Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

non – apprenticeship

AT A GLANCE

As a Heavy Equipment Operator you are expected to perform these duties:

Servicing Machines:

CAREER VIDEO(S)

Source: CareerTrekBC

RELATED CAREERS

Note: Additional training and/or certification may be required.
FLAGPERSON
LABOURER, GENERAL & SKILLED
PROJECT MANAGER (HEAVY CONSTRUCTION)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environments for heavy construction careers are located outdoors 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 in-seat hours and/or experience:

Other Conditions: project based, work outdoors in all weather, stressful, may travel to remote locations, may work 40 – 50 hours per week

Source: Manitoba Prospects, Careercruising.com, industry experts

MINI SKILLS ASSESSMENT

If you answer YES to the questions below, then a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator may be right for you!

SPECIALIZED SKILLS REQUIRED

In addition, it would be great to do the following before pursuing this career path:

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 salary ranges for entry to senior level positions for a Heavy Equipment Operator or related field. (Source: Manitoba Prospects)

Manitoba Prospects 2013

(starting/average)

 

$31,200/38,800
Below is a sample career path and salary range in Manitoba’s heavy construction industry:
Job Title Salary Range Sample Duties
Labourer
$14.00 - $18.00/hour
  • Clean and clear up the worksite
  • Mix concrete, build and level concrete forms
  • Build or dismantle scaffolding
  • Work 2 - 3 years as a labourer before becoming HEO
Heavy Equipment Operator
$21.50 - $32.00/hour with 4+ years experience
  • Operate heavy equipment
  • Clean and lubricate equipment and refill equipment tanks
  • Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment
Foreman
$70,000 - $80,000/year
  • Supervise heavy equipment operators and labourers
  • Operate heavy equipment in difficult or hazardous situations
  • Work with another foreman to oversee specific project tasks

TRAINING

It is important to inform students that studying to become a heavy equipment operator does guarantee them a position in the heavy construction industry. Some entrance criteria to become a heavy equipment operators may include:

OETIM’s Eligibility Requirements:

Training institutions include, but are not limited to:

ASSOCIATIONS

Click the links below for associations related to this career!