For National Apprenticeship Week, we’re sharing stories of apprentices who are finding that a career as an operator can be fun, fulfilling and a great way to support a family. Apprentices earn while they learn, instead of racking up debt. And they contribute to communities in tangible ways.
Find out more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
Isabelle Schultz came to the trades after learning through experience that traditional college wasn’t for her.
“I tried going to college, and I did not like that,” she said.
A friend introduced her to a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, and Isabelle realized a career as an operator would be a good fit.
But breaking into the industry felt daunting.
That’s when she connected with Building Strong Communities, a multitrade apprenticeship preparatory program. The program gave her basic industry knowledge that set her up for success as an apprentice.
“They made sure we knew that early was on time, on time was late, and late was fired,” Isabelle said, adding that one of her favorite program components was the emotional intelligence class that taught soft skills related to working in construction.
She credits Building Strong Communities with helping her make connections that landed her a position even before she completed the program.
“Before I even graduated, I had an intent to hire form from Lunda,” she said.
Two and a half years into her apprenticeship with Local 49, Isabelle can’t imagine doing anything else.
“I love it. I really couldn’t see myself working an office job. This is a good fit for me.”
Learn more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
The Minnesota State Fair helped connect Mason Bandemer with his future career. That’s where he learned about the Operating Engineers Pathway through Local 49.
Mason enrolled in the Pathway and convinced several of his friends to do the same. Shortly after graduating in 2023, he entered the Local 49 apprenticeship program, working for Q3 in the distribution pipeline industry. He said his friends also landed in related industries.
He credits the Pathway program with giving him direction and helping him make the connections he needed to find a job as an operator.
The Pathway also prepared him for life as an operator. He found the lessons on financial planning in a seasonal industry especially helpful.
“I’m finding in my second year that makes a big difference,” he said.
Mason recommends any high school student who’s curious about the trades should enroll in the Pathway.
“The classes will give you good insight into if you’re going to want to do this career path or not,” he said. “It’s definitely a good start to get you into the vision of what you could be doing.”
Today Mason travels the region as part of a directional drilling crew.
“I’m loving it,” he said. “It’s pretty fun. … The pay is great.”
Learn more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
The first time Natalie Pilrain operated a mini excavator, she was hooked — she wanted to be an equipment operator. But she had an even more important reason to pursue a career in the trades.
“My biggest inspiration for becoming a heavy equipment operator was, hands down, my son,” she said. “I knew I needed and wanted a career that would … set us both up for success, and I knew that I could achieve those goals working in the trades, working union.”
The Building Strong Communities program helped her dream become reality. The multitrade apprenticeship preparatory program introduced Natalie to the industry and the skills she would need to succeed.
“I got to learn so much more than I thought I was going to,” she said. “I truly don’t think I would be as far as I am today without Building Strong Communities. I have had so many incredible opportunities because of the program.”
After graduating the program in the spring of 2024, she went to work for Ames Construction the same season. She said life as an equipment operator suits her well.
“What I love most about being an operator is I love playing in the dirt,” she said. “I’ve never loved a job more than I love being an operator. I’ve never been so dedicated to work. … Every morning I wake up, even if I’m tired, I still want to go to work.”
Learn more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
When Ty Seelye enrolled in IUOE Local 49’s Apprenticeship Readiness Training through MnDOT TERO, he wasn’t familiar with the construction industry and had never operated heavy equipment. But the program provided a solid foundation for him to build a career.
“We learned safety and how a jobsite’s going to work, how a jobsite’s going to look, and then taking care of your equipment,” Ty said.
He graduated the program in the summer of 2024 and, thanks to support from Local 49’s career navigators, was sponsored into the apprenticeship program the same summer by Kraemer North America.
Working on a real jobsite made him appreciate the training even more because he wasn’t “going in blind.”
“I can’t stress enough how much the program actually helped me out in the field with just being comfortable getting to know your equipment,” he said.
After a few months on the job, Ty feels good about his decision to go into the trades.
“Being an operator is a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s tricky work, but it’s fun work, and it’s rewarding work. I like the power you have and the precision you need to get the job done.”
Learn more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
The call came on her 18th birthday.
Marley Sherbon was hired as an operating engineer apprentice shortly after completing the Operating Engineers Pathway program and graduating high school.
“I was shocked to the point where I was in tears and my mom was in tears, because she was right next to me when I answered the call,” Marley said.
Since that joyful day in 2022, she’s helped build wind farms, traveled with an asphalt crew and worked on an I-90 bridge project.
Marley said the Pathway played a key role in preparing her for the field, and she’s excited that it’s growing in popularity with high school students.
“The Pathway is spot on getting you ready for the real world,” she said. “The Pathway gives you a lot of that math and basic machine knowledge that you’re going to need to know.”
As an apprentice, Marley said she appreciates the ongoing opportunities to hone her skills and learn from people with a variety of experiences. It’s not always easy, but she believes the hard work is worth it. And she feels satisfaction knowing her time is productive and her work makes a difference.
“Now, coming into my third year as an apprentice, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she said.
Learn more about apprenticeships with Local 49 here.
