Apprentices put their excavator, forklift, skid steer, backhoe, and crane operating skills to the test Sept. 13 at Operating Engineers Local 701’s heavy equipment rodeo.
The winner in each category received a championship belt buckle and a pair of boots.
The winners:
- Skid steer Benjamin Maeir
- Backhoe Zachary Jones
- Excavator Rebekka Lee
- Forklift Tyler Schiffman
- Crawler crane Ethan Crowley
- Rough terrain crane Alex Crowley
Local 701 hosted a similar rodeo last year. This year’s competition was just for apprentices. Apprenticeship Training Director Lonnie Land said the apprenticeship rodeo will be an annual event – one that he hopes other IUOE locals will copy.
One highlight: Participants got to use the training center’s new Link-Belt 85-ton rough terrain crane, the first new crane the center has ever acquired.
Families joined to watch the competitions, play in a bounce house, and enjoy a free lunch. Also in attendance was IUOE General President John Downey, who administered the oath of office to recently elected Local 701 officers.
