Crane operators use cranes/draglines to lift/place machinery and other large objects at worksites.

Drillers operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines/quarries and during the construction of building foundations.

Blasters place explosives in blast holes and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore, and rock, and to demolish structures.

Water well drillers operate mobile well drilling rigs/equipment to drill residential, commercial, and industrial water wells.

In general, you usually need a high school diploma.

To be a crane operator, you need an apprenticeship of one to three years or crane operation courses.

In some provinces/territories, crane, boom truck, and mobile and tower crane operators require trade certification.

To be a mobile crane operator, you may need a licence to drive on public roads. If you have trade certification, you may also obtain interprovincial (Red Seal) trade certification, which provides job mobility throughout the country.

To be a driller, you may need heavy equipment operator experience and on-the-job training.

To be a blaster, you usually need a blasting licence and may need experience as a blaster helper in surface mining/quarrying. You usually receive on-the-job training.

To gain trade certification as a water well driller, you need a two- to three-year apprenticeship or two to three years' experience with trade courses.

Many recent entrants have a trade/vocational certificate or a community college diploma.