Become a Pile Driver
Pile Drivers build the foundations of our community. They drive, install, repair and remove the deep piles, foundations, steel sheeting and shoring upon which buildings, bridges, docks and more depend. They create retaining walls that hold back dirt and water for bridge construction, tunnels and bulkheads. Pile Drivers direct work processes utilizing large crane-like machines that drive or drill metal, concrete or wood piling into the ground. They frequently weld and cut large metal beams and sheeting.
Pile Drivers almost always work outdoors; at times, they work on barges and other floating stations, or even under water. Hours can be long, especially in the summer, and the nature of the industry means they travel where needed.
Pile Drivers need good math skills and the ability to read blueprints and interpret engineering specifications. They learn welding, cutting, rigging, safety and environmental regulations.
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Apprenticeship
To graduate from pile driver apprentice to journeyworker, you will complete 7,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 640 hours of classroom learning. Completion hours may vary depending on the region you belong to. Pile driver apprentices will be evaluated through demonstrations of skill and technique, and standard knowledge exams.
Sample Courses
- OSHA, construction fall protection, aerial lift, rough terrain forklift
- Introduction to Pile Driving
- Rigging Techniques for Pile Drivers
- Oxygen and Acetylene Cutting, First-Aid/CPR/AED
- Pile Driver Welding Level 1 – T-joint and V-groove welding
- Crane and Rig Setup
- Pile Driver Welding Level 2 – circular pile welding
- Pile Driver Welding Level 3 – limited and vertical welding
- Blueprints and Layouts
- Bridge – falsework setup and teardown
- Pile Driver Welding – FCAW welding (40 hours)
- Rigging
- Exclusion Retention Structures
- Formwork – footings, slabs, decks
- Earth Strata and Retaining Structures
- Pile Driver Welding – AWS Certification