Operating Engineer at Operating Engineers Lu 234

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Operating Engineers Lu 234 in Indianola, IA

About This Program

Operating Engineers LU 234 sponsors a registered Operating Engineer apprenticeship program based in Indianola, IA. This employer-sponsored program offers a structured, paid training pathway for individuals looking to build a career operating heavy construction equipment in Iowa and the surrounding region. Apprentices begin earning wages on their first day in the field.

The program is four years in length and requires completion of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop proficiency in operating equipment such as excavators, cranes, bulldozers, motor graders, and loaders. Technical instruction covers preventive maintenance, safety protocols, machine operation procedures, and applicable regulations.

Completing the apprenticeship qualifies graduates to work as skilled Operating Engineers on construction sites ranging from highway and infrastructure projects to commercial and industrial builds. The program's combination of paid practical experience and classroom learning sets graduates up for a stable, in-demand career in the construction trades.

Wage & Training

OJT Hours

6,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

432

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Operating Engineer

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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