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Operating Engineers Local 234 Apprenticeship & Training Program

Operating Engineers work as heavy equipment operators and mechanics in the construction industry. "Heavy Equipment" describes many types of machines used on a construction site, including cranes, bulldozers, graders, front-end loaders, and paving equipment.

Operating Engineers are masters of a variety of equipment. A broad range of skills keeps IUOE members employable, since employers' needs vary from project to project.

What do I need to become an Operating Engineer?

• Three years of apprentice training, including on-the-job, field, and classroom training.
• A good work ethic and, since you will be working on expensive and potentially dangerous equipment, a responsible attitude.
• An interest in working outdoors.
• The ability to work construction hours. If you have children this makes reliable and flexible child-care essential.
• A willingness to be out of work during seasonal down-time.
• The ability to work for many different employers during your career.
• Reliable transportation.

Operating Engineers Local 234 operates a Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training approved program on a two hundred and eighty acre site southeast of Indianola, Iowa. At the training site, classroom and hands-on training is provided to apprentices and journeyman operators.

Apprentices participate in a three-year (6,000 hrs.) program of training -- consisting of 192 hours of correspondent training, 240 hours of classroom instruction, and the balance in on-the-job hands on training.

Entrance into the Apprenticeship Program requires completion of forty hours of pre-apprenticeship training at the training facility.

If you are interested in more information or are interested in applying for entrance into the program, call or write to us at:

Iowa Operating Engineers
1635 Quebec Street
Indianola, Iowa 50125
Phone: 641-942-7112
FAX: 641-942-6441
E-Mail: ead234ac@aol.com