Heavy Equipment
Operator
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to find a new career?
A rewarding job with great pay and benefits? One where your work takes skill and where you can see your progress on a daily basis? Respected contractors and construction companies like E.T. Simonds need employees to work on everything from highway maintenance to building bridges. The work is secure, high-paying and rewarding, but landing these jobs has to be done in a specific way.
Many of workers hired by these companies are members or apprentice members of Operating Engineers Local 520, a Metro-East labor union that serves more than a dozen Southern Illinois counties. Individuals have to be in the union “pipeline” before landing the jobs. Becoming a member union requires some specific steps.
Many of workers hired by these companies are members or apprentice members of Operating Engineers Local 520, a Metro-East labor union that serves more than a dozen Southern Illinois counties. Individuals have to be in the union “pipeline” before landing the jobs. Becoming a member union requires some specific steps.
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YOUR GATEWAY TO SUCCESS
LOCAL 520 APPRENTICESHIP
First, those looking to work in the field, must be accepted into the Local 520 apprenticeship program by completing an application for certification classes, training and practical experience as apprentices. There is a very short window of opportunity to apply, and application dates are announced by Local 520, according to Union Vice President and Business Agent Donnie Ferrari.
93 years of serving its members.
Local 520 represents over 1600 members in 16 counties.
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to Become a Member of the
Local 520
Donnie Ferrari explains the application process, “There are three or four steps to that process: there is a test, just a basic knowledge test, and then an evaluation and an interview portion of it. It’s a lengthy process, but it's a good one and it shows the person what we are and about the work.”
To get started, interested individuals must apply for the program online when Local 520 is accepting Apprenticeship Evaluation Test requests. The most recently confirmed application window was May 19–25, 2025.
LOCAL 520 APPLICATIONLOCAL 520 APPLICATIONTo get started, interested individuals must apply for the program online when Local 520 is accepting Apprenticeship Evaluation Test requests. The most recently confirmed application window was May 19–25, 2025.
AGE & EDUCATION
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a High School Diploma or GED.
APPLYING
Applicants must be from one of the listed counties.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Possess a valid Illinois driver's license and be eligible to work in the U.S.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Must pass a physical examination and drug screening.
All applicants must be 18 (with proof) and have a high school diploma or GED as well as a valid Illinois driver’s license. Additionally, applicants must be from one of the following Illinois counties:
Bond
Calhoun
Clinton
Fayette
Green
Jefferson
Jersey
Macoupin
Madison*
Marion
Monroe
Montgomery
Perry
Randolph*
St. Clair
Washington
*Madison county includes both sides of the Mississippi River.
*Randolph county includes Kaskaskia Island, Horse Island and Crane Island.
Applicants must pass a physical examination and drug screening by a licensed facility, after selection and prior to placement on the job and must be legal residents of the United States or actively pursuing steps to become a citizen.
There is no charge to apply for the apprenticeship program, which last four years. Once accepted in the program, individuals will go through a mix of classroom or on-equipment instruction and work in the field with contractors such as Simonds.
A first-year apprentice will be paid for the on-the-job training at a rate of 50% of the Journeyperson scale. Pay increases will be given throughout the apprenticeship program based on work hours, training hours, and tests completed. The in-seat and classroom training is unpaid however; the apprentice does not pay to receive the training. Apprentices receive the same benefits as Journeyperson Operators.
THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Pension
Annuity
Vacation
Health insurance
Must meet initial eligibility requirements prior to receiving health insurance.
Throughout the apprenticeship, individuals are able to gain certifications, showing their training and skills in construction techniques and with equipment, everything from forklifts to high-rise cranes to working with hazardous materials and rigging materials to be lifted overhead.
“Obviously, the best case scenario for an apprentice is to put forth the effort and get every certification you can. That makes you more employable to our contactors,” Ferrari (Union Vice President) said.
He added that there are benefits far beyond career opportunities.
“The main thing about being a union operating engineer is, the benefits that you take away from it,” he said. “Plus camaraderie that you have with your brothers and sisters.”
COMPLETE THE
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Simonds Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need