Operating Engineer at Operating Engineers Lu 324 Jatf

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Operating Engineers Lu 324 Jatf in Howell, MI

About This Program

Operating Engineers LU 324 JATF sponsors a registered Operating Engineer apprenticeship in Howell, MI. This employer-sponsored program offers individuals in the Livingston County area and greater Michigan a structured, paid pathway into the heavy construction equipment operation field. Apprentices earn income throughout the entire four-year training period.

The apprenticeship requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on active construction sites gaining hands-on experience with equipment such as excavators, cranes, bulldozers, graders, and compactors. Technical instruction covers safe equipment operation, preventive maintenance, site safety regulations, and operational best practices consistent with industry standards.

Upon completing the program, graduates are qualified as Operating Engineers ready to work on highway, commercial, and civil construction projects throughout Michigan. The apprenticeship's earn-while-you-learn format allows participants to enter a skilled, in-demand trade and build a stable career without incurring the costs typically associated with formal education.

Wage & Training

OJT Hours

6,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

432

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

How to Apply

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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