We Build OPERATING ENGINEERS
Operating Engineers operate and maintain heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators, on construction sites. They perform tasks like excavation, grading, and lifting heavy materials, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and safely. Their expertise is essential for building and maintaining infrastructure and preparing land for construction.
APPLICATION INFO.Length of Apprenticeship:
4 Years
Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Training Center (Local 150)
19800 West Arsenal Rd
Wilmington, IL 60481-8256
Phone: 815-722-3201
What You’ll Do on the Jobsite:
- As an Operating Engineer, you will perform excavation and earthmoving tasks, using heavy equipment to dig foundations, trenches, and basements, and to grade and prepare land for construction.
- You can operate cranes and other lifting equipment to hoist and position heavy materials, such as steel beams, concrete forms, and precast structures, with precision and care.
- Operators play a critical role in building and maintaining roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, using machinery to lay asphalt, compact soil, and move large amounts of material efficiently.
- You may prepare construction sites by leveling and grading the land, ensuring a stable foundation for buildings, roads, and other structures.
- You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their machinery, conducting routine checks, troubleshooting issues, and performing necessary repairs to ensure equipment reliability.
What You’ll Learn in the Apprenticeship Program:
- As an Operating Engineer apprentice, you will learn to operate a variety of heavy machinery, including bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and loaders, gaining hands-on experience in controlling and maneuvering these powerful tools on the jobsite.
- You will gain skills in maintaining and troubleshooting heavy equipment, learning how to perform routine inspections, identify potential issues, and make necessary repairs to keep machinery running smoothly.
- The program teaches the principles of soil mechanics and earthmoving, enabling you to efficiently manage excavation, grading, and land preparation tasks.
- You will receive comprehensive training in safety protocols, including machine operation safety, jobsite hazard recognition, and emergency procedures, ensuring you can operate equipment safely and responsibly.
- You will develop skills in rigging and signal communication, which are essential for safely lifting and placing heavy materials and structures, particularly when working with cranes and other lifting equipment.
A career as an Operating Engineer offers strong demand with opportunities to operate heavy machinery on a variety of construction projects. It provides a dynamic, hands-on profession with potential for growth and specialization in a critical role that supports the construction and infrastructure industries.
APPLICATION INFO.