Operating Engineer Apprentice

Overview of Job:

Operating and maintenance of hoisting and portable construction equipment, including but not limited to:

Bulldozers, Excavators, Scrapers, Graders, Loaders and Cranes.

Job Functions:

Using construction equipment as listed above, you may:

  • Perform diggings, hauling and leveling operations to build roads and subdivisions.
  • Dig or excavate material for basements and footings.
  • Excavate and backfill ditches and trenches on sewer and pipeline work.
  • Erect steel on large buildings and bridges.
  • Unload heavy material on building projects.
  • Grease, fuel and attend to maintenance of machines under the supervision of qualified Journeyman Operating Engineers, foremen and superintendents.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

  • Excellent eyesight, depth perception, hand-eye coordination, muscular coordination and ability to perform routine repetitive work without losing concentration.
  • Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, twisting, crouching, bending, reaching, grasping, pushing, and pulling, and moderate lifting and carrying.
  • Withstanding the jolting and vibration of the equipment.

Overall Requirement:

  • Keen awareness of extreme responsibility for safety or other building tradesmen working around the equipment. Realizing the value of expensive construction equipment you must operate.
  • Need to make split-second decisions as an operator.
  • That final acceptance is conditioned upon passing a physical examination and drug test.

The Apprentice Benefits By:

  • Earn a living while in training for a career.
  • Receive regular pay increases as job skills increase.
  • Receive formalized training on-the-job under the supervision of a qualified worker in all processes necessary to become skilled in the occupation.
  • Receive classroom or related instruction, which supplements on-the-job training with necessary theoretical knowledge.
  • Acquire a skill which will enable the Apprentice to compete more effectively in the labor market.
  • Fringe Benefits (Pension, Vacation and Health insurance, etc.)

Technician / Mechanic Apprentice

A heavy equipment repair technician maintains, services, and repairs equipment used in all forms of construction. Equipment technicians work for contractor, rental companies, material producers, and other organizations operating and maintaining heavy equipment. The equipment that Technicians repair and maintain ranges from as small as a chain saw to the largest mining equipment on the marker. Through apprenticeship Technician will be brought up to the date on the latest technology and products in the market and will also learn and train with relevant pieces in the field. It is a very rewarding career!

Stationary Apprentice

What is a Stationary Engineer?

Stationary Engineers maintain and operate the equipment that provides power for industry, heating and air conditioning for factories, hospitals, office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, schools and electrical power generation. Some of the pieces of equipment that you might operate and maintain are low and high-pressure steam boilers, diesel engines, turbines, generators, pumps, condensers and compressors. Stationary Engineers monitor the various meters, gauges and controls that are attached to the equipment to make sure that they are running properly and make adjustments whenever necessary for proper efficiency. They also perform routine maintenance work such as repairing valves, pumps and other equipment.

Working conditions vary depending on the plant, engine room or boiler room. However, some Stationary Engineers are exposed to high or low temperatures, dust, dirt, oil, grease, and fumes or smoke from the equipment. They also may be required to crawl into boilers or tanks to clean, inspect and repair them (the standard manhole opening is 15 inches by 11 inches). In small coal fired plants that have only one engineer, shoveling coal and ashes may be one of the engineer’s duties. The equipment is usually running seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day and must be attended around the clock. The Stationary Engineer may be assigned to one of three shifts and may be required to work on weekends and holidays. Stationary Engineers have many responsibilities and are in charge of very expensive equipment so they must perform their craft in a safe an efficient manner.

Some states and municipalities (including the City of Detroit) require that persons working in the Stationary Engineering craft be licensed. The City of Detroit has six (6) levels in the field of steam operation from Low Pressure Boiler Operator to First Class Stationary Engineer and three (3) levels of refrigeration operation from a Third Class Refrigeration Operator to First Class Refrigeration Operator. The normal procedure to achieve the highest level licenses (First Class Stationary Engineer and First Class Refrigeration Operator) is to progress through the lower license classifications first. This normally takes three months to two years of work experience to get started and six to eight years of experience along with continued education to get to the First Class license. Persons who successfully complete our 4 year apprenticeship program are eligible to take the tests for Third Class Stationary Engineer and First Class Refrigeration Operator Licenses.

What is a HVAC Technician?

HVAC Technician install, maintain, troubleshoot and service Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning systems for industry, hospitals, office buildings, residential homes, hotels/motels, shopping malls and schools, just to name a few. Some of the equipment that you may work with would be roof top heating and cooling units, heat pumps, water coolers, window unit air conditioners, refrigeration compressors, motors and pumps.

Working conditions vary depending upon the equipment and its location. However, many HVAC Technicians are exposed to high and/or low temperatures, dust, dirt, fumes, oil, grease, and smoke from the equipment. They may also be required to climb ladders to roof tops, enter small spaces through manholes (the standard opening is 15 inches by 11 inches) and be exposed to refrigerants and/or other chemicals in the course of their daily routine. HVAC engineers are responsible for very expensive and environmentally sensitive equipment, so they must perform their duties in a safe, efficient and responsible manner at all times Some states and municipalities (including the City of Detroit) require that persons working in the HVAC field be licensed. Persons who successfully complete our approved 4 year apprenticeship program will be eligible to test for an Unlimited Refrigeration Journeyman License and a First Class Refrigeration Operator License.

APPRENTICESHIPS

The Stationary Engineer Education Center offers two Apprenticeship Programs. The length of training is 8,000 Hours and 4 years or 6,000 Hours and 3 years with an on-the-job learning attainment of 8,000/6,000 Hours supplemented by the required hours of related instruction.  The combination of on-the-job learning under the guidance of a First Class Stationary Engineer or Journeyperson and classroom instruction allow the Apprentice to develop their skills and knowledge and gives the Apprentice a variety of experience. Apprentices are governed by the Apprenticeship Standards set by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Both programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

Stationary Engineering Apprenticeship Program  (8000 Hours and 4 years or 6000 Hours and 3 years)

Four Years – 2 courses each term – 4 terms per year/ Three Years – 2 courses each term – 4 terms per year

This apprenticeship is a four-year or three-year program sponsored by the Metro-Detroit Area Stationary Engineers Joint Apprenticeship Committee covering all phases of Stationary Engineering.

Our Stationary Engineer Apprenticeship Program  is 8000 Hours and 4 years or 6000 Hours and 3 years with an on-the-job-learning attainment of 8000 or 6000 Hours supplemented by the required hours of related instruction.

Selection is on a competitive point basis that evaluates testing, work related experience, education background, and interviews.

Upon graduation from the 4-year program, graduates are eligible to apply for a City of Detroit Third Class Stationary Engineer and First Class Refrigeration Operators Licenses.  Upon graduation from the 3-year program, graduates are eligible to apply for a City of Detroit High Pressure Boiler Operator and 3rd Class Refrigeration Operators Licenses.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Program (8000 Hours and 4 years)

Four Years – 2 courses each Term – 4 Terms per year

Our HVAC Technician Apprenticeship is a four-year program sponsored by the Metro-Detroit Area HVAC Engineers Joint Apprenticeship Committee covering all phases of Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Engineering.

This apprenticeship is 8000 Hours and 4 years with an  on-the-job attainment of 8000 Hours supplemented by the required hours of related instruction.

Selection is on a competitive point basis that evaluates testing, work related experience, education background, and interviews.

Upon graduation from the program, graduates are eligible to apply for City of Detroit First Class Refrigeration Operator, Refrigeration Journeyperson and High Pressure Boiler Operator Licenses.

The Education Center has other training courses and seminars. If you are in need of special training, please contact the Education Center office at 313.532.5345 for more information or to be placed upon the current mailing list.