Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Wellhead Boom Truck
Crane and hoisting equipment operators service and operate the hoist and swing equipment used to move machinery, materials and other large objects. Crane and hoisting equipment operators-wellhead boom truck operators set-up and operate hydraulic booms used for wellhead pumping, wireline, perforating, coiled tubing, snubbing and the rig-up and rig-out of slant service rig operations. Certification is required when operating:
- booms (including telescoping booms and articulating booms possessing live lines) capable of swinging, hoisting and booming up and down with a lifting capacity of greater than 5 tons (4.5 tonnes) and less than 65 tons (59 tonnes), and
- articulating booms WITHOUT live lines with a lifting capacity of greater than 8 tons (7.3 tonnes) and less than 65 tons (59 tonnes).
Apprenticeship Education Program
Apprenticeship blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning, so you can build skills, knowledge, and a career all at once.
- Certificate of Achievement
- Journeyperson Certificate
- 1 period (level)
- Period 1:
- 100 hours work experience
- 5 days classroom instruction
- Theory exam required
- Each period designed to take ~1 year
- Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
- 5 days in period 1
- Classroom instruction for this apprenticeship program is currently suspended.
- Entrance requirements:
- English 10-2 and Math 10-3
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
- 100 hours in period 1
- Sponsorship agreement required to earn hours.
- Must be completed with a qualified mentor.
- Demonstrate competence in activities outlined in the record book to receive credit.
- Theory exam required to complete period
Trades Qualifier Program
If you have experience in the trade without an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, the Trades Qualifier Program is your pathway to qualify.
- Complete 12 months and 150 hours of verifiable Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Wellhead Boom Truck work experience.
- Pass two theory exams.
- Pass a practical exam ($310.00).
- Candidates must provide their own certified crane for the assessment. Assessors will travel to the Alberta site indicated by the client.
Applicants holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward these requirements (see Related Trade Certificates for the Apprenticeship Education Program above).
- Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
- Pass two theory exams.
- Pass a practical exam ($310.00).
- Candidates must provide their own certified crane for the assessment. Assessors will travel to the Alberta site indicated by the client.
Employment in the Trade
As a designated trade under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, employed individuals or those employing tradespeople must meet certain regulated standards.
- Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
- To perform restricted activities, you must be:
- a registered apprentice or
- a certified journeyperson or
- hold a recognized trade certificate.
- Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (2:1).
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Wellhead Boom Truck journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 70%
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside of Alberta, you are authorized to work in the full scope of the trade in Alberta.