Apprenticeship Information
“The quality of our service is defined by the people in our employ”
There are 6 steps to becoming a Journeyman Crane or Pump Operator:
Find a position
The first & most difficult step to becoming an apprentice is finding a
position. You have to market yourself to employers who have a good,
solid reputation for hiring and training apprentices. Amherst has a
pre-apprentice program designed to be an “audition” into the trade - a chance
for us (and you!) to see if this is a good fit. The length of this program varies (on
a case-by-case basis) and could include working in the wash bay, yard labour,
parts pick-up, fuel runs and anything in between. The wages depend on the
company, but are generally lower than the initial apprentice rate. Please note
that it is necessary for you to have a valid A-Z licence for a crane
apprenticeship, a D-Z licence for a concrete pump apprenticeship and a
clean driving abstract before Amherst will grant you an interview. Be sure
to bring a resume detailing your prior experience to the interview.
Register as an apprentice (Get indentured)
Now that you have a position, you need to register with your local
apprenticeship board to become an indentured apprentice. Amherst
will assist you with this process through I.U.O.E. Local 793 & the
OETIO. You will be informed by the union, as to the fees for indentureship.
Begin on the job training
Now you get to work. This is where you begin to get experience
working in your chosen field, working alongside other apprentices and
qualified journeymen. Journeymen are not only there to train you, but
to mentor you and prepare your for the tasks at hand. Journeymen trainers
should have been identified by your company as having superior skills and
knowledge. Use this time wisely to ask questions, and to get as much
experience as you can. While you are receiving this training, you can work on
the next step.
Track your hours & training
While Amherst will track your hours through their payroll, it is required
that you keep track as well. You need a set amount of hours each
year of your apprenticeship, and it is your responsibility to let your
employer know when you are getting close to those hours. Also, be sure to
record what you train on. If you are training on any aspect of the job regarding
equipment, ensure that you are recording the make, model and type of
equipment it is, and have your trainer sign off on it. This should continue
throughout your apprenticeship.
Attend technical training
From time to time throughout your apprenticeship, you will be required
to attend technical training from the OETIO. Your employer is not
obligated to pay you during this time, however there are several grants
and scholarships available to apprentices. Check with your local training
institutes or apprenticeship board for more details. Once all your technical
training is completed and you have achieved enough on-the-job training, you will
be ready for that LAST step toward becoming a journeyman tradesman.
Receive certification
Now you are ready to achieve certification. Your sucessful completion
of schooling and on-the-job training, combined with a written test from
the apprenticeship board, will be your final step. Several trades also
have an option to write a Red Seal Exam, which certifies you to work in your
trade as a journeyman across Canada. Once you receive your final grades and,
if successful, you wil also receive your Red Seal Journeyman ticket.
Once you have obtained Journeyman status in your trade, part of your obligation is to help
train and mentor new apprentices. Just as your Journeyman was there to help and guide
you, you will be expected to do the same for someone new to the trade
MTCU Apprenticeship Offices in Ontario: www.services.findhelp.ca/eo/tcu/appoff
International Union of Operating Engineers Ontario (Local 793): www.iuoe.local793.org
