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Crane Operators  (NOC 7371)
Northwest Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. They are employed by construction, industrial, mining, cargo handling and railway companies.

boom truck crane operator, bridge crane operator, climbing crane operator, construction crane operator, crane operator, dragline crane operator, gantry crane operator, hoist operator (except underground mining), mobile crane operator, tower crane operator, tractor crane operator.

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Crane operators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
  • Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting
  • Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures
  • Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas
  • Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side
  • Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards
  • Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials
  • Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels
  • Operate cranes mounted on boats or barges to lift, move and place equipment and materials
  • Operate dragline cranes to expose coal seams and ore deposits at open pit mines
  • May assemble tower cranes on site
  • Perform routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Greenstone, Keewatin, Longlac, Marathon

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Education & Job Requirements for Crane Operators in Northwest Region

Education and job requirements can vary by region. Workers in regulated occupations require a licence to work legally. Workers in non-regulated occupations do not require a licence, but employers may have other certification requirements.

Local Employment Requirements

Depending on the type of mobile hoisting equipment, operators may require a DZ or AZ driver's licence.

[Report Publication Date: 2012-07-27 |  Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Skills Requirements

There are often specific abilities, aptitudes and knowledge that are prerequisites to obtain employment in an occupation.

Most employers who advertise are looking for workers who have the following experience and skills:

Experience:
1-2 years

Specific Skills:
Lift, move or position equipment at work sites.

Additional Skills:
Perform routine maintenance work. Clean and lubricate cranes.

Essential Skills:
Oral communication, working with others, problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, reading text, job task planning and organizing and writing.

[Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

List of Associations

AssociationsLink opens in a new window are organizations that may provide news to its members about networking events, professional development and other common issues for people working in the same industry.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

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    Information on scholarships, bursaries, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

[ Source: CanLearn - HRSDC ]

Local Training

Trade certification is mandatory for crane operators in Ontario. More information on apprenticeship and certification can be found on the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Web site at http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/ under Apprenticeship.

Certified journeypersons in this trade can also obtain a Red Seal endorsement if they successfully complete an interprovincial standards Red Seal examination. (http://www.red-seal.ca/).

For more information on mobile crane operator in-school training, consult http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 delivers crane operator and other heavy equipment training at its Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). To take this training you must be a union member. Further information can be found at: www.oetio.com/.

Private training schools in Ontario also offer crane operator training. For more information: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/ (search for "Private Career College Search Service")

[ Report Publication Date: 2012-07-27 | Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Information for Newcomers

Getting your language skills assessed

If you do not know what your English or French language level is, visit one of the Language Assessment Centres across Canada. They will assess your language level and direct you to the appropriate language training program.

[ Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada ]
Please consult the Ontario and Canada tabs for more useful information related to education and job requirements.