National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

These occupations include trades supervisors and contractors, construction and mechanical tradespersons, operators of transportation and heavy equipment and trades helpers. These occupations are found in a wide range of industrial sectors, with many in the construction and transportation industries.

This category includes most of the apprenticeable trades, including all those related to the construction industry. Other occupations in this category usually require completion of college or vocational education programs combined with on-the-job training. Helpers obtain training on the job site. Progression to supervisory positions or self-employed contractor status is possible with experience. There is limited mobility or transferability of skills among occupations in this category due to specific apprenticeship, training and licensing requirements for most occupations.

75 - Transport and heavy equipment operation and related maintenance occupations

This major group comprises occupations in transport and heavy equipment operation and related maintenance which usually require completion of secondary school and a licence or certification. It includes motor vehicle and transit drivers, heavy equipment operators, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers.

752 - Heavy equipment operators

This minor group includes heavy equipment operators (except crane) and public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies; municipal, provincial and federal public works departments and private contractors under contract with government public works departments; and private companies involved in the collection of refuse and recyclable materials.

7521 - Heavy equipment operators (except crane)

Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • backhoe operator
  • bulldozer operator
  • excavator operator
  • gradall operator
  • grader operator
  • heavy equipment operator
  • heavy equipment operator apprentice
  • loader operator - construction
  • side boom tractor operator
  • surface mining equipment operator

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • marine railway operator

• Exclusion(s)

  • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (See 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)
  • Crane operators (See 7371 Crane operators)
  • Forklift and industrial truck operators (See 7452 Material handlers)
  • Logging machinery operators (See 8241 Logging machinery operators)
  • Underground production and development miners (See 8231 Underground production and development miners)

• Main duties

  Heavy equipment operators perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, loaders and graders to excavate, move, load and grade earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities
  • Operate bulldozers or other heavy equipment to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites
  • Operate heavy equipment with pile driver head to drive piling into earth to provide support for buildings, bridges or other structures
  • Operate heavy dredging equipment to deepen waterways or reclaim earth fill
  • Operate heavy paving and surfacing equipment to lay, spread or compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction
  • Operate power shovels to excavate rock, ore or other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries or construction pits
  • Operate heavy equipment to move, load and unload cargo
  • Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and clean, lubricate and refill equipment.

• Employment requirements

  • Some secondary school education is required.
  • Completion of a one- to two-year apprenticeship program
    or
    Some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment operating combined with on-the-job training are required.
  • Trade certification for heavy equipment operator (dozer, excavator, tractor-loader-backhoe) is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
  • Internal company certification may be required by some employers.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified heavy equipment operators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

• Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.

7522 - Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

This unit group includes workers who operate vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and operate trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines, workers who inspect the condition of utility poles and workers who locate underground utility lines and pipes. 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
  • power pole inspector
  • 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
  • utility locator

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (See 7521 Heavy equipment operators (except crane))
  • Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers (See 8612 Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers)
  • Public works and maintenance labourers (See 7621 Public works and maintenance labourers)
  • Supervisors of public works maintenance equipment operators (See 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)
  • Transport truck drivers (See 7511 Transport truck drivers)

• Main duties

  Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers perform 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 snowploughs or trucks fitted with plough 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
  • Operate equipment and hand tools to inspect and test utility poles for decay and deterioration
  • Operate equipment and instruments to locate underground utility lines and pipes
  • 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.