The Province is expanding skilled trades certification to tower and mobile crane operators to ensure consistent training and certification standards, improve crane safety and strengthen B.C.’s skilled trades workforce.

“Today we’re delivering on our commitment to crane operators and worker safety in British Columbia,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “By expanding skilled trades certification to crane operators, we’re formally recognizing the skills these workers already demonstrate every day while strengthening safety and training standards across the industry. This will create clearer pathways to well-paying careers and help build the workforce major projects across our province depend on.”

Beginning Monday, July 6,  people working as tower or mobile crane operators will have one year to register as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC or take the skilled trades certification exam and become a journeyperson before the new requirements take effect on July 5, 2027.

During the transition period, experienced workers can continue working while pursuing skilled trades certification. Provincial and federal supports will be available to help cover certain training costs, including tuition, travel and child care. Workers will have access to SkilledTradesBC apprenticeship advisers to support them in the transition to skilled trades certification, including navigating the registration process, accessing supports or preparing to take the exam.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone for crane operators and for all British Columbians who depend on safe, skilled work on our job sites,” said Bryan Railton, business manager, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115. “Restoring skilled trades certification reinforces the high standards of training, professionalism and safety that our industry demands. I thank the Province of British Columbia and SkilledTradesBC for working with industry and labour to strengthen public safety and recognize the vital role of certified tradespeople in building our province.”

British Columbia has a record 50,000 registered apprentices. With major projects underway and proposed throughout the province, demand for skilled trades workers continues to grow. Certification helps connect workers to stable, well-paying careers while helping employers access a skilled workforce.

Tower and mobile crane operators become the latest trades to require skilled trades certification, joining seven designated electrical and mechanical trades. Skilled trades certification formally recognizes the specialized skills required to operate cranes and supports consistent training standards throughout the industry. Workers will benefit from standardized training, nationally recognized Red Seal credentials, better wages, greater career mobility and clearer pathways to careers in the skilled trades.

The new requirement also responds to recommendations from the Province’s Crane Safety Table, convened by the Minister of Labour with industry, labour and technical experts to co-ordinate and accelerate safety improvements. It complements recent actions to strengthen crane oversight in B.C., including WorkSafeBC’s work with industry partners to improve licensing, permitting and safety practices for crane operations.

SkilledTradesBC has worked closely with the International Union of Operating Engineers local 115, WorkSafeBC and other industry partners to strengthen training pathways and support crane operators pursuing certification.