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

Caterpillar•Athens, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is partnering with the Great Promise Partnership (GP) and Work-Based Learning (WBL) programs in Georgia to give local high school students an opportunity to begin building a welding career. Apprentice welders work in welding functional areas to safely build excavators or small track-type tractors. This is an hourly apprenticeship beginning in January, paying $13.65–$19.28 per hour. Apprentices work approximately 40 hours per week during the summer and 20 hours per week during the school year, in four-hour blocks during the school year. Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors at a Georgia county high school participating in GP and/or WBL, have parent or legal guardian support, have reliable transportation to Caterpillar’s Athens plant, and be at least 16 by January 2027. Candidates must pass an AWS D1.1 weld test. Physical requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, include sitting or standing for prolonged periods, repetitive operations, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Resumes are strongly encouraged; failure to attach one may result in the application not being considered. Any employment offer is conditioned on successfully completing a drug screen.

Requirements

Be a rising junior or senior at a Georgia county high school participating in the Great Promise Partnership and/or Work-Based Learning program.
Have support of 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 able to work in four-hour blocks during the school year.
Pass the AWS D1.1 weld test: fillet welds in 2F (horizontal), 3F (vertical), and 4F (overhead) positions, plus a limited-thickness groove weld in the 1G (flat groove) position. Welds are visually inspected, destructively tested by bend test, and sectioned to verify proper penetration.
Be willing and able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to sit or stand for prolonged periods, perform repetitive operations, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.5 or better.
Experience operating robotic welding systems.
Experience reading blueprints.
Experience working in a manufacturing or welding environment.
A good discipline record.
Intermediate welding skills, such as MIG or TIG.
Proficiency in reading AWS welding symbols.
A resume is highly encouraged.

Responsibilities

Operate robotic and manual MIG welding machines.
Perform quality checks using weld and attribute gauges and other measuring tools.
Repair defective welds in station using grinders.
Follow documented procedures, standard work, and routings to perform safe, defect-free operations and create and machine components.
Safely build excavators or small track-type tractors in welding functional areas.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines.
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer time.
401(k) savings plans.
Health Savings Account (HSA).
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
Health Lifestyle Programs.
Employee Assistance Program.
Voluntary benefits and employee discounts.
Career development.
Incentive bonus.
Disability benefits.
Life insurance.
Parental leave.
Adoption benefits.
Tuition reimbursement.