Mechanic Apprentice
Apply now »Date: Oct 22, 2026
Location: Petersburg, VA, 80465, US, 23803
Company: Gerdau
Earn while you continue your education and get hands-on experience. Our skilled and experienced employees will mentor you as you rotate through our different departments gaining valuable experience. Starting pay is $27.88. You will work 6 am to 2:30 pm, Monday – Friday with a minimum of a 36-hour work week to give you time for your classes and studies.
We Have:
- A strong global presence with mini-mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat-rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the automotive industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.
- A culture that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation, and creates products that serve humanity.
- An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology.
We Offer:
- Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1st day of hire
- Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account)
- 100% Matching 401K up to 6%
- Life/Accidental Life Insurance
- Health Advocate Services
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Career Path System and Training
Qualifications Required:
- High school diploma or GED.
- Enrolled in a verifiable maintenance technical training program.
- Understanding of shop mathematics with the use of drawings, specifications, charts, tables, and precision measuring instruments.
- Basic understanding of some or all the following maintenance disciplines: AC/DC motors, gearbox mechanics, lubrication principles, welding, cutting torch, NFPA 70E, and common maintenance hand tools preferred.
- 1-2 years of experience working in an industrial environment in a position containing a routine maintenance component.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Complete a variety of duties pertaining primarily to basic techniques of maintenance functions using a variety of hand tools.
- Take care to properly dismantle, repair, lubricate, reassemble, or otherwise work in general maintenance on hydraulics, pneumatics, pipe fitting, assembling, and installation.
- Perform basic electrical maintenance repair on noncomplex circuitry.
- Adjust, clean, or lubricate equipment as preventive maintenance.
- Tear down, replace, repair, assemble, and install standard, non-complex equipment, parts, components, and accessories.
- Perform work in other maintenance crafts as necessary, such as burning, welding, fabricating, machining, and other duties, and work assignments as required and directed.
- Must display aptitude in at least one of the basic crafts of electrician, millwright, fabricator, welder, or vehicle mechanic.
- Start, observe, operate, or otherwise activate equipment to detect or verify correction of malfunction.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Operate mobile equipment to lift and transport materials, including loaders, cranes, man-lifts, brick-lift, and forklifts.
- Ensure daily preventative maintenance is performed on vehicles and mobile equipment, which may include fueling, cleaning, and checking/adding fluids as needed.
- Follow all PPE requirements and safety rules and guidelines for all tasks being performed.
- Assist in training of coworkers as needed.
- Maintain communication with coworkers through two-way radio and hand signals.
- Demonstrate ability and willingness to work as part of a self-directed team with limited supervision.
- Maintain work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition.
- Exhibit engagement in Gerdau Business System tools and methodology.
- Use basic computer skills.
Physical Requirements:
- After graduating with a degree, you must be able to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, including days, nights, and two consecutive weekend a month.
- Ability to climb stairs, climb ladders, reach, squat, tolerate prolonged standing or walking, balance, bend, operate mobile equipment, crawl, kneel, and push and pull objects.
- Ability to work in extreme ambient temperatures up to 160°F.
- Ability to work in cramped quarters and at heights up to 180 feet.
Nearest Major Market: Richmond