‘Maybe this is possible’: Tribal participants discover pathways in heavy equipment careers
Vice president of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 139 Dan Sperberg guides a tour of the union’s training center near Coloma, Wisconsin.
Hands-on demonstrations at IUOE Local 139’s Goetz Training Facility offer a first look at apprenticeships and future jobs
Feb. 4, 2026
Located on nearly 400 acres in Coloma, Wisconsin, the Joseph J. Goetz Training Facility offers members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 a unique place to build hands‑on skills using heavy equipment and state‑of‑the‑art simulators. It’s here, far from busy job sites, where future operators learn to handle bulldozers, cranes, excavators and more.
“There’s a lot of great work happening right now in our state,” says Dan Sperberg, vice president, Operating Engineers Local 139. “We’re looking for people who want to become equipment operators—people interested in building things that last.”
Enbridge, a major employer in northwest Wisconsin, recently brought a group of 15 visitors—many of them tribal members—to tour the facility and learn what it takes to become an operating engineer. The Goetz Training Facility is home to the largest single apprenticeship program in the country for the trades, offering a clear pathway into skilled, high‑demand careers.
This effort builds on Enbridge’s ongoing work to support Native American job seekers. Since 2019, its partnership with Five Skies Empowerment Training has helped connect tribal community members to training and with unions, contractors and other organizations committed to expanding access to meaningful careers in skilled labor.
Heavy equipment simulators at the training center provide a peek at real-life experiences and a sense of the exceptional training offered there.
Set up for success
“We want to give back to the communities where we work,” says Gail Wahlberg, Tribal engagement manager for Enbridge. “There are fantastic career opportunities in the energy industry. Walking through the facility, seeing how to join the union, learning how apprenticeships work—it was really inspiring for the group.”
The timing is significant. When Enbridge receives regulatory approval, the Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project will become a major infrastructure project for the region—one that will require a robust workforce of trained construction laborers. That’s where the Goetz Training Facility comes in.
“This place prepares people to build highways, bridges and pipelines,” Sperberg explains. “We’ve been training pipeline operators here since the 1990s, showing them how to construct pipelines safely and responsibly.”
For band member LaShane, the experience was eye-opening. “I had reached out to Enbridge about opportunities, and they mentioned this training facility. I thought, ‘Oh, cool—I’d like to check that out.’ ”
During the tour, participants watched seasoned operators maneuver dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers across the training grounds. They also learned how trenches for pipelines are safely dug—giving them a realistic sense of what the upcoming Line 5 project will involve. Inside, the simulator room offered another highlight.
“The simulator room was my favorite part—it felt almost real,” LaShane recalls. “It was really interesting and fun. I’d definitely be interested in working for Enbridge on the Line 5 project.”
Connecting local residents to training and long-term careers benefits both the community and employers like Enbridge, who rely on skilled labor for essential projects. When those workers come from nearby communities, the impact is even greater.
Wahlberg saw that firsthand during the visit. “You could see a spark in people,” she said. “A moment of, ‘Maybe this is possible. Can I do this?’ And the answer is yes—you absolutely can. Supporting that spark and building opportunities for the next generation is incredibly meaningful. Bringing us together sets everyone up for success.”
