Flag of Canada
Service Canada Government of Canada
Skip first menuSkip to contentFrançais Contact Us Help Search Canada Site
Home Page FAQ Glossary Who We Are HRSDC
Labour Market Information
NewsFlash
Build Your Occupational Profile
Job Descriptions
Job and Skill Requirements
Employment Prospects
Wages & Salaries
Who Hires
Where to Get Training
Compare Occupations
About the Local Labour Market
Industrial Profiles
Other Resources

Build Your Occupational Profile

 

Search Results:

 Print OptionsPrint Options
NOC code: 7421
Occupation: Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane)
Area: Prince Edward Island
Results Generated on: December 12, 2006
Job Description
Job and Skill Requirements
Employment Prospects
Wages & Salaries
Where to Get Training
Associations and Unions
Other Related Information
Job Description

Nature of Work
Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies.
Top
Example Titles
backhoe operator
bulldozer operator
excavator operator
gradall operator
grader operator
heavy equipment operator
heavy equipment operator apprentice
loader operator - construction
side boom tractor operator
surface mining equipment operator
Top
Main Duties
Heavy equipment operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, loaders and graders to excavate, move, load and grade earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities
- Operate bulldozers or other heavy equipment to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites
- Operate heavy equipment with pile driver head to drive piling into earth to provide support for buildings, bridges or other structures
- Operate heavy dredging equipment to deepen waterways or reclaim earth fill
- Operate heavy paving and surfacing equipment to lay, spread or compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction
- Operate power shovels to excavate rock, ore or other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries or construction pits
- Operate heavy equipment to move, load and unload cargo
- Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and clean, lubricate and refill equipment.
Top
Terms and Conditions - Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island
The following terms and conditions apply to this occupation in P.E.I.:

There is no specific license for heavy equipment operators. However, they must hold either a Class 1A, 2A or 3A license.

Some operators may be required to operate heavy trucks (straight trucks or tractor trailer) to transport heavy equipment from site to site.

Applicants for Class 1,2 and 3 licenses must have a class 5 (standard driver's license), must be 18 years of age and are required to pass a medical exam.

The standard work week on PEI for this occupation is 55 hours with a prevailing range of 40 to 55 per week. The normal hours and conditions of work are day-time hours, Monday to Friday/Saturday and depending on the employer, week-end or evening work may be required on an on-call basis.

Approximately 95 percent of the work is full-time.
Approximately 70 percent of the people employed in this
occupation work less than 49 weeks of the year. The balance work year round.

Approximately 365 people are employed in this occupation in P.E.I. Almost all of those employed are male.
Most of the workers live in the Queens County area.
Approximately 70 percent of the workers are employed in the construction industry, in engineering construction.

The starting wage, for workers with no experience, ranges from a minimum of $8.50 per hour to a maximum of $13.65 per hour and the average wage in this category is $10.48 per hour. For workers with experience, the startinf qwage ranges from a minimum of $9.00 per hour to a maximum of $18.58 per hour and an average of $11.38 per hour.

Date published: 2006-11-21
Top
Additional Information
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Top
Related Occupations
- Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews (7217)
- Crane Operators (7371)
- Forklift and industrial truck operators (in 7452 Material Handlers)
- Logging Machinery Operators (8241)
- Underground Production and Development Miners (8231)
Top
Job and Skill Requirements
Employment Requirements
- Some secondary school education is required.
- Completion of a one- to two-year apprenticeship program
or
Some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment operating combined with on-the-job training are required.
- Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories.
- Internal company certification may be required by some employers.
Top
Local Employment Requirements - Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island
There is no specific license for heavy equipment operators in P.E.I. However, they must hold either a Class 1A, 2A or 3A license. Applicants for Class 1,2 and 3 licenses must have a class 5 (standard driver's license), must be 18 years of age and are required to pass a medical exam.

Those enrolled in heavy equipment training are tested on straight trucks (Class 3A). If they pass, the license deems them certified to operate heavy equipment and special mobile equipment including pay loaders and graders.
Date published: 2004-11-16
Top
Skills Requirements
Most employers who advertise are looking for workers with the following experience and skills:

Experience:
1-5 years

Specific Skills:
Operate heavy equipment, clean and lubricate equipment and refill equipment tanks. Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment.

Additional Skills:
Read and interpret blueprints, maps, drawings and specifications. Complete onboard and other logs. Prepare accident reports. Utilize material safety data sheets (MSDS).
Top
Employment Prospects

Employment Potential: Good

Other Employment Characteristics:
Seasonal
Employment Trends:
In the short term, the employment potential is good for this occupation. Within the next 3 to 6 months there will be employment opportunities for skilled workers in this occupation.

In P.E.I. the long term employment outlook for heavy equipment operators is good especially for fully trained and experienced workers. Some demand is expected to result from turnover and workers leaving the occupation.

A majority of the workers in this occupation is employed within construction industries, consequently potential employment opportunities can be very dependant on construction activity.
Date published: 2005-05-10
Top
Wages & Salaries

Category Average Wage
($ / hr)		 High Wage
($ / hr)		 Low Wage
($ / hr)		 Reference period
General Wage 12.82 18.58 9.00 2003
10.48 13.65 8.50 2003
11.83 18.58 9.00 2003
Where to Get Training

Provincial Training Information
J.V.I. Commercial Driving School: The Heavy Equipment Operation program is related to this occupation. JVI students receive specialized training on Loader, Dozer and Excavator. JVI uses up-to-date equipment giving the student the basic skills necessary to enter the construction industry as a productive employee. Training includes: safety in and around the equipment; safety on and around the construction site; regular maintenance and inspections of your equipment (Pre-op inspections); basic air brake training and maintenance; diesel engine operation and maintenance; hydraulic operation and maintenance; safe and efficient operation of equipment.
Website: www3.pei.sympatico.ca/~jvi.driver/
Date published: 2003-12-17
Top
Associations and Unions

Construction Sector Council
1150-220 Laurier Ave. W.
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5Z9
Phone: 613-569-5552

Mining Industry Human Resources Council
470 Somerset St. W.
Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 5J8
Phone: 613-230-1413

Top
Quick Links
Click on the links on the right to display more information on the same occupation and area. Who Hires

Other Related Information
Provincial
Globe : link to an external Internet site Apprenticeship General Information
  Training for a career though a combination of "school learning" and "on-the-job" experience.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Canada Student Loans Program
  The Canada Student Loans Program allows students to borrow money from the Government of Canada to pursue higher education. The Canada Student Loans Program Web site offers a range of information about topics including: who qualifies for loans; how to apply for a student loan; and how to repay the loan after graduation.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications CanLearn - Program Search
  Get detailed profiles, requirements, and application and admissions information for programs of study at Canadian universities, Canadian community colleges and cégeps.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Database on Minimum Wages
  Current and forthcoming minimum hourly wage Rates for experienced adult workers in Canada.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Financial Assistance
  Provides information on government financial benefit programs.
Job Futures - PEI
  P.E.I. Job Futures is a publication which provides information on the current trends and future outlooks for occupations on Prince Edward Island.
Prince Edward Island 2003 Wage Survey
  The 2003 Wage Survey provides information for 78 occupations found in the PEI labour market.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Training and Learning Websites
  Explore training programs and courses offered by the government, community organizations and private training institutions. Find links to schools, community colleges, universities and other organizations across Canada.
Globe : link to an external Internet site Training Institutions on PEI
  Explore training programs and courses offered by the government, community organizations and private training institutions in PEI.
Globe : link to an external Internet site WorkInfoNet - Learning
  Workinfonet.ca is a national partnership of career planning, learning and employment information web sites in each province and territory.

National
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Canada Student Loans Program
  The Canada Student Loans Program allows students to borrow money from the Government of Canada to pursue higher education. The Canada Student Loans Program Web site offers a range of information about topics including: who qualifies for loans; how to apply for a student loan; and how to repay the loan after graduation.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications CanLearn Interactive - Program Search
  Canada's one-stop resource for information and interactive planning tools that individuals need to explore learning and education opportunities, develop learning strategies and create financial plans.
Globe : link to an external Internet site Careers in Construction - Heavy Equipment Operator
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Essential Skills - Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane)
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Job Bank
  Job Bank is an electronic listing of jobs provided by employers from everywhere across Canada.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Job Futures - Canada
  Job Futures is a career tool to help you plan for your future. It provides useful information about 226 occupational groups and describes the work experiences of recent graduates from 155 programs of study.
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications Labour Program: Minimum Wage Across Canada
Red arrow: link to departmental web-based applications National Occupational Classification- Career Handbook- Trades, Transport, Equipment Operators
  The Career Handbook is intended for career counselling, development and exploration purposes. It includes information on aspects most relevant in the performance of the work such as: aptitudes, interests, physical activity, environmental conditions and education / training indicators.
Red maple leaf: link to another Government of Canada Internet site Training and Careers - Training / Learning
  This link leads to a Government of Canada site which provides training / learning information and resources for individuals, teachers, career practitioners and organizations.
Top

 
Print Options
Print this page only


 
Last modified: 2005-09-22 Important Notices