What Does a Hoisting Engineer Do?

Hoisting Engineers are involved in the set-up and operation of electric-powered cranes (Tower Crane Operator) or Mobile cranes with booms that are mounted on crawlers and wheels (Mobile Crane Operator).

Job -Related Skills, Interests and Values                                                                                    

  • Reading and interpreting construction plans and blueprints
  • Calculating crane capacity and weights
  • Learning and applying safety regulations
  • Hoisting, raising, moving and positioning objects and loads that weigh in the tons in response to audio or hand signals from crew members
  • Performing difficult maneuvers in tricky situations
  • Keeping calm and cool if things go wrong
  • Communicating well with co-workers to ensure the safety of those on the ground working near your machinery

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

To become a Hoisting Engineer, you need to complete your Grade 12 secondary school education with credits in math and blueprint reading if possible, before entering an apprenticeship of between three to four years. You should possess a class of driver’s license that is higher than that required to operate a passenger car (Class D). You must complete all the required academic courses during your apprenticeship, and pass the Certificate of Qualification Exam.

What’s Your Future as a Hoisting Engineer?

Many Mobile Crane and Tower Crane Operators are members of  a province-wide Ontario based Union of Operating Engineers. Local 793 of the Operating Engineers takes on a number of apprentices for Mobile Crane and Tower Crane Operators every year depending on demand, and actually holds the contract of apprenticeship rather than an employer.  Apprentices who are working under a union contract are generally paid a specific percentage of a Journeyperson's wage rate, and benefit from good insurance, pension and health benefits. For more information about their intake process and training schedule, see their website at www.oetio.com. Employment in this trade can be found with:

  • Commercial Building developers
  • Building Construction firms
  • Large Manufacturing companies
  • Heavy Construction firms

For additional information about this career, check out the construction sector website at: www.CareersInConstruction.ca.

Wage Rate

  • An Apprentice generally begins at a wage rate less than that of a Journeyperson
  • As skills and abilities increase, so do the wages
  • Junior Operators may start at @ $35,000/year and increase with expertise and seniority to a range of $75,000-$90,000/year

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is Working as a Hoisting Engineer for You?

Do you mind working outdoors in all sorts of weather?

Yes      No

Would you check safety features of equipment carefully and reliably?

Yes      No

Can you judge distances and estimate weights?

Yes      No

Can you work independently or as a member of a team?

Yes      No

Can you keep calm and cool in potentially dangerous situations?

Yes      No

Do you mind traveling to out-of-town projects?

Yes      No

Are you good at planning how to accomplish a task from start to finish?

Yes      No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, a career as a Hoisting Engineer may be for You!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Heavy Equipment Operator (backhoe, bulldozer, excavator)
  • Power Lineworker