Mobile Crane Operator Branch 1 Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act
Compulsory Trade
Designated Red Seal Trade
Trade Code 339A
NOC 7371
Description
A hoisting engineer, also referred to as a Mobile Crane Operator (Branch 1), maintains and operates mobile cranes that are capabile of raising, lowering or moving material weighing more than 16,000 pounds. A “Mobile Crane” is a mechanical device or structure that incorporates a boom and is capable of moving in the vertical and horizontal plane and is able to raise, lower or move a load suspended from the boom, and is mounted on a mobile base or chassis and includes a telescoping or articulated boom. Duties include:
- Understanding and practicing safety precautions to protect yourself and others
- Being able to conduct pre-operational inspections, prepare and transport cranes
- Planning lifts
- Being able to assemble and dismantle cranes
- Performing rigging and setting up the cranes
- Operating hydraulic cranes and conventional friction cranes
- Performing regular maintenance on cranes
Personal Qualities
- You will be required to work outdoors, sometimes at great heights
- You are an extremely safety conscious person who learns and applies safety rules
- You can calculate crane capacity and weights carefully
- You keep calm and cool if things go wrong
- You communicate well with co-workers to ensure the safety of those on the ground working near your machinery
- You have good eyesight and hand/eye coordination
- Review Essential Skills profile for additional skills required www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/LES/index.shtml
Career Opportunities
- Hoisting engineers work through contractors or directly for commercial building developers, building construction firms, large manufacturing companies and heavy construction firms as well as small and medium companies
- Some mobile crane operators have their own companies
- The majority of hoisting engineers are union members
Educational/Training Requirements
- The minimum entry for apprenticeship is Grade 10; however, some employers will require Grade 12
- Completion of a 3 year apprenticeship program at 2,000 hours per year
- If you have completed 6,000 hours of on the job experience/training but have not completed the apprenticeship program you may be eligible to challenge the Certificate of Qualification
- Refer to www.oetio.com for up-to-date information on the training requirements
Training Availability
Trade Related Programs
Construction and Hoisting Techniques (Sept. 2011)
Durham College – Whitby Campus
1610 Champlain Ave.
Whitby, ON L1N 6A7
905-721-3000 www.start.durhamcollege.ca Apprenticeship Training
Durham College – Whitby Campus
1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby ON L1N 6A7
905-721-3300 durhamcollege.ca
Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario
Box 636, Lot 12580, Morrisburg ON K0C 1X0
613-543-2911 www.oetio.com
Potential Earnings
- Apprentices progress initially from 40% to 80% of a journeyperson’s wages over time
- Mobile crane operators earn more while operating the crane than while driving to the site
- Wages 1 ange from $17.00 – $19.00 for junior apprentices and $31 – $34 and hour for journeypeople, excluding overtime.
Prospects For Employment
- Ratio journeyperson/apprentice is 1:1
- Employment 1 is expected to be balanced for 2012 and 2014 and then good through 2019
- Employment opportunities are subject to annual peaks and valleys and are affected by the economy
Financial Incentives
- Employers who employ first, second and third year apprentices can apply for the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit
- Employers who employ first and second year apprentices can apply for the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
- Apprentices are able to apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
- Apprentices may also be able to apply for the Tradesperson’s Tools Tax Deduction
- Apprentices who complete their apprenticeship and earn their Certificate of Qualification are eligible for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant
