There are over 10,000 heavy equipment operator positions in Illinois with a mean average salary of $71,540. Despite those numbers, the employment growth was only 4.2% in 2015.
Chicago and suburbs such as Oak Park and Arlington Heights offer the highest heavy equipment operator wages in Illinois.
Heavy equipment operator training courses
Associated Builders & Contractors
1541 Elmhurst Road Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
847-709-2960
[email protected]
The type of training provided in Elk Grove through the Associated Builders & Contractors is provided by the “learn your trade” network of career development. This is an apprenticeship offered by ABC-IL that allows students to complete a thorough coursework revolving around the operation of heavy equipment.
There are 75 ABC Chapters nationwide, so post-training employment is very diverse. Over the course of this training, students will learn safe and proper operation of bulldozers, scrapers, motor graders, and other machinery used to move the earth.
Industrial Training International
9925 Industrial Drive Bridgeview, Illinois 60455
800.727.6355
[email protected]
ITI offers heavy equipment and construction machinery education either at their facilities or as part of a mobile skills improvement program on-site. The courses are geared for forklift training, aerial lift operation, and construction equipment training.
Construction equipment provided for training includes a skid steer, truck, loader, and backhoe. Custom classes are also available in addition to the regular scope of coursework offered.
Caterpillar Equipment Training Solutions
5801 N. Smith Rd. Edwards, IL 61528 US
800.962.6628
For businesses or individuals who specifically use only Caterpillar equipment, the training facility in Edwards offers specialized skills improvement classes.A number of customized classes are available for Caterpillar operators.
Heavy equipment unions
Apprenticeship and Skill Improvement Program Local 150
Training Center 19800 W South Arsenal Rd Wilmington, IL 60481-8256
(815) 722-3201
The Local 150 training site in Wilmington is open on a year-round basis with instruction offered up to six days a week. The facility offers a place for apprentices and skilled employees a place to earn certifications to advance their careers and their training.
The Local 150 offers a full apprenticeship program for heavy equipment operators in Illinois. This is a multi-year course, featuring technical study as well as hands on application.
Local 841 Heavy Equipment Operator Training School
P.O. Box 400 Oakwood, IL 61858
217-354-4858
Apprenticeships through the Local 841 in Oakwood can be applied for only in January of each year. Once accepted, members can enjoy training either in Oakwood or throughout the state of Indiana, including the state-of-the-art facility in Universal, IN.
The large outreach of the Local 841 enables more choices when it comes to acquiring the on-the-job skills that are required for three to four years to successfully be eligible for journeyman status.