At a glance

Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operators service and operate the hoist and swing equipment that is used to lift, move, and place machinery and other large objects at construction sites and industrial yards.

There are three types of crane and hoisting equipment :

• Mobile cranes
• Boom trucks
• Tower cranes

Mobile Crane Operators service and operate mobile cranes that raise, lower, or move heavy materials. The crane is mounted on crawlers or a wheeled frame and has a projecting swinging arm with a hoisting apparatus. Mobile Crane Operators may drive the crane to the job site, rig the machine, and set up the machine for the lift using blocking and leveling materials.

Boom Truck Hoist Operators set up units and service and operate hydraulic booms (movable arms) that are mounted on trucks. Operators learn how to lift, move, and place materials or equipment and are certified according to the weight of the material they move.

Tower Crane Operators service and operate travelling, fixed or climbing-type hoisting equipment that has a vertical mast or tower and a jib (protecting arm). Tower Crane Operators are often involved in assembling cranes on-site.

Note: Some operators work with all three types of equipment, while others specialize in operating one type.

Career Video

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Work environment

Work environments for construction careers can be located outdoors or indoors or both. Work hours may vary as well. Some positions are seasonal while others are all year round, but part-time. Other positions are project-based and may require you to work full-time until the project is complete. And, of course there are careers that have full-time hours all year round.

Below is a list of workplaces where you might find opportunities to gain apprenticeship hours and/or experience. (Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook and Manitoba Prospects)

• Construction companies
• Railways
• Industrial cargo-handling companies

Other conditions: seasonal, project-based, shift work

• Power Generation and Transmission (PGT): Mobile Crane Operator and Boom Truck Hoist Operator*

*Manitoba Hydro is the only employer in Year 3 & beyond

Mini Skills Assessment

If you answer YES to the questions below, then Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator may be the career for you!

• Do you have strong depth perception?
• Do you have good communication skills?
• Can you work in high places?
• Are you good with your hands?

Essential Skills Profiles

The Government of Canada Job Bank has identified Nine Literacy and Essential Skills (Reading, Writing, Document Use, Numeracy, Computer Use, Thinking, Oral Communication, Working with Others, and Continuous Learning).

Below you will find links to the Essential Skills Profiles for this occupation and/or related ones.

• Mobile Crane Operators

Wages

Below you will find the annual salaries for apprentices and journeypersons for a Crane and Hoisting Operator

For more information on apprenticeship wages, visit

http://www.gov.mb.ca/wdis/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/index.html

Training

Note: To receive the most up-to-date information about satisfying apprenticeship level requirements, contact Apprentice Manitoba or visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/wdis/apprenticeship/index.html