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Heavy Equipment Operator

Opreates construction and other heavy industrial mobile and equipment and machinery.

Who Am I?

Could you operate large machinery? Can you work as part of a team on a job site where many things are going on at once? Do you have good communication skills? Can you listen and follow instructions? Do you have sound judgment? Then, Heavy Equipment Operator may be the job for you!

What do I do?

Heavy Equipment Operators run machines like excavators, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks and loaders, graders, compactors, scrapers, crawler tractors, shovels, backhoes, and pavers. If you choose this job, you will be part of a team that builds and maintains roads. You will also work on commercial and residential site preparation, bridge building, and sewer and water projects. You may also lubricate, fuel, adjust, and assist in repairs to equipment.

As a junior Heavy Equipment Operator, you will start out on machinery that is easier to operate. This includes compactors or small rubber tire loaders. As you gain experience and show ambition, the company will train you on more complex equipment.

How much do I make?

On average, you earn $14.25 / hour plus benefits.

In addition to the basic hourly rate, employers provide statutory holiday and vacation pay. Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. In total, benefits can be worth 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate. The standard workweek is 40 hours. As with most jobs in construction, some overtime is possible particularly in the summer months.

How do I advance?

With experience and additional training, you may advance to more senior positions. These include safety officer or trainer, job foreman, superintendent, or other supervisory positions. Many operators go on to start and successfully run their own businesses. Like most careers in the construction industry, your skills in this occupation are portable. If you want to relocate, you can take your skills with you.

How do I Learn?

Most Heavy Equipment Operators learn entirely on-the-job. Heavy construction companies prefer to train their own people. Heavy Equipment Operator is neither a designated trade nor a designated occupation. Currently, there is no recognized accreditation or standard of competency in Manitoba although work is underway in this area. You can get a jump-start on your future career in the construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools. These hands-on courses will help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry.

How long will it take?

How long it takes you to become a competent Heavy Equipment Operator depends on how much you work and how quickly you learn.

Where do I go from here?

You can find work with many busy firms that own or lease heavy equipment used in the construction, mining, forestry, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, agriculture and transportation industries. Rural municipalities, public utilities, cities and towns also require heavy equipment operators for their equipment fleets.

Where can I find out more?

For more information on training for the roadbuilding and heavy construction industry, visit the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association website at www.mhca.mb.ca