Education · 1 of 4

The path

A licensed apprenticeship. In Ontario you cannot operate a crane without it.

1. 1

   High school diploma and a driver's licence

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 with math and physics. Mobile cranes drive on the road, so you will need a DZ (truck and air brake) licence in Ontario or the equivalent elsewhere.

2. 2

   Get on a crew

   Months to a year

   Start as a rigger, oiler or swamper with a crane rental company, a builder or through the union hall. This is where sponsors find you.

3. 3

   Register the apprenticeship

   Days

   In Ontario, with Skilled Trades Ontario under the Hoisting Engineer trade. In Alberta, with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. In BC, through SkilledTradesBC and BC Crane Safety.

4. 4

   Work and study

   1 to 3 years

   Mobile Crane Operator 1 in Ontario is 6,000 hours: 5,520 on the job plus 480 in class. Tower Crane Operator is 3,000 hours and Mobile Crane Operator 2 is 1,000.

5. 5

   Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal

   After your hours

   Pass the provincial exam. Mobile Crane Operator and Tower Crane Operator are both Red Seal trades.