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Apprenticeship

Industrial Construction Crew Supervisor

Industrial construction crew supervisors co-ordinate and oversee the work of construction crews during the construction, shut down, maintenance and upgrading of industrial facilities such as petrochemical processing plants, pulp and paper plants, power generating plants, pipelines, refineries and oil sands plants.

Also Known As

Construction Co-ordinator

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews

2006 NOC-S

  • H017: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews

2011 NOC

  • 7302: Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

2016 NOC

  • 7302: Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

2021 NOC

  • 72021: Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

2023 OaSIS

  • 72021.00: Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Industrial construction crew supervisors lead, schedule and co-ordinate the activities of crews that install, assemble or maintain components of industrial products and structures. They are front line managers who supervise the safety and productivity of their work crews and work closely with employers, crew members, other contractors and clients.

Crew supervisors may oversee work performed in a wide variety of trades, occupations or crafts. For example, crew members may be boilermakers, carpenters, construction craft labourers, crane and hoisting equipment operators, electricians, equipment operators, field heat treatment technicians, fireproofers, heavy equipment technicians, instrumentation technicians, insulators, ironworkers, millwrights, painter-decorators, plasterers, scaffolders, sheet metal workers, steamfitter-pipefitters or welders.

Duties vary depending on the type of work they supervise but, in general, crew supervisors:

  • Lead the crew and act as the employer’s representative on the job
  • Follow project plans and schedules
  • Plan and co-ordinate activities with other crews on the job site
  • Supervise the crew’s daily and weekly activities
  • Ensure a safe workplace and that crew members observe safety procedures
  • Ensure the crew’s work meets industry standards for quality and crew productivity
  • Prepare reports and documentation as required by the employer

In smaller crews, supervisors may be working foremen who perform some of the same types of work that other crew members perform. General foremen are not required to perform the tasks of the trade, occupation or craft they lead. Both working foremen and general foremen may be required to be present when crews are working.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Industrial construction crew supervisors may work indoors in fabrication shops or outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions, or both. Construction sites may be noisy and dusty. Supervisors may be required to work long hours and do shift work, or travel and live in temporary accommodations.

Working foremen may be required to lift objects that weigh over 25 kg.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews

2006 NOC: 7217

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in supervising the activities of workers who operate cranes and construction, paving, drilling, railway maintenance and other similar heavy equipment; may supervise activities of related workers

innovative

Interest in co-ordinating and scheduling the activities of workers on heavy construction equipment crews; and in resolving problems; may co-ordinate and schedule the activities of apprentices, helpers and labourers

objective

Interest in understanding the functioning of equipment and machinery and procedures used by heavy construction equipment crews

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Industrial construction crew supervisors need:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Organizational skills required to plan and co-ordinate the activities of others
  • Interpersonal skills required to manage and participate effectively in meetings with workers and other personnel on site
  • Computing skills
  • Administrative skills
  • The ability to read technical documents, drawings and specifications and business communications

They should enjoy directing and co-ordinating workers’ activities.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

2016 NOC: 7302

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 226 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 03, 2024 and Oct 05, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Establish methods to meet work schedules
Tasks: Supervise workers and projects
Tasks: Co-ordinate and schedule activities
Tasks: Requisition materials and supplies
Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed
Tasks: Prepare production and other reports
Tasks: Co-ordinate work activities with other project supervisors or managers
Tasks: Train or arrange for training
Organized
Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Designated Occupation

Industrial construction crew supervisor is a designated trade in Alberta. Certification is available from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training but is not required to work in Alberta. In some industrial construction trades, working foremen must be journeymen.

To qualify for journeyperson certification as an industrial construction crew supervisor based on a recognized credential, applicants must:

  • Work a minimum of 24 consecutive months and 1,000 hours as an industrial crew supervisor (within 5 years of the date of application)
  • Complete the Leadership for Safety Excellence (LSE) training program offered by the Alberta Construction Safety Association
  • Complete an approved supervisor or foreman training program offered by an industry association or employer

Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the number of hours required.

Employers generally select crew supervisors from the ranks of the skilled workers they will supervise. Those crew leaders selected need a good working knowledge of the employer’s responsibilities and roles regarding safety, employment practices and emergency procedures. The ability to use computers for entering and retrieving project or crew information is a definite asset.

Student loans, grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available for formal training.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Industrial Construction Crew Supervisor

Industrial construction crew supervisors co-ordinate and oversee the work of construction crews during the construction, shut down, maintenance and upgrading of industrial facilities such as petrochemical processing plants, pulp and paper plants, power generating plants, pipelines, refineries and oil sands plants. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Legislation

In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for industrial construction crew supervisors.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Industrial Construction Crew Supervisor.

Additional Information

Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Industrial construction crew supervisors are employed by contractors in the heavy industrial construction industry and generally selected from among current employees. They may be certified in a designated trade or occupation, or be a practitioner of a skilled construction occupation. Opportunities for further advancement depend on the crew supervisor’s qualifications and performance, and the employer.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
2016 NOC: 7302

81.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
2021 NOC: 72021
Medium
Demand
6,600
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
2016 NOC: 7302
2.2%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
209
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

It is generally accepted in the construction industry that supervisors make up roughly 10% of the total workforce in the Construction industry. Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Industrial construction supervisors wage ranges from $45 to over $60 an hour (2019 estimates) depending on the trade or occupation. As a rule, a crew supervisor earns $5 to $7 an hour more than a fully qualified tradesperson, with general foremen receiving a higher rate than working foremen.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

2016 NOC: 7302
Average Wage
$38.93
Per Hour
Average Salary
$77,355.00
Per Year
Average Hours
39.9
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.3
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 7302 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $18.00 $60.00 $33.12 $30.67
Overall $23.52 $63.86 $38.93 $37.91
Top $29.00 $104.90 $48.48 $45.55

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
27%
27%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
28%
28%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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