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Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane)  (NOC 7421)
Fredericton--Oromocto
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies.

backhoe operator, bulldozer operator, excavator operator, gradall operator, grader operator, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment operator apprentice, loader operator – construction, side boom tractor operator, surface mining equipment operator.

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Heavy equipment operators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, loaders and graders to excavate, move, load and grade earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities
  • Operate bulldozers or other heavy equipment to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites
  • Operate heavy equipment with pile driver head to drive piling into earth to provide support for buildings, bridges or other structures
  • Operate heavy dredging equipment to deepen waterways or reclaim earth fill
  • Operate heavy paving and surfacing equipment to lay, spread or compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction
  • Operate power shovels to excavate rock, ore or other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries or construction pits
  • Operate heavy equipment to move, load and unload cargo
  • Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and clean, lubricate and refill equipment.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Fredericton, Nackawic, Oromocto

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) in Fredericton--Oromocto

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) in Fredericton--Oromocto as well as in the rest of the New Brunswick.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Fredericton--Oromocto Fair 2012-05-14

Currently the chances of qualified Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) finding employment are considered to be fair in the local area.

Employment opportunities for Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) may vary in different communities across the province. You may want to check for specific opportunities in your community. Also, people who are able to work elsewhere may want to research the opportunities for this occupation in other areas of New Brunswick or in other provinces across the country.

According to the most recent (2006) Census, this is a medium-sized occupational group with a labour force of 485, and an unemployment rate (14%) that is above the average (8%) for all occupations in the area. Also, the average age of Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) is 43, which is above the average age (40) of all occupations.

According to the most recent Canadian Occupational Projections System (COPS) Forecast, the average annual employment growth rate for this occupation is below the average for all occupations in New Brunswick. Many of the jobs in this occupation can be found in these main industries: 1) Construction; 2) Public Administration; and 3) Mining (Except Oil and Gas).

This occupation is classified as "significant" because there is a large percentage of Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) working within the area and/or it is a strategically important occupation to the local labour market.

Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) is a seasonal occupation. Demand for this occupation is highly dependant upon major construction projects and good economic conditions. Qualified workers may have trouble finding employment during the off-season months. While 2010 saw record levels of construction in the area, this pace is not expected to continue in 2011 as both residential and non-residential construction eases in the coming year. Also, the economic downturn resulted in many individuals returning from work in Western Canada to search for work closer to home.

Being a larger occupational group, opportunities for Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) are generated by general turnover and attrition.

For more information on Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) (opportunities in other areas, training, who hires, current job openings and additional statistics), please click on one of the links below or select another option from the left sidebar.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Labour Market News

Week of May 13 – May 17, 2013

  • Fredericton MP Keith Ashfield announced, on behalf of Defence Minister Peter MacKay, that the Military Family Resource Centre at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown will undergo a $1.89M renovation and expansion. Simpson Building Contractors Ltd. of Fredericton was awarded the contract.
  • The re-construction of the Garrison District Ale House in downtown Fredericton is expected to begin in a few weeks with a reopening planned for August. Fire destroyed part of the structure in January resulting in 35 employees loosing their jobs. The owner expects to employ a similar number of workers once it reopens.

Week of Apr 22 – Apr 26, 2013

  • A job fair will be held in Fredericton on April 30th at the Delta Hotel for job seekers interested in working in Western Canada. Seven companies will be represented at the fair.

Week of Apr 15 – Apr 19, 2013

  • According to a building activity report released by the City of Fredericton development committee, overall construction activity in the first quarter of this year increased to $17.6M compared to $16.9M during the same period last year. It was also reported to be the highest first quarter construction value since 2008.
  • Shannex Inc. has received final approval to proceed with the construction of an 80-unit luxury retirement complex at 35 Patience Lane in Fredericton
[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the New Brunswick and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.