Description
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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Job Titles
- 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
Main 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.
Workplaces
- Construction companies
- Heavy equipment contractors
- Pipeline, logging and cargo handling companies
- Public works departments
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
- Preventative Maintenance
- Quality Control Testing
Abilities
- Depth Perception
- Multi-Limb Coordination
- Multi-Signal Response
- Auditory Attention
- Control of Settings
Personal Attributes
- Adaptability
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Stress Tolerance
- Active Learning
Similar Occupations
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
- Crane operators (72500)
- Underground production and development miners (83100)
- Logging machinery operators (83110)
- Industrial truck operator; Forklift operator (in 75101.02 Material handlers (equipment operators))
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be very good for Heavy equipment operators (73400) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
- Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.
The prospect for employment in this occupation is good due to strong gains in both residential and non-residential investment.
The demand for workers in this occupation is expected to remain favourable driven by continued housing development to support population growth, as well as maintenance, renovation, and repair work. Opportunities are expected to arise as there will be a need to replace workers who retire.
Employers also usually prefer operators with at least three years of experience and with good mechanical abilities. Demand for heavy equipment operators (except crane) is seasonal with job openings more abundant in the summer months. Operators may be able to find year-round opportunities with companies such as those providing waste management, and snow ploughing and large-scale landscaping services.
Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 500 people work in this occupation.
- Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Construction (NAICS 23): 77%
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 6%
- 48% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 52% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- Less than 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 22% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 52% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 18% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 7% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $16.00 | $22.00 | $26.00 |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.89 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.