Operating Engineers Local 701 Apprenticeship Programs and Journeyman Upgrade
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Hints to Being a Successful Apprentice

You can apply to our program at any time throughout the year.  The number of applicants we accept is based on variables such as projected work in the State of Oregon and S W Washington and number of apprentices in the program.  It is our intention to be able to provide training opportunities as consistently as possible given our Northwest climate and the work environment.  The combined application and interview scores will provide a ranked list, highest score on top, of applicants that will be cut off at the determined number being accepted into the program.

The minimum requirements are that you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED. To be competitive, we make recommendations about what to submit with your application as you read on. If you are not ready to apply or need help pursuing what you need to make a competitive application, there are organizations that provide pre-apprenticeship training and assistance.

If you are not ready to apply for apprenticeship or need assistance in pursuing what you need to make a winning application, there are organizations that provide pre-apprenticeship training and assistance. Oregon Tradeswomen, Youthbuilders, Portland Community College Trades Preparation Program, Evening Trades Apprenticeship Preparation, Irvington Covenant Project and Job Corps are approved pre-apprenticeship programs available to you.

The Application

The applications are scored based on your education, experience and training (Application Scoring System).  The most successful applicants will have a resume and substantial documentation to support the past work history, high school and post high school education, additional training and activities detailed in the resume to submit with the application.
We recommend that you to prepare a documentation packet that will increase you chances of success.  We advise that you get any high school transcripts you do have, regardless of whether you have a GED or a diploma, because we can give points to various course work with a C or better such as physical education, shop, arts and crafts, and any industrial education classes with C better.  Documentation of job experience, both general and industry related, should also be included.  Letters of recommendation or job description are the most powerful documentation of employment, however, other documentation is acceptable.

The application scoring is weighted in the area of math so if your math needs improvement or you need a refresher, go to a community college, take a math placement test and enroll in the indicated math class.  This will give you recent math skills or provide proof of your present math skills and indicate your desire to be successful in this career.  You absolutely need math skills to be a skilled, knowledgeable operating engineer! Community Colleges also offer other course work related to construction such as welding and plans reading that if time permits will be advantageous to the applicant. 

Another item would be a Class A CDL, or at least a permit obtained by studying and taking the written exam.  This will give you additional points and again indicate your dedication to this career.

Careful preparation of the application packet can make the difference so we encourage applicants to make the effort to put together an application that shines.  It is our observation that when the packet has been carefully and conscientiously prepared, that a successful interview follows. 

The Interview

The interview is conducted by panels of employers and journeyman operators looking for smart, skilled and motivated individuals for the apprenticeship program. The questions are formulated to determine the applicant’s commitment and aptitude for the occupation applied for and the initiative taken to learn about, prepare for and pursue a career in the construction industry as an Operating Engineer.  This is an opportunity for the applicant to present her or himself and demonstrate the qualities that they have that makes them a good candidate for the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program.  The scores submitted by the panel members are averaged and results in the final interview score.

The Ranking  

The application and interview scores are added together and ranked with high scores on top.  The number accepted into the program will be the top of the ranked list and will be notified to attend a 1-month pre-employment orientation at the Eugene Training Center. 

The Pre-Employment Orientation

This is classroom and hands on instruction to prepare the successful applicant for the first dispatch.  It is an opportunity for the training center to evaluate the potential apprentices and express the expectations and rules of the program. 

The Cost

There is no explicit cost for the apprenticeship program.  The first 2000 hours of on-the-job training pays 80% of journey wage and is with contractors building projects throughout the State of Oregon and S.W. Washington.  However, there are implicit costs considering that if the work is away from home, there is typically no per diem or mileage paid.  Additionally, there are no wages paid for the 160 hours of related training required each year of apprenticeship, usually conducted at the Eugene Training Center, and room and board are not provided.  Consequently, good planning and budgeting are crucial elements of being successful in this program.

The Operating Engineers Training Center offers apprenticeships in three occupations.  Heavy Equipment Operator, Heavy Duty Repairer and Technical Engineer.  An applicant may apply for any or all occupations but will be accepted into only one apprenticeship program.

Union 

When you are dispatched to your first job, you will be expected to join Local 701 and remain in good standing with the Local at all times. Information about IUOE Local 701 can be found on the website http://www.iuoe701.com.