Sussex Tech to launch new heavy equipment apprenticeship program
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – A new, unique career opportunity is coming to Sussex Tech in the form of a bulldozer.
Sussex Tech Adult Education recently purchased a bulldozer with funds received from the Delaware Apprenticeship Expansion Grant.
According to Mike Hague, Industrial Training Coordinator for Sussex Tech Adult Education, the bulldozer is one of many pieces of large equipment the school will purchase for their new Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship (HEO).
“It’s a three year apprenticeship program,” Hague explained. “It consists of 432 hours of theory, book instruction basically, accompanied with 6,000 hours of on-the-job training.”
In addition to the bulldozer, the school will purchase simulators, an excavator, and a compact track loader. The simulators will be used for both adult education and high school students. As equipment is received it will be fitted for safety and teaching use.
The HEO program is designed to meet the growing demands for skilled heavy equipment operators on a range of job sites and will cover topics including basic and safe operations, earth moving and grading, interpreting civil drawings, excavation math, and more.
Upon completion of the program, officials say graduates will be eligible to earn their Journeyperson credential through the Delaware Department of Labor.
Anyone, regardless of whether or not they have a high school diploma, can register and take part in the program.
“We would like students in other schools to be able to participate in the program,” Hague told our Rob Petree. “The program operates in the evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., so if you really have a go-getter, high level kind of attitude and want to start your apprenticeship training while you’re still in high school, you can come to our program.”
The program is slated to start this coming February.
Sussex Tech Adult Education also offers apprenticeship courses in Automotive Tech, Carpentry, Electrical, Electrical Systems Tech, HVAC and Plumbing and Welding are currently being offered.
For additional information and/or registration visit sussexvt.org/adulted or call Julie Gould at 302-853-1560.
