The
127 acre I.U.O.E. Local 649 training site is located fifteen minutes west of
Peoria in  Mapleton. The training facility is
equipped with state of the art technology to administer the quality materials
provided by the International Union.
Our instructors provide a high level of upgrade training
to our members as well as passing on the skills of our trade to the Local 649
apprentices.
An apprenticeship program with the Operating Engineers
Local 649 will provide you with free career training as an operating engineer
jointly funded by a labor/management training trust.
Operating Engineers work as heavy equipment operators
and mechanics in the construction industry. "Heavy Equipment" describes many
types of machines used on a construction site, including cranes, bulldozers,
graders, front-end loaders and paving equipment.
Operating Engineers are masters of a variety of
equipment. A broad range of skills keeps IUOE members employable, since
employers' needs vary from project to project.
The apprenticeship program is set up as a four-year
program. There is a minimum of 144 hours of classroom and on-the-job hands on
training given to the apprentices each year. After the training each year, the
apprentices are available for work at the trade and must have approximately
1500 hours of work experience each year before they can advance to the next
level of apprenticeship.
You must meet the following criteria to be considered
for acceptance:
1.
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Must be 18 years of age or older.
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2.
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Applicant must be a high school graduate, or possess a
GED.
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3.
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At time of a subsequent oral interview applicants will
be required to produce:
a copy of their birth certificate an official copy of the applicant's high
school transcript and/or a copy of the GED
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4.
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A fee of $20.00 (cash) is required at the time of application.
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APPRENTICE WAGE RATES paid by signatory employers after being referred by the Union:
1st year
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After 144 hours of training
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60% of Group I Highway and Heavy scale
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2nd year
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After 144 hours of training
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70% of Group I Highway and Heavy scale
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3rd year
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After 144 hours of training
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80% of Group I Highway and Heavy scale
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4th year
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After 144 hours of training
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90% of Group I Highway and Heavy scale
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Journeyman Group I Highway and Heavy wage scale
4/1/2008
through
3/31/2009
is
$30.30
. Before apprentices can advance from one years' level to the next, they must
also receive approximately 1500 hours of work experience and complete the
required 144 hours of training.
In addition to the wages, Apprentices have contributions
paid into the:
| Health & Welfare | $5.45 | (rate in effect 2008-04-01 through 2009-03-31) | | Annuity | $2 | (rate in effect 2008-04-01 through 2009-03-31) | | Central Pension | $8 | (rate in effect 2008-04-01 through 2009-03-31) | | Health Reimbursement Account | $1 | (rate in effect 2008-04-01 through 2009-03-31) |
To become eligible for health and welfare insurance, you must work 400 hours in
a four month period for a signatory contractor with hours in each of the four
months. Coverage would then begin for the apprentice and their dependents. To
maintain insurance coverage, 400 hours of work is required in a calendar third
of a year.
There is no pay and there is no cost to the apprentice during the 144 hours of
training each year. Training for the first year apprentice is during the month
of May, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
What do I need to
become an Operating Engineer?
Four years of apprentice training, including on-the-job,
field and classroom training.
A good work ethic and since you will be working on
expensive and potentially dangerous equipment, a responsible attitude.
An interest in working outdoors.
The ability to work construction hours. If you have
children this makes reliable and flexible child-care essential.
A willingness to be out of work during seasonal down
time. The ability to work for many different employers during your career.
Operating Engineers Local 649 operates a Bureau of
Apprenticeship and Training approved program. At the training site, classroom
and hands-on training is provided to apprentices and journeyman operators.
Apprentices participate in a four year (6000 hrs.)
program of training.
The Apprenticeship Committee consists of three (3)
contractor representatives and three (3) union representatives. They meet on a
quarterly basis and at the fall meeting the committee reviews the work
situation to decide if applications should be taken in December for a new class
that would begin training in May of the next year.
Advertising for apprentices is done one month prior to
taking applications in the classified section of the newspapers throughout
649's jurisdiction.
If you are interested in becoming an Operating Engineer
Apprentice, we would welcome you to apply during our application period.
If you are interested in more
information or are interested in applying for entrance into the program, call
or write to us at:
IUOE Local 649
6408 W. Plank Rd. Peoria, IL 61604
Ph. 309-697-0070 Fax 309-697-0025
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