Southern Nevada Operating Engineers

Journeyman & Apprentice Training Committee
6350 Howdy Wells Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89115
(702)643-1212
(702)643-1213 Fax
Bert W. Tolbert, Director of Training
Louis Loupias, Coordinator

What IS an Operating Engineer Apprentice?
An apprentice works at the trade, earning while learning, in an organized on-the-job training program with related school instruction, learning safe practices of operation, in one of the major work classifications listed below:

Equipment Operator:
Operates heavy construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, pavers, trench excavators, and many other kinds of equipment used in construction buildings, dams, airports, storm drains, and highways. They also work in sand and gravel, cement and asphalt industries, on the water with dredges, oil pipeline, sewer and water construction, and in landscaping.

Heavy Duty Repairperson:
Maintains and repairs all types of construction equipment, both in shops and in the field.

Oil Well Driller:
Operates and maintains rotary oil well drilling rigs as used in all phases of oil field drilling and exploration.

Surveyor:
On-the-job experience provides for training in various classifications leading to Chief of Party. Apprentice is under the close supervision of qualified personnel during on-the-job training hours.

Machinist Operator:
Learns all skills coincidental with machine shop tool operation and welding, design and blueprint reading.

General Construction Inspector
Learns all phases of construction inspection including soils inspection and testing, concrete testing and inspection, with lab and field training.

Term of Apprenticeship:
Equipment Operator, Heavy Duty Repairperson, General Construction Inspector, and Oil Well Driller, 6,000 Work Hours, 440-520 classroom hours, Machinist and Surveyor, 8,000 Work Hours, 680 Classroom Hours.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Apprentice
The apprentice has a responsibility to the employer, the union, and the J.A.T.C. Committee. It is the responsibility of the apprentice to attend classes, maintain a record of on-the-job training and other assigned duties before advancement. Follow he standards of the J.A.T.C. and the state law governing apprenticeship. Regular class attendance is mandatory as a condition of continuing employment.

Duties and responsibilities of the Employer and the Union: The Union, the Employer Association and the other employers subscribing to the J.A.T.C. Standards agree to see that all apprentices are employed, indentured, registered and trained in all phases of their apprentice classification to assure that the industry has skilled and qualified personnel.

Advantages:

To the Employer:
The opportunity to select personnel for an industry of expanding technology.
The opportunity to participate in a program designed to advance skills for the industry.
The ability to assure clients of qualified personnel.

To the Union:
The opportunity for members to elevate their status within the industry.
The opportunity to have qualified skilled personnel for referral.
The opportunity to share in the administration of the industry training program designed to meet the needs for expanding technology.

To the Apprentice:
The assurance of reasonably continuous employment.
The opportunity while learning to earn a good wage, including health and welfare, vacation and pension benefits.
The opportunity to train for a skilled and technological position.
The opportunity to work for an employer with an interest in the future of his employees.

Application Requirements
Applications are to be made, in person only, at the Southern Nevada Operating Engineers Journeyman and Apprentice Training center during advertised application periods. Applicants to be accepted for apprenticeship must meet the following requirements.

Legal resident of the U.S. - no less than eighteen (18) years of age.

Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. and provide a copy at the time of application.

Must provide a copy of legal state-issuesd birth certificate at time of application.

Must provide a copy of DD-214 or military discharge papers (if applicable).

Must provide a picture ID Valid drivers license required upon entry into the program.

Operator, repairperson and driller applicants must pass basic math, reading and mechanical comprehension tests. Surveyor and machinist applicants must have a background in Algebra and Geometry sufficient to obtain a satisfactory score on the math test given.

Appear before a J.A. T.C. board for oral interview.

Abide by the Drug Abuse & Protection Program including a substance abuse test.

The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the code of Federal Regulations, Part 30, and the State of Nevada Apprenticeship Council's State Plan for Equal Employment opportunity in Apprenticeship.

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