Assembler Pre-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.

Your Work Shapes the World

Whether it be groundbreaking products, best in class solutions or creating a lifelong career, you can do the work that matters at Caterpillar. With a 95-year legacy of quality and innovation and 150 locations in countries around the world, your impact spans the globe.

When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a team of makers, innovators and doers. We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation. We make it happen. And we are proud of that, because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – the roads, hospitals, homes and infrastructure.  Without a dedicated workforce Caterpillar could not effectively meet our customer’s needs.  Join us.

Description

The Caterpillar Assembly Pre-Apprenticeship program is a year and a half program that prepares high school students for employment specifically at the Caterpillar plant located in Clayton, North Carolina. Eligible high school students will take manufacturing related classes at Johnson Community College three days a week during their junior year spring semester and work/train at Caterpillar starting the following summer. Caterpillar compensates enrolled students for their time spent working at Caterpillar during the summer (up to 32 hours per week) leading into their senior year and during their senior year (minimum of 16 hours per week). At the completion of the program, successful graduates will have earned 10 free credit hours from Johnson Community College and a certificate from the North Carolina Community College System.

During the program, pre-apprentices will train for positions as a Product Assembler, and work in an environment that supports excellence. For a look at what we do in Clayton, NC, click here >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCryNdAAZA8

As a Product Assembler, you will work to assemble/test parts, components, or systems for BCP machines according to the specified work orders.  Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Uses various tools provided in the work area to perform assembly duties 

• Use of lifting devices to move heavy components of weights of more than 35 lbs 

• Rotation to various positions within the Job Function area to perform related activities 

• Follows documented procedures standard work, routings, and blueprints to perform safe and defect-free assembly and adjustment of components and prime product 

• Perform other related work duties as assigned 

• Follows and utilizes CPS principles of 5S, Continuous Improvement Idea Reporting, Waste Elimination, and Standard Work 

• Keeps work area in a clean and orderly condition 

• Contributing team member with effective communications skills 

Basic Qualifications

• Must be a high school Junior in good academic standing 

• Must register and participate in the Career & College Promise Program through Johnston Community College 

• Must have support of a parent or legal guardian 

• Must be eligible to work in the United States 

• Must have reliable transportation 

• Must attach two letters of recommendation (from teachers and/or school administration) 

• Must attach a resume containing current high school details (name of school, current year enrolled, GPA) 

Additional Information

Shift: 1st Shift

Hours: Part-Time (Minimum 16 hours and maximum 32 hours each week)

Compensation: $13.65

Work location: Clayton, NC

Final details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website at www.Caterpillar.com/Careers.

Summary Pay Range:

$13.65 - $18.00

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:

September 25, 2026 - October 13, 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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