Not enough people are stepping up to the excavator, dozer or backhoe, and that’s a big problem when the economy is fueling a need for heavy equipment operators.

“We’ve seen an alarming decline in the number of people working in the skilled trades,” said Russ Rivera, compliance officer with Idaho Transportation Department.

To boost interest, the ITD and Associated General Contractors of America will offer a three-week heavy equipment operator school June 8-30 in Rathdrum.

It’s free, including lodging, for up to 20 people, even if they live outside Idaho. Program managers are especially interested in recruiting military veterans, including disabled vets. The national unemployment rate for young vets rose in January to 6.3 percent, higher than the general unemployment rate of 4.8 percent.

Average hourly pay for these jobs rose by over 3 percent in the past year, to $28.52 per hour/Scott Maben, SR. More here.