 5-10% pay increase after every 1,000 hours of on-the-job training (approx. 6 months) plus required schooling.
Full 100% journeyperson’s pay after completing the program.

Starting Hourly Base Rate:
$30.94 + Benefits + Optional Housing Allowance
Housing allowance can be found using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool

SEARCH SCHOOL NAME: OPERATING ENGINEERS REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM JATC

Operating Engineers Union Local 612

Occupational Objectives:

Construction Equipment Operator
Heavy Duty Mechanic
Hoisting Engineer
Technical Engineer

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Required Qualifications

18 years of age
Physically able
High School diploma/GED
Pass math and reading test
Valid Washington State driver’s license and dependable transportation
Must pass drug screen test
Applicants for the Heavy Duty Repair Mechanic program must have 2 years of vocational training in diesel mechanics or equivalent work experience.

Step 2: Apply

Apply

Submit application at training facility within posted deadline
Provide copies of DD-214, diploma(s), resume, letters of recommendation, I-9 Documents driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate
* Veterans can apply through Helmets to Hardhats for fast-track to apprenticeship.

Applicant Pool

Placed in pool of eligible applicants
Take math and reading tests
Complete interview
Attend one week Safety and Orientation Training
Ranked based on work experience, training, test scores, and interview
Top applicants attend 10-weeks of pre-apprenticeship training
Placed on Eligible for Dispatch List

Step 3: Start with local 612

Apprenticeship

6,000 hours / 3 years on-the-job training
Minimum of 160 hours of education each year through local training facility

Wages

Start at 65% of current journeyperson’s rate.
Gain 5-10% pay increase after every 1,000 hours of on-the-job training (approx. 6 months) plus required schooling.
Full 100% journeyperson’s pay after completing the program.

Starting Hourly Base Rate:
$30.94 + Benefits + Optional Housing Allowance
Housing allowance can be found using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool

SEARCH SCHOOL NAME: OPERATING ENGINEERS REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM JATC

Calculate Starting Pay With GI Bill ®

Estimated Wage Calculator

All calculations based on a 120 hours/month work schedule.[CP_CALCULATED_FIELDS id="6"]

*Contact union local for updated wage information.

GI Bill Usage Breakdown:
100% - 1-6 months
80% - 6-12 months
60% - 12-18 months
40% - 18-24 months
20% - 24-30 months
*Usage Optional

Eligible veterans in an approved Apprenticeship Program can use their GI Bill® benefit and receive a tax-free stipend on a monthly basis. The Post 9/11 GI Bill® stipend is the equivalent of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) of an E-5 with dependents (based on the zip code of the training facility) which is paid addition to normal wages. Refer to the chart below to understand how Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits are paid, or consult the VA website www.benefits.va.gov/gibill (Link) to see how other VA chapters are paid for Apprenticeship Training.