GP/WBL Partnership: High School Manufacturing Apprentice

Career Area:

Operations

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Caterpillar is partnering with the Great Promise Partnership/Work-Based Learning programs in the State of Georgia to offer local high school students an opportunity to start building a manufacturing career.  While working at Caterpillar Inc., you will work in an environment that supports excellence. High School Apprentices will work in either assembly or logistics functional areas to safely build excavators or small track-type tractors. This is an hourly position starting at $13.65/hr.  Must be a rising Junior or Senior at a Georgia County high school participating in the Great Promise Partnership and/or Work-Based Learning program to be considered.

Watch our video to see our team build top-of-the-line excavators and tractors.

As an Assembly Manufacturing Apprentice, you will:

• Follow documented procedures to perform safe and defect free assembly and adjustment of parts and components.
• Leverage lean manufacturing concepts to support continuous improvement and waste elimination. 
• Use industrial power tools for assembly and lifting devices to move heavy components.

As a Logistics Manufacturing Apprentice, you will:

• Perform material handling and warehousing functions.
• Order fill, process, store and pick parts, materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Conduct basic quality assessment of parts for damage and defects.
• Additionally, you will work from a variety of documents to verify part numbers, part locations and quantities.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a state of Georgia High School rising Junior or Senior at a school in partnership with the Georgia Great Promise Partnership and/or Work-Based Learning program
• Must have support of parent or legal guardian
• Must have reliable transportation to the Caterpillar Athens plant
• Must be able to work during school year in 4-hour blocks of time with a start time no later than 1:30 pm for Assembly assignment. We have more flexibility of working hours for Logistics assignment.
• Must be 16 years of age or older by January 2027 (prior to start date)

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):

Assembly:

• Willing and able to sit or stand for prolonged periods
• Willing and able to perform repetitive operations
• Willing and able to lift up to 35 lbs.

Logistics:    

• Willing and able to frequently lift and carry boxes weighing up to 35 pounds for intervals of 15-30 minutes
• Willing and able to infrequently lift and carry boxes weighing up to 50 pounds
• Willing and able to work in an environment with frequently changing temperatures
• Willing and able to walk, squat and bend over for intervals of 15-30 minutes

Top candidates will also have:

• Basic computers skills – operating computer in Windows-based environment & Microsoft proficiency
• Experience working in a team-based environment
• Experience working in manufacturing
• Knowledge of standard assembly tools

Additional Information: 

Resumes are highly encouraged for all applicants.  Failure to attach a resume may lead to application to not be considered. This is an hourly apprenticeship position with a wage of $13.65/hour and has multiple openings that will start in January for training. 

Apprentices will work approximately 40 hours/week in summer and 20 hours/week during school year. Apprentices assigned to Assembly must be able to work during school year in 4-hour blocks of time with a start time no later than 1:30 pm. We have more flexibility of working hours for Logistics assignment.

Summary Pay Range:

$13.65 - $19.28

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 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

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates:

November 6, 2026 - November 22, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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