There is a block 1 apprenticeship/pre-employment crane operators course coming up close to me this spring, tuition is kind of high for a course that is only a few months long ( apr 7 - june 27, 10 000 bucks). I have been considering a career change anyways ( block three heavy equipment/heavy truck mechanic, farmer), so I am wondering if this is something I want to look into? I have considered the career before, even before i knew there was a course so close to me. What kind of wages/working conditions should/could i expect? Anything else I need to consider?

 

dude, just apply at a federal site that has cranes. they teach all of our operators here, paid. experience helps, but not necessary. i am sure during your time as a equipment mechanic, you have had to operate large weight handling equipment, that counts as experience.

 

The only OE's I've dealt with are on shutdowns with us running the overheads. Out here, wages are comparable to my trade, so you'd be looking at $35-40/hr. These guys are mostly inside, although our OE's will run forklifts/zoombooms as well, so occasional outdoor work. When in the plant, conditions will vary from breezy to rediculously hot, depending on time of year and temp outside. But you might be running mobiles, so none of this would apply.

 

Actually , the Co. I work for now, has a crane.

I guess I should also mention that I am in Canada.

 

I ran a crane when I was in the military. Crane on tracks on a floating drydock for submarines. Keith

 

Im a First Year Crane operator apprentice, Im in the Operating Engineers Union and school was cheap for me since the O.E union has a training center.

But I love it, I like it alot better then when I was welding.


Nick.