Cranes extend themselves across construction sites and shipping yards to safely lift extremely heavy objects with precision. Crane operators are highly skilled which makes them in high demand on the construction site, ports, rail yards, mines, and industrial sites.

There are three main types of cranes: overhead, mobile, and fixed. Overhead cranes or bridge cranes run along a horizontal beam to lift objects and them move them horizontally down a track. Very similar to a claw arcade game which drops and picks up a stuffed animal. Mobile cranes are on wheels or a track system to provide mobility across a construction site. Lastly, fixed cranes are secured to a concrete foundation to allow them to lift heavier loads. These cranes are mostly used when you require height and the ability to lift extremely heavy loads.

Employment requirements

In order to become employed as a crane operator in Canada you will need to fulfill the following requirements.

• Successfully complete an apprenticeship program, college program, or private industry training program
• If you would like to specialize in a particular crane type (overhead, mobile, or fixed) a certification may be required in your province.
• If you would like to become certified across all of the Canadian provinces, you will need to receive a red seal endorsement from the Red Seal Interprovincial Standards Program

Main duties:

• Operate overhead, mobile, or fixed cranes to lift and position equipment and materials
• Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance to ensure crane safety
• Calculate load capacity, prepare lift site, and direct workers with rigging requirements
• Operate cranes in a variety of locations such as: boats, raised platforms, unleveled terrain in often harsh weather conditions

Training options

In order to become a crane operator in Canada you will need to complete an apprenticeship, college program, or a private training program in your local province.

Apprenticeship or on the job training

If you are looking for an apprenticeship near you I would recommend contacting crane operators or construction companies in your area for recommendations. They may be currently looking for employees that you could train on the job. Another good place to look would be a local job search for crane operator apprenticeships.

College courses

Alberta

Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator – Boom Truck(Northern Lakes College)

Northern Lakes College
Slave Lake, Alberta

Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Mobile Crane(Keyano College)
Keyano College
Fort McMurray, Alberta

Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator (Boom Truck) Apprenticeship(Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT))
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Edmonton, Alberta

Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator (Mobile Crane) Apprenticeship(Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT))
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Edmonton, Alberta

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mobile Crane Operator(College of the North Atlantic)
College of the North Atlantic
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador

Ontario

Mobile Crane Operator Apprenticeship (Branch I)(Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology)
Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology
Oshawa, Ontario

Saskatchewan

Boom Truck, Crane & Hoist Operator Pre-Employment Program(Parkland Regional College)
Parkland Regional College
Melville, Saskatchewan

Boom Truck, Crane & Hoist Operator Pre-Employment Program – 10 weeks(Great Plains College)
Great Plains College
Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Boom Truck, Crane & Hoist Operator Pre-Employment Program – 12 weeks(Great Plains College)
Great Plains College
Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Private training programs

Crane Training Canada
Provides customized training programs for operators of overhead cranes and hoists. http://www.cranetraining.ca/

RW Consulting and Training Services, LTD
Sparwood, British Columbia
Phone: 250-425-6311
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.truck-shovel.com 

BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS)
If you live in British Columbia, you may want to look into an apprenticeship with the BC Association of Crane Safety. After you become registered with the organization, you are free to submit an apprentice application to one of three local training providers: College of New Caledonia, Eagle West Crane Academy and the IUOE Local 115 Training Association.