Mobile Crane

Operator

Mobile Crane Operators are precise, careful tradespeople who use calculations to safely move and lift the essential items and resources needed to build and repair a wide range of structures.

As a Mobile Crane Operator, you’ll make heavy lifting look easy as you hoist 80 tonnes and more of materials to and from building sites with confidence.  

You’ll work largely at construction sites, railway, shipping yards or resource industry yards, managing everything to do with crane work including planning the lift, setting up the crane, and taking the crane down again when you’re done.  

What You'll Learn

  • How to use rigging hardware and tools in the workplace 
  • How to interpret load charts and drawings 
  • How to assemble, operate, and disassemble a crane 
  • How to conduct a site assessment and safely position a crane 
  • How to operate a mobile crane to lift 80 tonnes and over 

Key Job Skills

  • Workplace safety 
  • Advanced driving 
  • Hand-eye coordination  
  • Radio and hand communication 
  • Critical thinking and time management 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

Technical Training 12 weeks over 3 years
Work-Based Training
4980 HOURS
Salary Range Hourly
$22.10 — $47.00
General Skills
Attentive Calm Confident Coordinated Decisive

Program Updates

 

Practical Assessment Information

To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification

Program Information

AND RESOURCES

Prior to January 1, 2017, there were three Mobile Crane Operator certifications for high-capacity mobile cranes open to registration in BC:                                                                      

  • Mobile Crane Operator - Lattice Boom Friction (BC Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement code 31)

  • Mobile Crane Operator - Lattice Boom Hydraulic (BC Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement code 31)

  • Mobile Crane Operator - Hydraulic Unlimited Tonnage (BC Certificate of Qualification only)

After January 1, 2017, SkilledTradesBC’s Mobile Crane Operator certifications changed to align with CCDA’s Red Seal Harmonization recommendations. The scope of all three occupations were merged into one certification:

  • Mobile Crane Operator (BC Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement code 31)

All SkilledTradesBC certificates continue to be valid. Please see this notification for more information about Changes to SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification programs and occupation titles.

Exam Information

And Resources

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

Updates:

  • None

Information:

Updates:

  • None

Information:

Information:

Updates:

  • March 2024: Program Update (IP Exams aligned to 2021 Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS)). A Comparative Analysis detailing changes between the 2012 NOA and 2021 RSOS can be found here.

Information:

Challenge the

Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.