Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act
Compulsory Trade Trade Code 339B
NOC 7371
Description
“Tower Crane” is a mechanical device or structure that is of the travelling, fixed or climbing type and has a boom, power driven drum and wire rope to raise, lower or move material, and a vertical mast or tower and jib. Duties of the operator include:
- Understanding and practicing safety precautions to protect yourself and others
- Conducting pre-operational inspections
- Responsible for planning lifts, performing rigging and maintaining cranes
- Operating hammerhead cranes and luffer cranes
- Be able to climb cranes (internal)
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 qualifies www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/LES/index.shtml
- Adaptable to use robotics, computerized and electronic controls instead of mechanical operations
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, most employers and unions require Grade 12
- Completion of a 2 year apprenticeship program at 1,500 hours per year
- Changes have been made to the training rquirements, refer to www.oetio.com for up-to-date information on the training requirements
- If you have completed 3,000 hours of on the job experience/training but have not completed the apprenticeship program you may be eligible to challenge the Certificate of Qualification
Training Availability
Apprenticeship Training
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 70% of the journeyperson wages over time
- Mobile crane operators earn more while operating the crane than while driving to the site
- Wages 1 range from $16.95 – $37.48 an hour, excluding overtime, with journeypersons earning the higher end of the pay scale.
Prospects For Employment
- Ratio for journeyperson/apprentice is 1:1
- Employment 1 is expected to be fair through the year 2018
- 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
- Apprentices may be able to apply for the Tradesperson’s Tools Tax Deduction
