Operating Engineer at Operating Engineers Local Union 148 and Signatory Contractors JAP

Operating Engineers Local Union 148 and Signatory Contractors JAP offers this union (JATC) apprenticeship for heavy equipment operators in St. Louis, MO. Jointly administered by the union and signatory contractors, this program reflects a strong partnership between labor and industry, giving apprentices real-world exposure to active construction environments from the start. Apprentices are paid throughout their training as they build competency on the job.

Spanning four years, the program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to operate and maintain heavy equipment including excavators, cranes, scrapers, and paving machines. Classroom coursework addresses hydraulics, equipment inspection, safety compliance, and construction site operations.

Graduates complete the program as journeyman Operating Engineers, ready to take on skilled roles in commercial, civil, and industrial construction. Union membership through Local 148 connects graduates to organized labor benefits, negotiated wages, and a professional network across the St. Louis region and the broader construction industry.