National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
This broad category comprises middle management occupations in trades, transportation and equipment, as well as occupations such as technical trades and transportation officers and controllers; general trades; mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers; and helpers and labourers and other transport drivers, operators and labourers.
74 - Mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers
This major group comprises mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 4. Occupations classified in TEER 4, as those included in this group with a 4 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of secondary school; or several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education; or experience in a related occupation from TEER 5, when applicable (TEER 5 includes occupations with a 5 as a second digit in their code).
742 - Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related workers
This sub-major group comprises transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related workers, including railway yard and track maintenance workers; water transport deck and engine room crew; air transport ramp attendants; automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers; utility maintenance workers; and public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers.
7420 - Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related maintenance workers
This minor group comprises transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related maintenance workers, including railway yard and track maintenance workers; water transport deck and engine room crew; air transport ramp attendants; automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers; utility maintenance workers; and public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers. They are employed by railway and marine transport companies; the federal government; cable ferry companies, ferry terminals, marine companies and canal, port and harbour authorities; airline and air services companies; automobile and truck service and repair shops; service departments of industrial establishments; and construction, mining and logging companies.
74200 - Railway yard and track maintenance workers
Railway yard workers regulate yard traffic, couple and uncouple trains and perform related yard activities. Railway track maintenance workers operate machines and equipment to lay, maintain and repair railway tracks. They are employed by railway transport companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- ballast regulator operator - railway
- car controller - railway
- control tower operator - railway
- machine operator - railway
- rail saw operator
- railway equipment operator
- railway track patroller
- railway trackman/woman
- section worker - railway
- signal tower operator - railway
- spike machine operator - railway
- switch tender - railway yard
- tie tamper operator - railway
- towerman/woman - railway transport
- yard coupler - railway
- yard worker - railway
Inclusion(s)
- motor vehicle operator - pole yard
Exclusion(s)
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (See 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)
- Railway and motor transport labourers (See 75211 Railway and motor transport labourers)
- Railway conductors and brakemen/women (See 73311 Railway conductors and brakemen/women)
- Supervisors, railway transport operations (See 72023 Supervisors, railway transport operations)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Railway yard workers
- Operate control panel switches from railway yard tower to set traffic signals and to activate train switches that regulate railway traffic in railway yards
- Operate car retarders, turntables and track switches to align locomotives and cars as required for coupling, uncoupling or servicing
- Switch cars according to instructions which indicate the location, disposition and number of cars
- Lubricate moving parts of railway cars and locomotives.
Railway track maintenance workers
- Operate machines and equipment such as sleeper sliders, anchors, rail lifters, drag drills, drag diggers, rail saws and tie-bar cranes to lay, maintain, repair, and align railway tracks, to transfer, spread, level and tamp ballast around ties and rails and to clear snow from tracks
- Clean and make minor repairs to machines and equipment
- Patrol assigned track sections to identify and report damaged or broken track
- Perform other track maintenance duties as directed.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- Experience as a railway labourer is required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Railway yard workers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
Additional information
- Progression to a position such as brakeman is possible with experience.
74201 - Water transport deck and engine room crew
Water transport deck and engine room crew stand watch, operate and maintain deck equipment, perform other deck and bridge duties and assist ship engineer officers to operate, maintain and repair engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships or self-propelled vessels. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments.
Illustrative example(s)
- able seaman/woman (except armed forces)
- boatswain - water transport
- deckhand
- engine room crew member - ship
- helmsman/woman - water transport
- marine engine oiler
- marine engineering mechanic
- ship stoker
- ship tunnel operator
Exclusion(s)
- Deck officers, water transport (See 72602 Deck officers, water transport)
- Engineer officers, water transport (See 72603 Engineer officers, water transport)
- Fishing vessel deckhands (See 84121 Fishing vessel deckhands)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Deck crew - water transport
- Stand watch and steer ship or self-propelled vessel under the direction of the officer on watch
- Operate, maintain and repair deck equipment such as winches, cranes, derricks and hawsers
- Clean, chip and paint deck surfaces
- Handle mooring lines, and splice and repair ropes, wire cables and other cordage
- Load, discharge and secure ship cargo.
Engine room crew - water transport
- Assist ship engineer officers in performing routine maintenance work and repair to ship's engine, machinery and auxiliary equipment
- Monitor engine, machinery and equipment indicators, record variables and report abnormalities to ship engineer officer on watch
- Lubricate moving parts of engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment
- Operate and maintain off-loading liquid pumps and valves
- Maintain engine parts and keep engine room clean.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
Additional information
- Training and testing for various endorsements and certification, including the Marine Emergency Duty (MED) certificate, occur following employment as a deck crew member.
- Senior positions in this unit group, such as able seaman/woman, require experience.
- Progression to deck or ship engineer officer positions is possible with experience, additional training and deck officer certification by Transport Canada.
74202 - Air transport ramp attendants
Air transport ramp attendants operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment, handle cargo and baggage and perform other ground support duties at airports. They are employed by airline and air services companies and the federal government.
Illustrative example(s)
- aircraft groomer
- airport ramp attendant
- cargo attendant - air transport
- ramp agent - air transport
- ramp attendant - air transport
- ramp services supervisor - airport
- station attendant - air transport
Exclusion(s)
- Airline load planner (See 64312 Airline ticket and service agents)
- Material handlers (See 75101 Material handlers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Drive and operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment such as towing tractors, food service trucks, de-icer sprayers and lavatory servicing trucks
- Position passenger loading stairs and operate aircraft cargo doors
- Marshal or tow aircrafts to gate positions for passenger boarding and deplaning and for loading and unloading of cargo
- Sort and load cargo and passenger baggage according to instructions forwarded by load planner to achieve proper balance
- Unload, sort and route cargo and baggage
- Transport freight between aircraft and airport warehouse
- Clean and prepare aircraft interior for passengers and wash aircraft exterior.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Experience operating baggage transporting equipment or warehouse experience may be required.
- A driver's licence and a good driving record are usually required.
Additional information
- There is mobility among jobs in this unit group.
74203 - Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers
Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers install replacement automotive mechanical parts such as mufflers, exhaust pipes, shock absorbers, springs and radiators and perform routine maintenance service such as oil changes, lubrication and tire repairs on automobiles, trucks and heavy equipment. They are employed by automobile and truck service and repair shops, service departments of industrial establishments and construction, mining and logging companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- crane greaser
- heavy equipment servicer (except mechanic)
- muffler installer
- radiator installer - auto repair service
- shock absorber installer
- spring installer
- tire repairer
Exclusion(s)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (See 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers)
- Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades (See 72020 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (See 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Change engine oil and lubricate running gears or moving parts of automobiles, trucks and heavy equipment
- Grease booms, pulleys, buckets and other components of heavy equipment
- Replace oil, air and fuel filters on motor vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment
- Install replacement mufflers, exhaust pipes, shock absorbers or radiators on motor vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment
- Repair and balance tires
- Add or replace hydraulic and transmission fluids in motor vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment
- Assist mechanics and perform other duties as directed
- Drive automobile or service truck to location of construction, logging or other industrial sites to provide services.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school is usually required.
- Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually required.
Additional information
- There is some mobility among installers and servicers in this unit group.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
74204 - Utility maintenance workers
Utility maintenance workers locate, repair, install and perform maintenance work to various equipment and facilities, such as water filtration and distribution plants, waste water treatment plants and power plants. They may also work on exterior and underground gas mains and distribution lines. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and gas distribution companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- gas leak locator
- gas maintenance worker
- gas utility operator
- pipeline maintenance worker
- pipeline patrolman/woman
- power pole inspector
- utility locator
- utility plant maintenance worker
- waterworks maintenance worker
Exclusion(s)
- Gas fitters (See 72302 Gas fitters)
- Localiser - linguistic (See 51114 Translators, terminologists and interpreters)
- Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (See 92011 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities)
- Water and waste treatment plant operators (See 92101 Water and waste treatment plant operators)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Waterworks maintenance workers
- Check, clean and lubricate waterworks equipment, such as pumping equipment, chlorination equipment and compressors
- Adjust and repair waterworks equipment under the direction of qualified tradesperson
- Search and locate reported water leaks and repair water-mains, valves or outlets
- Install water meters using hand and power tools.
Gas maintenance workers
- Check and lubricate gas pipeline valves
- Conduct routine survey of gas mains and distribution lines to detect and locate escaping gas using gas detecting devices
- Investigate reports of gas leaks to determine the exact location and extent of leaks
- Dig ground to expose gas lines and repair damaged pipes
- Keep record of work performed and location and condition of pipelines
- Provide information on underground gas distribution lines and observe excavation work to ensure that underground gas facilities are protected.
Other utility workers
- Operate equipment and instruments to locate and mark underground utility lines and pipes
- Provide information on underground utility lines
- Operate equipment and hand tools to inspect and test utility poles for decay and deterioration.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Several years of experience as a labourer in the same company may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for waterworks maintenance workers.
Additional information
- Mobility between jobs in this unit group normally occurs within the same area of work, such as within waste water treatment plants, within water filtration and distribution plants or within gas distribution plants.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
74205 - Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers operate vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and operate trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This unit group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and private companies involved in the collection of refuse and recyclable materials.
Illustrative example(s)
- garbage truck driver
- municipal maintenance equipment operator
- public works maintenance equipment operator
- salt truck operator
- sand spreader operator
- sewer-flushing truck operator - public works
- snow removal equipment operator - public works
- street flusher operator
- street sweeper operator
- utility arborist
Exclusion(s)
- Heavy equipment operators (See 73400 Heavy equipment operators)
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers (See 85121 Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers)
- Public works and maintenance labourers (See 75212 Public works and maintenance labourers)
- Public works maintenance equipment operators supervisor (See 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)
- Transport truck drivers (See 73300 Transport truck drivers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate garbage trucks to remove garbage and other refuse and dump loads at designated sites
- Operate street cleaning equipment such as street sweepers or other vehicles equipped with rotating brushes to remove sand, litter and trash
- Operate snowplows or trucks fitted with plow blades to remove snow from streets, highways, parking lots and similar areas
- Operate sewer maintenance equipment such as rodders and sewer jet cleaners to maintain and repair sewer systems
- Operate trucks equipped with apparatuses for spreading sand, salt or abrasives on roadways
- Operate chainsaws and other clearing equipment to fell trees and cut back vegetation close to power lines
- Check, lubricate, refuel and clean equipment and report any malfunctions to supervisor.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school may be required.
- Experience as a public works labourer is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- A driver's licence appropriate to a specific type of equipment may be required.
- Trade certification for utility arborists is available, but voluntary, in Ontario and British Columbia.
Additional information
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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