Summary

• The Province is expanding skilled trades certification to tower and mobile crane operators
• Skilled trades certification will improve safety, strengthen training and certification standards, formally recognize skills of crane operators
• Tower and mobile crane operators will have one year to register as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC or take the certification exam and become a journeyperson before requirements take effect July 5, 2027

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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.”

Transition to certification

Beginning Monday, July 6, 2026, 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.

Improving crane safety

The introduction of skilled trades certification for tower and mobile crane operators is part of a broader provincial strategy to strengthen crane safety, standards and accountability throughout British Columbia. The crane industry nominated these two trades for skilled trades certification as part of an application process SkilledTradesBC established in 2023 to determine trades that will benefit from additional certification.

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.

“B.C. is undergoing unprecedented growth, but that growth cannot come at the expense of worker safety,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour. “Through skilled trades certification and our work with partners, we are establishing a higher standard of accountability and safety. We will continue delivering improvements that protect workers and strengthen the construction industry.”

The expansion of skilled trades certification to tower and mobile crane operators is part of the Province’s Look West strategy to strengthen B.C.’s economy and support long-term economic growth and resilience.

Quotes:

Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“Expanding the skilled trades certification to include crane operators reflects government’s recognition of the highly skilled and challenging work they perform every day. This expansion enhances training, certification and safety standards across the industry, creating more well-paying, rewarding careers for workers throughout B.C.”

Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC –

“Crane operators do highly skilled, safety-critical work every day. Expanding skilled trades certification to these trades helps recognize that expertise, strengthen training and certification standards, and support the skilled workforce B.C. needs. SkilledTradesBC will work closely with crane operators, employers, industry partners and training providers to help them understand the new requirements, access supports and move through the certification pathway.”

Ken Schubert, Red Seal mobile crane operator –

“I served my mobile crane apprenticeship from 1999 to 2003. At that time, certification wasn’t required, but I chose the apprenticeship route because I believed proper training was the right path. The theory and classroom instruction that comes with an apprenticeship provides knowledge and skills that simply can’t be learned in the field alone. This is a positive step for an industry that needed change, and one that will strengthen both training and safety for future crane operators.”

Brynn Bourke, executive director, B.C. Building Trades –

“The B.C. Building Trades is pleased to see the expansion of skilled trades certification to tower and mobile crane operators. Our members have been at the forefront of training crane operators and advocating for stronger training standards. This is a critical step in improving crane safety and equipping operators with the skills they need.”

Quick Facts:

• Since re-introducing skilled trades certification in 2022, the Province has implemented regulations for the following seven electrical and mechanical trades:
  • Mechanical: refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, gasfitter A & B, steamfitter/pipefitter, sheet metal worker
  • Electrical: electrician (construction), industrial electrician, powerline technician
• The Province is investing $241 million over three years to strengthen and modernize B.C.’s trades training system, including expanding training capacity, reducing waitlists and increasing access to apprenticeship opportunities.

Learn More:

• To learn more about skilled trades certification, visit: https://skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification
• Learn more about the Ministry of Labour’s Crane Safety table: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026LBR0004-000211
• To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger B.C. and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
• Read about the Look West skilled trades investment: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSFS0052-001123