Operating Engineer at Operating Engineers Local 99 Joint Apprenticeship Committee
at Operating Engineers Local 99 Joint Apprenticeship Committee in Upper Marlboro, MD
About This Program
Operating Engineers Local 99 Joint Apprenticeship Committee offers a union Operating Engineer apprenticeship in Upper Marlboro, MD. This JATC program serves the Prince George's County area and surrounding Maryland communities, providing a paid, structured path into heavy construction equipment operation backed by organized labor and participating employers in the region.
The four-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced journeymen operating equipment such as cranes, excavators, graders, and bulldozers on commercial, infrastructure, and civil construction projects. Classroom coursework covers equipment operation techniques, safety regulations, machine maintenance, and site management fundamentals.
Graduates earn journeyman Operating Engineer status with Local 99, a union credential well recognized in the competitive Maryland and D.C. metro construction market. Journeymen enjoy access to steady work across a broad range of project types, supported by collectively bargained wages and benefits through the IUOE.
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.
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