Pile Drivers - The are the people who work with pile-driving rigs. You know, those big machines that look like cranes, but shake the ground as they drive metal, concrete or wood piling into the earth during the early stages of construction. Usually, pile drivers are the firs workers at the construction site. They drive metal sheet piling to hold back the dirt during excavations. They drive concrete and metal piling as part of the foundation system upon which skyscrapers are built, and they drive wood and concrete piling to hold up docs, wharfs and bridges. In some cases they work on off-shore oil rigs and as commercial divers involved in underwater construction. Pile drivers are also required to install heavy timers and weld or cut large metal beams. If you like working outside with large equipment, heavy materials, and sometimes under extreme weather conditions, then you'll like the hearty occupation of the pile driver!

Training for pile drivers is generally available through local labor-management apprenticeship committees. These committees, made up of contractor and union representatives, make sure that you get proper instruction while you are working to earn a decent wage. The first thing to do is call your local Pile Driver union to get more information. Remember, Pile Drivers are members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, a proud organization with more than 650,000 members like yourself.

If you are still in school, you should take classes in mathematics, drafting and mechanical drawing, metal or industrial shop, or any construction courses which familiarize you with construction technology. These classes will help you to develop the dexterity and practical thinking skills you will need as an apprentice millwright.

Pile Drivers generally work eight-hour days starting at 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning. However, on projects like bridges, highways and overpasses, pile drivers may be required to work nights and weekends, and to travel long distances. In such cases the union sees to it that the Pile Driver is compensated with overtime pay and travel allowance. Apprentices usually start out helping journeymen with basic tasks like material handling, and move into more sophisticated jobs as their knowledge and skills increase. Overalls, hard hats, gloves, eye protection and steel toed boots are worn by pile drivers to protect them from falling objects and the dirt, oil and debris associated with heavy equipment and machinery. Pile drivers work with a variety of hand and portable power tools, and frequently cut, join and fasten metal construction materials using welding equipment and oxy-acetylene torches.