Operating Engineers 324 Welcomes Job-Seekers to Northern Michigan Training Facility

U.P. Residents Will Tour Facility, Learn about Training and Job Opportunities

GLADSTONE –– Today, Operating Engineers 324 will welcome students, parents and other job-seekers to an open house at its Northern Michigan Training Facility, 802 Clark Drive, Gladstone, MI 49837. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

The open house, sponsored by Gladstone and Rapid River Public Schools, is part of OE 324’s ongoing effort to engage students in the U.P. This program opened in August 2017, with mine safety and MIOSHA classes currently being taught.

“We have many students who are trying to decide what to do after high school and are concerned about being able to earn a good living. We couldn’t be happier to partner with OE 324 on a project that gets our students trained for high-demand, well-paid, skilled jobs right here in the U.P.,” said Jay Kulbertis, superintendent of Gladstone Schools.

The open house features contractors talking about jobs in the skilled trades. OE 324 instructors will speak about the training program.

“This open house shows how important it is to OE 324 that we offer classes in U.P. to serve the workforce here that works so hard 12 months a year. This training opens the door for good-paying, high-skilled jobs close to home,” said OE 324 Training Director John Osika.

The event also includes tours of the facility and a high-tech simulator for students to get a hands-on feel for what being an operating engineer is like.

“OE 324 understands just how important it is to engage the U.P. community about in-demand jobs right here. The sky really is the limit right now for people who want to learn a skilled trade and become an operating engineer with OE 324,” said Operating Engineers LMEC Executive Director and Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc. (MASCI) Chairman Lee Graham.