Heavy Equipment Classes Now Available to Washington Online Schoolers
July 12 2023 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612 and
Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA) have partnered with its
charter, the Omak School District, and school districts across the
state, to offer the new Operating Engineers Career Pathway Program
to high school students.
This program gives students the opportunity to enroll in online
elective courses that are designed to introduce them to the heavy
equipment industry. Students also may have the opportunity to
receive hands-on experience operating equipment at the Local
302/612 Training Center in Ellensburg, WA.
Pathway participants earn high school credit and are also
eligible for apprenticeship credit after graduation. Students can
remain enrolled in their local school while taking four,
one-semester classes that cover topics from equipment fundamentals
to grade and construction math. The online classes offer
flexibility, and in-person learning events that provide hands-on
experience and industry networking opportunities.
The program's success comes as companies report a shortage of
skilled labor. And jobs in the trades have gained attention for
being meaningful careers with good wages & benefits, without
the need for burdensome college debt.
Programs in other states like Minnesota and Wisconsin have been
highly successful. Fall enrollment for this program in Washington
is available as of today.
“This is an amazing opportunity for students to learn about this
life-long career pathway, while still in high school,” said Susan
Mouracade-Boyer, Executive Director of WAVA. “Students get job
skills and a whole new appreciation for what it takes to get these
important jobs done.”
“The state of Washington will always need people for skilled
labor jobs. They are never going to go away. With this Operating
Engineers program, we can get some young people excited about their
future, provide them with skills, and hopefully move them on to
high paying apprenticeships in this important field,” said Kevin
Tedrick, Assistant Business Manager of IUOE Local 612.
Builders, contractors, and their industry groups have been
advocating for this kind of early hands-on learning for high school
students as a way to show them the great career pathways available
in the building trades.
“This is a great opportunity for students to progress on their
pathway to graduation and learn valuable skills to help fill
family-wage jobs right here in Washington,” said Al Audette,
Director of Education and Workforce Development at the Building
Industry Association of Washington.
To learn more, contact WAVA, visit the Local 612 website, or
contact Kevin Tedrick at the information listed below.
About Local Operating Engineers Local 612
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612
represents over 2,500 members in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, and
Pacific counties. We cover all Highway, Marine, Heavy Construction,
and Engineering projects including Mining, Drilling, Surveying,
Utilities and Site Development. For more information visit Local
612.
About Local Operating Engineers Local 302
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302
represents all counties in Washington State except for those
covered by Local 612 and 701 and also covers the entire State of
Idaho. Between the two states, Local 302 has about 7,000 members.
We cover all Highway, Marine, Heavy Construction, and Engineering
projects including Mining, Drilling, Surveying, Utilities and Site
Development. For more information visit Local 302.
About Local Operating Engineers Local 701
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701
represents over 3,800 members in entire State of Oregon and the
following area in the State of Washington: The counties of
Klickitat, Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and that portion of
Pacific County south of a straight line made by extending the north
boundary line of Wahkiakum County west to the Pacific Ocean and the
Pacific Ocean. We cover all Highway, Marine, Heavy Construction,
and Engineering projects including Mining, Drilling, Surveying,
Utilities and Site Development. For more information visit
www.iuoe701.com.
About Washington Virtual Academies
Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA) is a full-time online
public-school program of the Omak School District serving
Washington students in grades K-12. As a public school, WAVA is
tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the
curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN).
Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn
and build skills for their future. For more information about WAVA,
visit http://wava.k12.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712725585/en/
Kevin Tedrick Assistant Business Manager IUOE Local 612
253-569-2334 kevin@iuoe612.org Stride, Inc. Ken Schwartz Sr.
Manager, Corporate Communications kschwartz@k12.com
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