The Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program is a four year on-the-job training program consisting of five to seven weeks each year of classroom and training site time.

The training site is located in New Alexandria, PA. They have 90 pieces of equipment, with a value of $5 million, and 256 acres of land available for instructional purposes. Overall, the Operating Engineers spend $5 million per year on their apprentices & journeymen.

As an Operating Engineer apprentice,
you will receive instruction on some of the following:

  • Construction Safety
  • First Aid/CPR Training
  • Signaling
  • Fuels, Lubricants, and Coolants
  • Earthmoving Equipment Operation Principles and Techniques for Dozers, Loaders, Graders, Scrapers, and Excavators
  • Crane Operation Principles and Techniques
2024 OPERATING ENGINEERS APPLICATION NOTICE PRE-REGISTER TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON APPLICATION PERIODS

Terms Of Apprenticeship

  • Minimum accumulation of 4,000 on-the-job training hours
  • Apprentices will be paid at the negotiated apprenticeship rate for on-the-job training based on the class of machine being operated

Qualification Requirements Of The Program

  • Be at least 18 at the time of acceptance into the program
  • Reside in one of the 33 counties of Western Pennsylvania or Columbiana, Mahoning or Trumbull counties in Ohio
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Submit a non-refundable fee of $25 with each application
  • Have dependable transportation
  • Pass a Department of Transportation physical exam
  • Pass a drug test – drug use is not tolerated in the construction industry, where safety is a life and death issue

WESTERN PA OPERATING ENGINEERS JATC

457 Christopher Road
New Alexandria, PA 15670

Contact: Neil Marisa– Administrative Manager
Telephone: (724) 668-2244 x302

Contact: Dennis Manown– Coordinator
Telephone: (724) 668-2244 x303

Website:
wpaoperators.org

FRB Apprentice Spotlight

Meet Angela Miller, a 2nd Year Apprentice, and Nathan Cortez, a 3rd Year Apprentice, with the Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program.

Skill Arcade Games

These games can get you started on YOUR path to a Operating Engineers Apprenticeship!

Construction Crane Signals

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Road Builder Blitz

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Dig In: An Excavating Game

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Dig In: A Dozer Game

Experience the earth-shaking power of dozer operation once you drop your blade and push mountains of dirt.

Hooked!

Get in the seat of a Tower Crane Operator. Use speed and precision to maneuver expensive equipment around obstacles.

Excavator

Plan and execute digs just like a real life excavator operator! Can you dig it?

Harness Hero: Bridge Edition

Start practicing proper fall arrest setup in a fun and safe way!

Site Coach: Start Smart Construction

Safety risks come in various forms on a construction site. Show that you can identify them all.

Site Coach: Ladder Safety Construction

Safety risks come in various forms on a construction site. Get oriented and show that you can identify ladder safety issues.

Site Coach: Fall Hazards

Get oriented and show that you can identify potential fall hazards.

Apprenticeship & Career Opportunities

CARPENTERS

Carpenters assemble and construct forms for concrete structures including bridges, retaining walls, tunnels, subways, drainage structures, hydroelectric developments, locks, and dams.

Learn More

MASONS

Concrete is everywhere in the heavy/highway construction industry. A cement mason places, finishes, smooths, protects, and repairs exposed concrete surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, roads, and dams.

Learn More

LABORERS

Laborers are used for various projects in heavy/highway construction, working with hand, power, and air tools, rebar, traffic control, soil compaction, trenching/shoring projects, and more.

Learn More

OPERATING ENGINEERS

Operating engineers oversee the operation, maintenance, and repair of heavy construction equipment including cranes, backhoes, loaders, scrapers, and bulldozers, which is essential for creating roads, dams, bridges, and airports.

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CRAFT PROFESSIONALS

Skilled workers, heavy equipment operators, carpenters, concrete finishers, and laborers are needed! Learn about the benefits of union membership and career opportunities in western PA.

Learn More

INSPECTORS

Construction Inspectors ensure projects follow plans and specifications and are responsible for projects being completed on time and within budget.

Learn More

Get your career moving!

There is more than one road to take towards a promising career.

Future Road Builders can get you started.

Highway Construction
Apprenticeship Readiness Course

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