Crane & Hoisting Operator

Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator

Apprenticeship

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 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 levelling 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(S)

RELATED CAREERS

Note: Additional training and/or certification may be required.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

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)

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

Other Conditions: Seasonal, project-based, shift work

Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook and Manitoba Prospects

MINI SKILLS ASSESSMENT

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

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:

WAGES

Below you will find the annual salaries for apprentices and Journey Persons for a Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator

Minimum for Apprentices

Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba

$33,280

Average for Journey Persons

Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba

$52,395 – $105,000

For more information on apprenticeship wages, click here

TRAINING

Note: To receive the most up-to-date information about satisfying apprenticeship level requirements, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba or visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/

Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator

Program Length (Minimum Years)

Specializations

Mobile Crane Operator: 3 Years

Boom Truck Hoist Operator: 2 Years

Tower Crane Operator: 2 Years

Power Generation and Transmission (PGT): 3 Years

Level Requirements

Required Hours for each level (L)

Mobile Crane Operator:

L1: 1, 700 hours L2: 1, 700 hours L3: 1, 700 hours 

 

Boom Truck Hoist Operator:

L1: 1, 250 hours L2: 1, 250 hours 

 

Tower Crane Operator:

L1: 1, 500 hours L2: 1, 500 hours 

PGT Mobile Crane Operator:

L1: 300 hours L2: 300 hours L3: 300 hours 

 

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator:

L1: 300 hours L2: 300 hours L3: 300 hours 

 

Technical Training/Year (weeks in class)

Mobile Crane Operator:

Y1: 7 weeks Y2: 7 weeks Y3: 0 weeks 

 

Boom Truck Hoist Operator:

Y1: 7 weeks Y2: 5 weeks 

 

Tower Crane Operator:

Y1: 7 weeks Y2: 7 weeks 

 

PGT Mobile Crane Operator:

Y1: 7 weeks Y2: 6 weeks Y3: 6 weeks   

 

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator:

Y1: 7 weeks Y2: 4 weeks Y3: 5 weeks     

 

Additional Licensing

No

Trades Qualification Requirements (minimum experience required)

Minimum years of experience required

(within last 10 years)

Mobile Crane Operator: 4.5 years

Boom Truck Hoist Operator: 3 years

Tower Crane Operator: 3 years

PGT Mobile Crane Operator: Under development

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator: Under development

Minimum hours experience required

Mobile Crane Operator: 7,650 hours

Boom Truck Hoist Operator: 3,750 hours

Tower Crane Operator: 4,500 hours

PGT Mobile Crane Operator: Under development

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator: Under development

Practical Exam required

No

Compulsory Apprenticeship/Certificate of Qualifications required to work

Mobile Crane Operator: yes

Boom Truck Hoist Operator: yes

Tower Crane Operator: yes

PGT Mobile Crane Operator: no

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator: no

Red Seal Trade available

Mobile Crane Operator: yes

Boom Truck Hoist Operator: yes

Tower Crane Operator: yes

PGT Mobile Crane Operator: no

PGT Boom Truck Hoist Operator: no

ASSOCIATIONS

Click the links below for associations related to this career!