The Southern California Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program is opening up their application from January 13th through January 29th. This would be for graduating seniors only. An operating engineer operates construction equipment on high-rise buildings, roads, and freeways. They work on operating cranes, concrete, pumps, and drilling equipment. Those accepted into the program will have no monetary cost for the training and will be paid 60% of a journeyperson scale. They are also covered by medical and dental insurance, holiday and vacation pay, a pension plan, and other benefits. Wage increases are received upon successful completion of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Eventually, they can expect to make $43.00 per hour. Students must live in Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties. Students can be 17 when they apply, but they won’t be accepted until they turn 18. It is recommended that students apply online at the following address:
https://www.oett.net/obtaining-an-application
They can also go to www.oett.net and click on Apprenticeship and “Obtaining an Application” The application won’t be available until January 13th 2020. This really is a great opportunity for those students who are hands-on and interested in working outside.
Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements prior to acceptance into the Apprenticeship Program. These requirements include:
- Be physically able (with or without accommodations) to perform the work.
- Physical requirements include adequate vision and hearing; the ability to bend and stoop; climb vertical ladders up to five feet in height; lift loads up to fifty pounds; pull/push levers with resistance up to five pounds; and the ability to sit and stand for long periods of time.
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent, e.g. successfully completed General Educational Development (GED).
- Be at least 18 years old when entering the program.
- Note: An individual may submit an application prior to reaching the age of 18, but acceptance into the program will not occur until the age of 18 is obtained.
- Be legal to work in the United States.
- Have reliable transportation.
- Travel to remote job and training sites, at various hours during the day and/or night, is required of all apprentices. Reliable transportation is essential. It is required that an applicant possess a valid California Driver's License prior to being accepted into the program.
- Pass an entrance examination.
- The entrance examination is designed to test basic verbal, math, and mechanical abilities that are essential for succeeding in the Apprenticeship Program.
- The entrance examination is given in English only.
- Pass a Substance Abuse Test.
- Prior to acceptance into the program, applicants must pass a Substance Abuse Test. This test will be provided by the Operating Engineers Training Trust.