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CRANE & HOISTING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – TOWER 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. Tower crane operators service and operate traveling, fixed, climbing or self-erecting 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.
Tower crane operators are often involved in assembling the crane on-site.
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Tower Crane (tower 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, tower crane operators need:
Tower 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 tower crane operators may advance to supervisory positions, or set up their own crane rental businesses.
To work as a Tower 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)
Tower 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 tower 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.
Tower 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 tower crane operator is 2 years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1000 hours of on-the-job training and 3 weeks of technical training in the first year, and minimum of 1000 hours of on-the-job training in the second year
To learn the skills required of a tower 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 tower crane operators earn at least 70 percent of the journeyman wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, and 85 percent in the two year.
- there is no technical training available at present - in lieu of technical training and upon completion of all the required on-the-job training and the term of apprenticeship, the apprentice may attempt the 1st period theory and practical examinations (no fee) and if the apprentice is successful, he/she can complete his/her apprenticeship program.
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. More information is available at www.alis.gov.ab.ca or by contacting an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Tower Crane Operator trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program.
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 - Tower Crane Operators)
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 mobile crane operator, hydraulic mobile crane operator, or conventional mobile crane operator must have at least 1,050 hours and 18 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a tower crane operator
- a certified heavy or medium boom truck operator or old boom truck operator must have at least 1,500 hours and 20 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a tower crane operator
- a certified wellhead boom truck operator must have at least 2,850 hours and 20 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a tower 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 - Tower Crane Operators)
Tower Crane
Spierings Self-Erecting Crane
Spierings Self-Erecting Crane
Spierings Self-Erecting Crane
