Operating Engineer at OPERATING ENGINEERS 150 Op Eng. JATF

Operating Engineers 150 Op Eng. JATF sponsors a registered Operating Engineer apprenticeship program in Wilmington, IL. This employer-sponsored program provides a structured, paid training path for people interested in a career operating heavy construction equipment in Illinois and the broader Midwest region.

The program runs four years and is built around 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical experience on construction sites operating equipment such as excavators, cranes, graders, and scrapers under the guidance of skilled journey-level operators. Technical instruction covers machine operation, equipment inspection and maintenance, safety compliance, and trade practices.

Graduates complete the program with the skills and credentials to work as qualified Operating Engineers across a range of construction sectors. The earn-while-you-learn format means apprentices develop a marketable trade skill and maintain income throughout their training, creating a financially accessible entry point into a rewarding construction career.