Operating Engineer at International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 68, Education Fund, JATC
at International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 68, Education Fund, JATC in West Caldwell, NJ
About This Program
The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 68 Education Fund JATC sponsors this union apprenticeship for heavy equipment operators in West Caldwell, NJ. Administered through the local's dedicated education fund, this program prioritizes structured, high-quality instruction both in the classroom and on the jobsite. Apprentices are paid from their first day on the job and receive incremental wage increases as they advance.
The four-year program requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to operate a variety of heavy equipment including excavators, cranes, backhoes, and compactors on active construction sites throughout the region. Classroom sessions cover rigging, hydraulics, equipment safety, and relevant OSHA standards to prepare apprentices for professional-level work.
Graduates complete the program as journeyman Operating Engineers, equipped to work on residential, commercial, and civil infrastructure projects across New Jersey. IUOE Local 68 union membership provides access to negotiated benefits, wage scales, and continuing education opportunities that support a full career in the operating engineer trade.
Wage & Training
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
4 years
What to Expect as an Operating Engineer Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~30 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~108 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Operating Engineer
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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