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CRANE & HOISTING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – WELLHEAD BOOM TRUCK |
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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. Wellhead boom truck operators set up and operate hydraulic booms used for wellhead pumping, wireline, perforating, coiled tubing, snubbing, and the rig-up and rig-out of slant service rig operations.
Operators manipulate a number of pedals and levers to rotate the crane and raise and lower loads. They often perform all or some of these operations simultaneously.
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Wellhead Boom Truck (wellhead boom truck 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, wellhead boom truck operators need:
Wellhead boom truck operators are employed by general contractors and subcontractors in the oil industry 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 $16 to $28 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced wellhead boom truck operators may advance to supervisory positions, or set up their own crane rental businesses.
To work as a Wellhead Boom Truck Operator in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Wellhead boom truck 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 wellhead boom truck 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.
Wellhead boom truck 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 wellhead boom truck operator is 1 year (one 12-month period) including a minimum of 100 hours of on-the-job training and 5 days of technical training.
To learn the skills required of a wellhead boom truck 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.
- select an educational institution that offers training for wellhead boom truck 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)
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.
The Wellhead Boom Truck 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 - Wellhead Boom Truck 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:
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 - Wellhead Boom Truck Operator)
