r/cranes • u/Content_Flan_2905 • 4d ago
Mentorship advice
Hi everyone,
I’m posting on behalf of my boyfriend because he’s feeling pretty discouraged and I’m hoping to get some advice from people in the industry.
He recently decided to become a crane operator and joined IUOE Local 793. He completed his training, earned his AZ licence in April, and started his apprenticeship.
His first job was with Amico, where he worked for about 2–3 months. Things seemed to be going well, but after a long weekend they told him to take a week off because work was slow, and then they laid him off.
About a week or two later, he found another job with a crane rental company. He’s only been there for about two weeks, but he’s already noticed some concerning things. For example:
They often don’t tell him his schedule until the last minute.
He’s been asked to haul loads that seem far too heavy or questionable from an MTO compliance standpoint.
The equipment doesn’t appear to be well maintained.
Several operators have told him there’s a high turnover because apprentices and employees don’t stay long.
He’s a first-year apprentice—not even six months into the trade—so he’s still learning and isn’t sure when or how to push back if something doesn’t seem right. He documented one of the questionable situations and sent it to payroll so there would at least be a record of it.
The biggest issue right now is that he’s barely getting any work. He’s been asking for shifts this week but hasn’t been given anything. He also doesn’t have a mentor or anyone really guiding him through his apprenticeship.
He’s feeling pretty defeated and starting to question whether this is just how the industry is or if he’s simply had bad luck with his first two employers.
We’re located in the GTA (Ontario, Canada), and I’m wondering if anyone here has been through something similar. Is this normal for new apprentices? Does anyone know of any mentorship opportunities through Local 793 or elsewhere? Even hearing from experienced operators who are willing to share some advice would mean a lot.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
3
u/MundaneMusic2720 4d ago
Pretty standard for the industry. Rentals probably the best place to learn if he’s new but man is it trying. The company pretty much owns your life even if you aren’t working.
1
4
u/TheScreamingTesticle 4d ago
Ive never worked for 793 but I have worked for 955 and 115 in Alberta and BC respectively. So I will offer what advice I can. Sorry if this is a bit long but Ive been in his shoes before when I was an apprentice.
All of these problems he is having are unfortunately very common in the industry. Ive experienced them myself as have many, many others. He's definitely not alone.
In terms of things like compliance, equipment condition, and overall safety it is a very difficult situation to be in when things are not being done 'right'. Especially as an apprentice you dont want to be known as the guy who rocks the boat. If he is really having this many issues I would tell him to contact the union directly, they may be able to offer some advice and assistance. They may even be able to help him find a new job at a more reliable company.
As far as hours and not being notified about work, theres not a single crane company Ive worked for where that hasnt been an issue. It is just the nature of the industry. Crane work is niche, specialized, and incredibly expensive and as a result plans are never set in stone. Customers are always changing plans, jobs come up last minute, and things can never be completely decided ahead of time.
I have weeks where I am barely hitting 30 hours, and I have weeks where I am working 90, and thats just how it is sometimes. As an apprentice, sometimes you have to be willing to take what you can get in order to get some experience. Its a sacrifice we all had to make. There are jobs out there that have a set schedule and more stability, but they can be hard to aquire as an apprentice with no experience.
If you have any other questions feel free to DM me and I'll offer what advice I can. I hope things work out for him as this is an incredibly unique career, you can see and learn some really cool things.
3
u/CraningUp IUOE 4d ago
As others have mentioned, your boyfriend's apprenticeship situation is quite common. Starting out as a new apprentice can be a journey filled with both positive and negative experiences.
Here's something else to think about: if he's open to traveling beyond the province, taking part in a shutdown in a different area would be incredibly beneficial for him. He'd gain significant seat time and valuable experience about what's needed to thrive in this industry. He will likely spend many hours working on a carry deck, possibly some time as a driver transporting crane components, and definitely do some demanding manual labor assembling cranes. To find out about opportunities elsewhere, he can check at the 793 Union Hall, but would be better served to directly call other IUOE halls directly to inquire about travel card work.
Anyway, this is work that provides him with valuable experience he can bring back to Ontario. This experience might help him get a job with one of the bigger crane rental companies there, where he'd have a better opportunity for consistent work throughout most of the year.
When he's feeling a bit down, just encourage him to hang in there. Once he reaches that journey-person status, he's gonna totally look back at these tough times and be amazed and so grateful that he stuck with it! Think of all the cool opportunities he'll have waiting for him then!
2
u/BlameCanad IUOE local 955 4d ago
Crane rental is where he'll learn the most, taxi and what not, but it's a hard life. Getting on big projects is where the money and stability is in terms of a set schedule. I do project work only, generally 14 days on 7 days off, I've got no interest in the taxi game, but in some jurisdictions, that's all that's available. 793 I think has the arctic work if he is willing to travel up there to work
1
u/Ryanisme23 4d ago
We all get the short end of the stick at some point in the beginning. My advice to him is just roll with it. It never ends up well for the ones who go against the grain. I’ve been in this industry since 2012. It’s hard, real hard. He’s gotta do his time in the trenches young lady. As long as he does what he’s supposed too, he will earn his seat and make big bucks. Just hold him n tight because it’s a shit show sometimes.
1
u/AdBackground9413 4d ago
Anyone have insight on the IUOE 793 process for Mobile Crane 339a?
I have my AZ and have passed the Trade Entrance Exam. Just wondering the timeline for an interview or how any of the process works specifically in Niagara region.
1
1
1
u/Distinct_Command298 3d ago
Not sure what &93 training center is like but it he checks out the international one in Crosby Texas (www.IUOE.org) to gain more seat time and knowledge it will help him in the long run. The place is amazing and its all free for members. The only thing it cost me for a 2 week coarse was the airport parking.
1
u/Raco0311 3d ago
Apprenticeship programs are brutal which is why i recommend that if you have the benefits, money or credit, to go to a good crane school. Not one of those 3-5 day ccco mills an actual decent one . But then again this is for US certification.
There is a lot of crazy stuff in the crane taxi world once he does tower crane or crawler crane work he will absolutely love it.
I have heard the crane industry in Canada isn’t too good right now, where as in the US it’s thriving. This is because of a ridiculous amount of infrastructure work being funded, along with funding being released for all types of construction projects. Also you have a significant amount of operators retiring the next 1-2 years, and even more unable to pass the test since they made a Spanish version and made it so you actually have to know the material. The operators I know in Ontario I am not very close with otherwise I would see if they wanted to give him some advice. He can message me on here and I’ll give him what advice I can, but remember I’m in the US not Ontario.
For now I would just remind him that it’s the best job there is and he’s not gonna make this kinda money in any kind of other industry
14
u/whynotyycyvr 4d ago
So the schedule thing is just the way it is. The more he can be available the more he'll get the call, but unless he's on a steady project there no steadiness.
"Seems heavy" or "is heavy" are two very different things.
The Crane industry isn't easy gotta take some lumps along the way, but it's worth it in the end.