Apprenticeship

Crane and Hoist Equipment Operator

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You want to be a mobile crane operator. You want to operate hoist and swing equipment used to move machinery, materials, and other large objects. You know all about booms that are mounted on crawlers and wheeled frames, as well as hoisting equipment with a vertical mast or tower and jib.

But you need to learn more, like how to service hoist and swing equipment, or how to set up the machine for the lift using blocking and leveling materials. Maybe you want to know how to rig up the machine by pinning the boom and pendant cables and pulling the hoist cable.

Here are a few of the other subjects covered in the CHEO – Mobile Crane apprenticeship program at NAIT:

  • load chart reading

  • operating procedures

  • safe rigging practices

  • lift planning

  • new technology

  • multi-crane lifts

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyperson Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Spruce Grove

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Spruce Grove Crane and Hoist Campus. View map

Delivery Options:

    Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

    If you are an independent worker and capable decision-maker who likes to work as part of a team, then you will enjoy working as a mobile crane operator.

    Mobile crane operators mostly work outdoors and in noisy, dusty conditions. You will travel throughout Alberta and perform your work in all types of weather. By nature of the work, you must be aware of power line contact, crane overloads, falls and inclement weather conditions.

    Training at NAIT

    The Mobile Crane Operator apprenticeship term is:

    • 3 years (three 12-month periods)
    • minimum of 1500 hours on-the-job training each year
    • 6 weeks of technical training in year 1 and 3

    This program is for training apprentices to use cranes with a lifting capacity of 15 tons and above.

    We have 4 state-of-the-art crane simulators to give students a real experience of the physics of operating a mobile crane while in a safe environment.

    PPE Requirements

    Please ensure you have the following personal protective equipment (PPE) when you arrive for the first day of classes. Find everything you need online at shop.nait.ca.

    • CSA-approved steel-toed boots (min. 6”)
    • clear safety glasses
    • safety gloves
    • hard hat
    • seasonal workwear

    Enter the workforce with confidence

    Boom Truck

    As a boom truck operator, you will often find yourself travelling to various job sites. Boom truck operator work can change with seasonal and economic fluctuations, and many crane operators are members of unions.

    Boom truck operators are employed by general contractors and subcontractors in a variety of industries, including forestry, mining, construction, oil and gas and crane rental companies.

    Journeyperson boom truck operators can also drive wellhead boom trucks and advance to supervisory positions. You could also set up your own crane rental business.

    Boom Truck

    Mobile Crane

    As a mobile crane operator, you will often find yourself travelling to various job sites. Mobile crane operator work can change with seasonal and economic fluctuations, and many crane operators are members of unions.

    Mobile crane operators are employed by general contractors and subcontractors in a variety of industries, including forestry, mining, construction, oil and gas and crane rental companies.

    Journeyperson mobile crane operators can advance to supervisory positions, or you could set up your own crane rental business.

    Mobile Crane

    Resources

    Want to learn more about this program?

    Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

    Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

    • Student application support
    • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
    • Program admissions process
    • Enrolment support
    • Student funding options
    • Fee and refund inquiries
    • General program and course withdrawal procedures
    • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

    Contact Student Service Centre

    Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

    • Program details
    • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
    • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
    • Program and course withdrawal

    Periods

    Tuition & Fees

    The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

    View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

    Please note: Books & Supplies are usually purchased through the NAIT bookstore, separately from paying your tuition.

    Scholarships & Awards

    How to Apply

    Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

    Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

    Dates & Deadlines

    Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

    We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

    Apply to Program

    Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

    Apply nowHow to apply checklist

    Want to learn more about this program?

    Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

    Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

    • Student application support
    • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
    • Program admissions process
    • Enrolment support
    • Student funding options
    • Fee and refund inquiries
    • General program and course withdrawal procedures
    • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

    Contact Student Service Centre

    Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

    • Program details
    • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
    • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
    • Program and course withdrawal



    The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

    Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

    Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

    Apply Now How to Apply

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