Education · 1 of 4
The path
There is no school to finish first. You get hired, then trained.
- 1
Finish high school
Grade 12
A diploma or an equivalency certificate is what most mines ask for. Mechanical and electrical shop classes help you get picked.
- 2
Get hired
Weeks to months
Apply directly at mine offices and at the big operators. A clean driving record, a drug test and being willing to work nights matter more than grades.
- 3
New miner training
At least 40 hours
Federal rules under the Mine Safety and Health Administration require at least 40 hours of new miner training before you are assigned to work, with the self-rescue course done before you first go underground.
- 4
State certification
Days to weeks
Coal states run their own card systems. West Virginia, for example, runs 40 hour and 80 hour certified training courses through its state mining office.
- 5
Qualify on equipment
6 months to 2 years
Task training on each machine you run, signed off by the mine. Shuttle car, scoop, roof bolter, continuous miner, each is its own sign off.