Heavy Machine Operations Pre-Apprenticeship Pathway
Does your student hate the idea of sitting behind a desk all day? Would they rather work outdoors and be part of bringing the plans for a brand-new hospital, school, or office building to life? Then, they might be a terrific heavy equipment operator!
Heavy equipment operators work with a variety of construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, excavators, forklifts, front end loaders, and backhoes, and are indispensable on construction sites. And the terrific news is that these are often union jobs with great benefits and pay! For example, in Minnesota (one of the states where we offer a pre-apprenticeship program in heavy equipment operation), successful program graduates make $24–34 per hour right out of high school!3
Gain construction industry experience and college credit.
And we've partnered with local unions and community colleges to create an exciting apprenticeship training program to become a journeyman operating engineer (heavy equipment operator, mechanic, or surveyor) in the construction industry.*
The program includes a semester of guided career exploration in the construction industry, plus courses in construction math, construction equipment fundamentals, and mobile equipment maintenance. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to enter a registered apprenticeship program [with International Union of Operating Engineers (IOUE) Local 49 in Minnesota or IUOE 139 in Wisconsin] and also receive credits from a community college in their state.
Imagine graduating from high school with community college credit and going right into an apprenticeship paying $24–34 per hour, with benefits!3
Our Heavy Machine Operations Pre-Apprenticeship Curriculum in Detail
All students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes students take as part of the Heavy Machine Operations Pre-Apprenticeship pathway, and the industry-recognized certification exams** they can prepare to take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Find a school near you that offers the heavy machine operations pre-apprenticeship pathway.
Stride Career Prep† programs with the Heavy Machine Operations Pre-Apprenticeship pathway are available at tuition-free Stride K12-powered, public online schools in:
MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN
Don't see your state? There's also a tuition-free option in a related field: the Engineering/Technology pathway!
Occupational Spotlight
Construction Equipment Operator
Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, and control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures. They may also need to clean and maintain the equipment, making basic repairs if necessary.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$42,200
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
19,200
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
4% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus apprenticeship or other on-the-job training
Derrick Operator (Oil and Gas)
Derrick operators work on drilling rigs for the oil and gas industry. They excavate holes for oil or gas wells, force the drill pipe deep into the earth, and create a bore hole. They are concentrated in areas of the country with significant oil and gas extraction, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and North Dakota.
2019 Median Starting
Salary2
$48,030 (Note: For this profession, starting salary data is not available.)
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20293
3,885
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20293
31%
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus apprenticeship or other on-the-job training
FAQs
What is a pre-apprenticeship program, what qualifications and education do you need to get into one, and how do you apply?
Pre-apprenticeship programs prepare individuals to enter apprenticeship programs. They involve a formal partnership with an apprenticeship program sponsor, often a labor union representing individuals in a particular trade.
Requirements vary by program. If your student is interested in entering an apprenticeship program, they or you can contact the apprenticeship program sponsor directly to discuss how to meet their prerequisites. Many have relationships with vocational high schools or community colleges and will suggest that you enroll in their affiliated vocational or community college program.
We offer a pre-apprenticeship program in heavy machine operations for high school students living in Wisconsin and Minnesota that is sponsored by the respective state chapters of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). Students who successfully completed the program are eligible to enter a registered apprenticeship program (with IUOE Local 49 in Minnesota or IUOE 139 in Wisconsin) and also receive credits from a community college in their state.
What sort of training do you need to become a heavy equipment operator? How can you prepare while still in high school?
The best way to prepare to become a heavy equipment operator while still in high school is to enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program.
We offer a pre-apprenticeship program in heavy machine operations for high school students living in Wisconsin and Minnesota that is sponsored by the respective state chapters of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). Students who successfully completed the program are eligible to enter a registered apprenticeship program (with IUOE Local 49 in Minnesota or IUOE 139 in Wisconsin) and also receive credits from a community college in their state.
If your student does not live in one of these states, we recommend they contact the IUOE chapter in your state to inquire about any pre-apprenticeship programs they may sponsor with other entities.
How can you get a great union job right out of high school?
To get a great union job out of high school, connect with the local chapter of the relevant union for the trade you wish to pursue. Find out if they sponsor any pre-apprenticeship programs and, if so, how to enroll in one of these programs.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
Hear how Stride Career Prep can work for your teen.
Thinking this might be a good fit for your student and interested in learning more from current Stride Career Prep students, families, and teachers? Submit questions to people who've experienced the program firsthand and get direct answers!
1Burning Glass Labor Insights, accessed October 16, 2020. Data is median salary for job postings with that job title, with typical minimum education requirements for that job title (as shown in chart on this page) and 0-2 years of experience, from October 1, 2019, to September 20, 2020.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020.
3Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Fastest Growing Occupations. Website last modified: Wednesday, September 1, 2020. Expected percentage growth reported as 31%; data on absolute numeric increase in employment imputed based on this growth rate.
4https://mnva.k12.com/news/Innovative-K12-Industry-Partnership-Offer-Students-in-Minnesota-Pathway-into-the-International-Union-of-Operating-Engineers-Registered-Apprenticeship-Program.html
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
†Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
