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CRANE & HOISTING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – MOBILE CRANE |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Crane and hoisting equipment operators service and operate the hoist and swing equipment used to move machinery, materials and other large objects. Mobile crane operators service and operate booms that are mounted on crawlers or wheeled frames as well as traveling, fixed or climbing type hoisting equipment with a vertical mast or tower and a jib.
Operators manipulate a number of pedals and levers to rotate the crane, and raise and lower its boom and one or more loadlines. Some or all of these operations may be performed simultaneously.
Certification is required when operating mobile cranes with a lifting capacity of fifteen tons (13.6 tonnes) and over. Mobile crane operators also may drive the crane to the job site, rig the machine up (pin the boom and pendant cables and pull the hoist cable in preparation for operation), and set up the machine for the lift (i.e., make it level and stable) using blocking and leveling materials.
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Mobile Crane (mobile crane operator) work outdoors, often in noisy, dusty conditions. They work in various locations throughout Alberta, in all types of weather. A 40-hour, five-day week is normal, but overtime may be required to meet construction deadlines.
Occupational hazards include injuries resulting from power line contact, crane overload, falls, weather conditions or manual lifting.
Successful operators are capable decision-makers prepared to work independently when necessary. Yet they also enjoy the comradery of being part of a team and traveling to different locations. They often like variety in their work.
To be successful in the trade, mobile crane operators need:
Mobile crane operators are employed by general contractors and subcontractors in the forestry, mining, construction and oil industries, and by crane rental companies. Employment prospects change with seasonal and economic climates. Many crane operators are members of unions.
Journeyman wage rates vary, but generally range from $24 to $38 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced mobile crane operators may advance to supervisory positions, or set up their own crane rental businesses.
To work as a Mobile Crane Operator in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Mobile crane operators learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A mobile crane operator who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A mobile crane operator who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Journeyman Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Mobile crane operators who have no trade certification but can prove that their skills and work experience meet the standards set for journeymen in Alberta may apply for certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, a document indicating that the individual holds a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate, or a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a mobile crane operator is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 4 weeks of technical training* in the first year, a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training in the second year, and 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 5 weeks of technical training* in the third year.
* 1st period requires 60 hours of self-study prior to commencing technical training.
* 3rd period requires 30 hours of self-study prior to commencing technical training.
To learn the skills required of a mobile crane operator in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice mobile crane operators earn at least 70 percent of the journeyman wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 80 percent in the second, and 90 percent in the third year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for mobile crane operator apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets, and click here to view the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Policy on Cheating)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyman or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator - Mobile Crane Operator)
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized certificate, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Journeyman Equivalency document. Because some employers may not be familiar with these certificates, the holder may choose to apply for an Equivalency document.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a non-recognized certificate, a person must:
An applicant who chooses to write the exam(s) must:
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator - Mobile Crane Operator)
An applicant who chooses to have their skills and knowledge assessed (instead of writing an exam) must:
- complete the Equivalency Application – Alternate Assessment and submit it to an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
- pay the non-refundable application fee as identified on the application noted above
The Alternate Assessment process includes an assessment of the standards that the certificate is based on compared to Alberta's standards, and verification and assessment of the applicant's previous work experience, skills, knowledge and training in the trade. The application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's experience in the trade.
An applicant whose trade credential from another Canadian province or territory is currently not valid (has expired) in the jurisdiction for which it was originally issued may apply to the Qualification Certificate Program to have their experience assessed and examined.
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate, a person must:
- a certified heavy boom truck operator (or old boom truck) must have at least 3,750 hours and 29 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a mobile crane operator
- a certified medium boom truck operator must have at least 5,250 hours and 44 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a mobile crane operator
- a certified wellhead boom truck operator must have at least 6,600 hours and 53 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a mobile crane operator
- a certified tower crane operator must have at least 4,500 hours and 38 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a mobile crane operator
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator - Mobile Crane Operator)
Mobile Crane (550 ton lifting capacity)
Conventional Crane (1600 ton lifting capacity)
