GP/WBL Partnership: High School Manufacturing Apprentice Program (Athens GA)

Caterpillar•Athens, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is partnering with the Great Promise Partnership and Work-Based Learning programs in Georgia to give local high school students an opportunity to begin a manufacturing career. Apprentices work in either assembly or logistics at the Caterpillar Athens plant, supporting the safe production of excavators or small track-type tractors. This hourly apprenticeship starts at $13.65 per hour. Apprentices must be rising juniors or seniors at a Georgia high school participating in the relevant program, and must have parent or legal guardian support and reliable transportation to the plant. Assembly apprentices follow documented procedures to assemble and adjust parts and components safely and without defects, apply lean manufacturing concepts to continuous improvement and waste elimination, and use industrial power tools and lifting devices. Logistics apprentices perform material handling and warehousing, order fill, process, store, and pick parts and supplies, conduct basic quality assessments, and use documents to verify part numbers, locations, and quantities. Apprentices must be at least 16 years old by January 2027. Work is approximately 40 hours per week in summer and 20 hours per week during the school year. Assembly apprentices must be available for four-hour school-year work blocks beginning no later than 1:30 p.m.; Logistics schedules have more flexibility. Multiple openings are expected to start in January for training. The position has a listed pay range of $13.65 to $19.28 per hour. Employment offers are conditioned on successful completion of a drug screen.

Requirements

Be a rising junior or senior at a Georgia high school participating in the Great Promise Partnership and/or Work-Based Learning program.
Have support from a parent or legal guardian.
Have reliable transportation to the Caterpillar Athens plant.
Be at least 16 years old by January 2027, before the start date.
Be available to work approximately 40 hours per week in summer and 20 hours per week during the school year.
Assembly apprentices must be able to work four-hour blocks during the school year, with a start time no later than 1:30 p.m.
For Assembly: Be willing and able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to sit or stand for prolonged periods, perform repetitive operations, and lift up to 35 pounds.
For Logistics: Be willing and able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to frequently lift and carry boxes weighing up to 35 pounds for 15–30-minute intervals and infrequently lift and carry boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
For Logistics: Be willing and able to work in frequently changing temperatures and to walk, squat, and bend over for 15–30-minute intervals.

Nice To Haves

Basic computer skills, including operating a Windows-based computer and proficiency with Microsoft software.
Experience working in a team-based environment.
Experience working in manufacturing.
Knowledge of standard assembly tools.
Providing a resume is highly encouraged.

Responsibilities

For Assembly: Follow documented procedures to safely assemble and adjust parts and components while preventing defects.
For Assembly: Use lean manufacturing concepts to support continuous improvement and eliminate waste.
For Assembly: Use industrial power tools and lifting devices to assemble and move heavy components.
For Logistics: Perform material handling and warehousing functions.
For Logistics: Order fill, process, store, and pick parts, materials, equipment, and supplies.
For Logistics: Conduct basic quality assessments of parts for damage and defects.
For Logistics: Use documents to verify part numbers, part locations, and quantities.