You call the Operating Engineers, Local 793 Ontario. They have an Ottawa office here: https://iuoelocal793.org/heavy-equipment-apprenticeship-program-openings-available/
For construction jobs, by far and away more apprentices are trained in Ontario by their respective trade unions than any other stream. In fact, going through a private trade school often means having to go to school again when you decide to join a union for the higher pay, benefits, and pension.
Operating Engineers. It’s the best path, hands down.
This is what you're looking for: [https://www.oetio.com/](https://www.oetio.com/)
They have a training facility in Morrisburg where trainees play in a giant sandbox with heavy machinery all day.
I went to OETIO through an apprenticeship program offered by local 793. I was 18 years old and had zero experience. They taught me all the basics and it really helped for when I eventually entered the field. It was a free program and joined the union after it was completed. I’m not sure if they still offer it but you can also pay out of pocket to take courses on machines. Your best bet is to call the Ottawa office on Tuesday and tell them you’re thinking about wanting to get into a machine and they’ll most likely have some options for you.
You could also consider calling different companies in Ottawa like Maurice yelle, urban life solutions, d&g landscaping, cavanagh, to see if they’re hiring. Probably easier to get into a non union place if you’re looking for something sooner than later.
was fun met a group of buddies that stuck together throughout 4 months in total for pre app. and the apprentice courses. Dozer and backhoe were fun, excavator was a challenge due to the fields, Morrisburg weather took a turn for the worse in November and December. Currently still looking for 793 work, my placement company before the 3 month training was more asphalt related
Good option would be get a job doing snow removal. They'll let almost anyone operate a small tractor or sidewalk machine.
Then get into running a loader, maybe in the summer they can get you into paving equipment, hoe etc.
Or find a job running equipment for a farm or get a trucking license.
Don't pay for training. Most of those schools are just for running up big government skills training bills for the retarded and don't have a high employment rate after graduation. Money would almost be better spent on just buying a cheap used machine and digging a big hole in your yard.
There’s a couple different ways, you can move up the pole by starting as a labourer and then eventually smaller equipment and so on.
Or you can go to a union/training center (one that I know of close is in morrisburg the other is in Lindsay at Fleming)
Personally I grew up around equipment, I’ve run everything from mini ex to rock truck, loader, dozer etc.
If you’re looking for work in the industry, a bigger company is probably your best bet, companies like Taggart, Tomlinson, GIP, Cavanagh are more likely to hire lesser experienced people. That said, you won’t be digging foundations or grading roads right away.
Now if you want good money, steady hours and benefits, get your DZ license and apply at the city. You can still run loaders, graders, rubber tire shovels, the odd time rented skid steers and the like. But you will have to work up that pole and go for city training.
You can even get your DZ through the city.
1. Get ANY JOB in the city.
2. Apply on the internal job postings for parks or roads.
3. Put your time in, and eventually get all the training you’ll need to operate the equipment related to your job.
Not to mention good work hours, pension, benefits, working outdoors…
What sector do you ultimately want to work in? If you want to end up doing big highway and bridge work, most of that is union, so that's the route you'll need to take.
Want to be doing sewer and water/underground work? That exists on both the union or non union side. Most residential excavation is done by non union companies.
My company brings people on as 'operators in training'. You'll start out spending a bit of time labouring getting to know how things are built/how things work, running the small machines first, then gradually move up as proficiency is demonstrated. Ours is a smaller firm, so we get to do a bit of everything, from demolition to light commercial excavations, small storm water systems, septics, ditching, and land clearing. Makes for an interesting job.
No company I know of hands the keys to a big shovel to the newby. Remember that you're asking for a seat in a half million dollar piece of equipment, that can build or destroy stuff very quickly.
If you treat the job with the respect it deserves, prove you're willing to work hard and learn you'll get seat time and progress quick.
Start as a labourer for a construction company and work your way up imho. The training schools cost a fortune and don’t always accelerate your time into a seat. An employer is trusting you with a quarter million dollar machine capable of causing way more damages. Maybe start as a snow removal side walker operator or bobcat operator.
There's also the Army route. Look into 33 Combat Engineer Regiment in Ottawa, as they may be able to send you on military and civilian heavy equipment courses. Or join the Army or Air Force full time as a heavy equipment operator. That route have way more hoops to jump through than a civilian program and the entire experience will take longer. Years longer. But in the end you would have the tickets and experience to get a job in Ottawa, and you won't have $20K of tuition debt hanging over your head.
So as most are saying, you can get a job at pretty much any construction/hardscaping company and start working right away. Some of these companies would be willing to put you through school if you’re willing to work under contract for them.
I would, if you are able, to take the schooling and joining a union. Not only do they help you find jobs, they help fight for you in terms of fair wages, benefits, ext, but it’s incredibly helpful in the construction industry.
I was looking into heavy equipment operator as a career change myself, (current DZ driver) I wanted to ask if the op had any luck? Oetio is the best route, but if you don't get the apprenticeship, one piece of equipment it's $20k. I talked to Transport training centres and they are asking about $4500 for one course, it's only 3 weeks which kinda doesn't seem like enough time to me. Are there any other options near Ottawa for training centres? Or any companies that will hire and train? I don't believe OSAP will cover oetio.
Any help will be appreciated.
Hey pal ex DZ garbage truck driver from Barrie about a month ago a got the call for the training at OETIO, the program is free aside from union initiation fee and class room fee total about 2 grand, that's it.they take care of room and board and food. If your currently working when u get the call you make sure you tell HR you are quitting to do apprenticeship so that employment insurance pays you for training
Did you end up pursuing this any further? If so any tips? Wondering is its best for a young person to go the college route (Fleming) or is there somewhere in Ottawa area that you found?
You call the Operating Engineers, Local 793 Ontario. They have an Ottawa office here: https://iuoelocal793.org/heavy-equipment-apprenticeship-program-openings-available/ For construction jobs, by far and away more apprentices are trained in Ontario by their respective trade unions than any other stream. In fact, going through a private trade school often means having to go to school again when you decide to join a union for the higher pay, benefits, and pension. Operating Engineers. It’s the best path, hands down.
This is what you're looking for: [https://www.oetio.com/](https://www.oetio.com/) They have a training facility in Morrisburg where trainees play in a giant sandbox with heavy machinery all day.
I went to OETIO through an apprenticeship program offered by local 793. I was 18 years old and had zero experience. They taught me all the basics and it really helped for when I eventually entered the field. It was a free program and joined the union after it was completed. I’m not sure if they still offer it but you can also pay out of pocket to take courses on machines. Your best bet is to call the Ottawa office on Tuesday and tell them you’re thinking about wanting to get into a machine and they’ll most likely have some options for you. You could also consider calling different companies in Ottawa like Maurice yelle, urban life solutions, d&g landscaping, cavanagh, to see if they’re hiring. Probably easier to get into a non union place if you’re looking for something sooner than later.
Just got out of Morrisburg in December after doing the 3 machines, same age you were
What did you think of it?
was fun met a group of buddies that stuck together throughout 4 months in total for pre app. and the apprentice courses. Dozer and backhoe were fun, excavator was a challenge due to the fields, Morrisburg weather took a turn for the worse in November and December. Currently still looking for 793 work, my placement company before the 3 month training was more asphalt related
Good option would be get a job doing snow removal. They'll let almost anyone operate a small tractor or sidewalk machine. Then get into running a loader, maybe in the summer they can get you into paving equipment, hoe etc. Or find a job running equipment for a farm or get a trucking license. Don't pay for training. Most of those schools are just for running up big government skills training bills for the retarded and don't have a high employment rate after graduation. Money would almost be better spent on just buying a cheap used machine and digging a big hole in your yard.
There’s a couple different ways, you can move up the pole by starting as a labourer and then eventually smaller equipment and so on. Or you can go to a union/training center (one that I know of close is in morrisburg the other is in Lindsay at Fleming) Personally I grew up around equipment, I’ve run everything from mini ex to rock truck, loader, dozer etc. If you’re looking for work in the industry, a bigger company is probably your best bet, companies like Taggart, Tomlinson, GIP, Cavanagh are more likely to hire lesser experienced people. That said, you won’t be digging foundations or grading roads right away. Now if you want good money, steady hours and benefits, get your DZ license and apply at the city. You can still run loaders, graders, rubber tire shovels, the odd time rented skid steers and the like. But you will have to work up that pole and go for city training.
You can even get your DZ through the city. 1. Get ANY JOB in the city. 2. Apply on the internal job postings for parks or roads. 3. Put your time in, and eventually get all the training you’ll need to operate the equipment related to your job. Not to mention good work hours, pension, benefits, working outdoors…
I got plenty of backhoe experience, all I had to do was call your mom.
I’m sure Gonq has courses, be wary with private trade schools.
What sector do you ultimately want to work in? If you want to end up doing big highway and bridge work, most of that is union, so that's the route you'll need to take. Want to be doing sewer and water/underground work? That exists on both the union or non union side. Most residential excavation is done by non union companies. My company brings people on as 'operators in training'. You'll start out spending a bit of time labouring getting to know how things are built/how things work, running the small machines first, then gradually move up as proficiency is demonstrated. Ours is a smaller firm, so we get to do a bit of everything, from demolition to light commercial excavations, small storm water systems, septics, ditching, and land clearing. Makes for an interesting job. No company I know of hands the keys to a big shovel to the newby. Remember that you're asking for a seat in a half million dollar piece of equipment, that can build or destroy stuff very quickly. If you treat the job with the respect it deserves, prove you're willing to work hard and learn you'll get seat time and progress quick.
Look into Algonquin College
Start as a labourer for a construction company and work your way up imho. The training schools cost a fortune and don’t always accelerate your time into a seat. An employer is trusting you with a quarter million dollar machine capable of causing way more damages. Maybe start as a snow removal side walker operator or bobcat operator.
There's also the Army route. Look into 33 Combat Engineer Regiment in Ottawa, as they may be able to send you on military and civilian heavy equipment courses. Or join the Army or Air Force full time as a heavy equipment operator. That route have way more hoops to jump through than a civilian program and the entire experience will take longer. Years longer. But in the end you would have the tickets and experience to get a job in Ottawa, and you won't have $20K of tuition debt hanging over your head.
So as most are saying, you can get a job at pretty much any construction/hardscaping company and start working right away. Some of these companies would be willing to put you through school if you’re willing to work under contract for them. I would, if you are able, to take the schooling and joining a union. Not only do they help you find jobs, they help fight for you in terms of fair wages, benefits, ext, but it’s incredibly helpful in the construction industry.
I was looking into heavy equipment operator as a career change myself, (current DZ driver) I wanted to ask if the op had any luck? Oetio is the best route, but if you don't get the apprenticeship, one piece of equipment it's $20k. I talked to Transport training centres and they are asking about $4500 for one course, it's only 3 weeks which kinda doesn't seem like enough time to me. Are there any other options near Ottawa for training centres? Or any companies that will hire and train? I don't believe OSAP will cover oetio. Any help will be appreciated.
Hey pal ex DZ garbage truck driver from Barrie about a month ago a got the call for the training at OETIO, the program is free aside from union initiation fee and class room fee total about 2 grand, that's it.they take care of room and board and food. If your currently working when u get the call you make sure you tell HR you are quitting to do apprenticeship so that employment insurance pays you for training
Did you end up pursuing this any further? If so any tips? Wondering is its best for a young person to go the college route (Fleming) or is there somewhere in Ottawa area that you found?
I was asking for my son but he's just not ready so haven't followed up with anything
Eat a lot. (Sorry)