The Gregory Poole Construction Equipment Company, the exclusive Caterpillar dealer for eastern North Carolina, offers apprenticeship opportunities for Wake Tech students who want to work on construction equipment. The apprentices learn how to troubleshoot and repair diesel engines, power trains, transmissions, braking systems and hydraulics on heavy equipment for construction, forestry, agriculture and other industries.

As students in Wake Tech's one-year Construction Equipment Systems Technology Diploma program, apprentices attend classes on Mondays and Tuesdays and receive on-site training the remainder of the week at Gregory Poole headquarters in Raleigh. Their tuition, fees and books are paid through WakeWorks, and they earn a salary at Gregory Poole.

Once they complete their diplomas, they stay on as apprentices at Gregory Poole on a graduated pay scale. After completing 2,000 hours of training, they earn a nationally recognized Journeyworker certificate that indicates mastery of the skills in their field.

After earning a diploma, the technicians can pursue an associate degree in Construction Equipment Systems Technology. That degree can transfer to East Carolina University's Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program, which is offered on site at Wake Tech.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 919-334-1624.