How apprenticeship prepares you
An apprenticeship program with the Operating Engineers Local 825 will prepare you to work as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic in the construction industry.
The apprenticeship program is set up as a four-year program. There is a minimum of 144 hours of classroom and on-the-job, hands-on training each year. After the training, apprentices are available for work at the trade and must have approximately 1,500 hours of work experience each year before they can advance to the next level of apprenticeship.
The application process
Apprentice applications are given out as the need for new Operating Engineers is projected. Advance notice of when applications will be given out is made on our website, so checking the homepage once a month is suggested.
Distribution is always on a first-come, first-served basis. While only a limited number of applications are given out, the number of applicants waiting in line generally exceeds that number. There is no guarantee of acceptance into the program.
Applicants must be 18 years of age by the date of application. It is beneficial for applicants to have a good mechanical aptitude, manual dexterity, and good physical condition are also important.
Basic Qualifications. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Bring a copy of their birth certificate
- Valid drivers license, Social Security Card
- Bring a copy of their high school diploma and transcript; OR their GED and GED Test Scores
- Provide proof of residency for the past six months
Veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214
All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, handicap, national origin or ethnic background.
Federal law protects your rights to join a union
Under federal law, you are entitled to join or form a union, select representatives and bargain collectively with your employer.
These rights are intended to balance the relationship between workers and employers, not to be adversarial. They encourage labor and management to negotiate agreements that benefit all parties. This enables contractors to offer more highly skilled and productive engineers while providing appropriate compensation in exchange for a higher level of productivity.
The union can help identify and resolve problems on the job before they escalate. And as a union member, you have a right to vote on your contract, giving you a voice your employer can’t ignore.