Career Opportunities
Careers

As an Operating Engineer,
you have tons of choices.

Members of Local 18 are the men and women who build Ohio’s roads, bridges and tunnels.

We erect Ohio’s offices, hospitals, dams, pipelines and factories. We operate and maintain the bulldozers, motor graders, cranes and backhoes used to build Ohio’s infrastructure.

We work in private industry and in various areas of public employment.

Basic Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years old by May 1 in the year they apply.

Applicants must be able to read and do arithmetic well enough to progress in the classroom training and understand oral/written instruction.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Applicants must be interested in working outdoors in any type of weather conditions and be able to travel to distant work sites if required.

Applicants selected must have dependable transportation to get to both urban and rural construction job sites and have a working telephone where they can be contacted.

Applicants must show proof of a valid driver’s license before the beginning of the pre-apprentice orientation.

Applicants who do not have a current CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) will be required to obtain, at a minimum, a current Class B CDIP (Commercial Driver’s Instruction Permit) with air brakes endorsement, during the first year of the apprenticeship.

Applicants will receive a criminal background check. Any applicant having a felony conviction or having been under community control for a felony conviction within seven years of applying will not be eligible to enter the Apprenticeship Program.

Applicants will be drug tested during the application process at some point prior to indenture and must show a negative drug screen. Additionally, all indentured applicants shall be subject to random drug testing as outlined in the Apprenticeship Standards and the negotiated Union Contracts.

To receive credit (points) for educational achievements, applicants must have all high school transcripts, diplomas or GED certificates in the hands of the Training Program staff prior to program start.

Those persons claiming American Indian status must meet Ohio Department of Transportation requirements for verification. Birth certificates, tribal certifications or tribal registrations are acceptable means of verification, as well as any state or federal certification or enrollment.

Veterans Services

Local 18 is committed to helping veterans become reemployed in civilian life. Below are our veteran services representatives and the districts they cover. Just call the representative closest to your area for further information about how to become a member of Local 18 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Find your District’s Veteran’s Services Contact 

John Capek, Jr.
216-432-3131
800-452-1526
Counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain and Medina

Brett LaFaso
419-865-0221
800-952-5960
Counties: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams and Wood

Robert Hughes
614-486-5281
800-762-4070
Counties: Athens, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Marion, Meigs, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Union, Vinton and Wyandot

Michael Young
937-806-0406
800-452-1528
Counties (Ohio): Adams, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Mercer, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren
Counties (Kentucky): Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Pendleton

Preston Yuzwa
330-784-5461
800-452-1529
Counties: Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Monroe, Noble, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington and Wayne

Apply to Join Local 18

We take all applications online only through our website www.local18training.com

 

See what employers are saying about Local 18
Employers Support Local 18
Local 18 works hand in hand with Ohio’s contractors to provide our state with a highly trained, committed workforce to fill in-demand jobs. These relationships are good for workers, good for employers and good for Ohio.

“Since Vernon Nagel, Inc. became a union contractor working with the Operating Engineers Local 18, we have seen definite positive changes and growth within our company.” View More >>

“Our company’s transition from an open shop to a unionized labor force has been painless…” Trucco Construction View More >>

“Local 18 has supported R. B. Jergens for decades. This is a proud tradition that I both enjoy and like to recite. But our mutual success follows a simple formula – sustained cooperation and respect.” View More>>

“Since Ed Burdue & Co. LLC became signatory with the Operating Engineers Local 18, we have seen positive growth within our company.” View More >>

“AmQuip Crane Rental LLC prides itself on being a union contractor and working in conjunction with Operating Engineers Local 18.” View More >>

“The Great Lakes Construction Company has been working with the Operating Engineers Local 18 since the company was founded in 1948. It is comforting to know that we can call the local dispatcher and get a skilled, trained and safe operator. We have been able to successfully grow our company over the years with Local 18.” View More >>