Operating Engineer at Savannah Operating Engineers

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Savannah Operating Engineers in Pooler, GA

About This Program

Savannah Operating Engineers sponsors a registered Operating Engineer apprenticeship program located in Pooler, GA. This non-union, employer-sponsored program gives motivated individuals a structured path into the heavy construction equipment field, with pay starting on the first day of training.

The apprenticeship spans four years, encompassing 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience operating heavy machinery including excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and motor graders on active construction sites. Technical coursework covers equipment inspection and maintenance, site safety, operational procedures, and relevant industry regulations.

Graduates complete the program as qualified Operating Engineers prepared to work on a range of civil, commercial, and infrastructure construction projects in the Savannah area and coastal Georgia region. The combination of paid, practical experience and formal instruction builds a strong foundation for a lasting career in construction.

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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