Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Alert

Government's holiday closure runs from December 24 to January 1, 2025. For emergency supports, please visit alberta.ca or call the Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.

Ramp Agent

Ramp agents work at airports. They operate ramp servicing vehicles and equipment, handle baggage, and perform other duties. They work on the ramp and in cargo warehouses.

Also Known As

Ramp Service Attendant, Station Attendant, Turn Around Crew Agent, Lead Ramp Agent

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

  • 7437: Air Transport Ramp Attendants

2006 NOC-S

  • H737: Air Transport Ramp Attendants

2011 NOC

  • 7534: Air transport ramp attendants

2016 NOC

  • 7534: Air transport ramp attendants

2021 NOC

  • 74202: Air transport ramp attendants

2023 OaSIS

  • 74202.00: Air transport ramp attendants
Duties
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Ramp agents may perform some or all the following duties depending on the airline and size of the airport:

  • Operate towing tractors, food service trucks, de-icer sprayers, lavatory servicing trucks, and other service vehicles and equipment
  • Position passenger loading bridges and operate aircraft doors
  • Tow aircraft to gate positions for loading and unloading
  • Refuel aircraft
  • Connect and operate ground support equipment (such as ground power units and air conditioning units)
  • Load and unload baggage and freight by hand or by operating ramp equipment (such as forklifts, scissor lifts, conveyor belts, and ramp tractors)
  • Sort and route baggage, cargo, and mail, and position cargo in warehouses
  • Load cargo in aircraft compactly and in compliance with weight restrictions (to achieve proper load balance)
  • Clean and stock aircraft cabins
  • De-ice or wash aircraft
  • Load and position meals and related supplies
  • Report loading counts and procedures (to airport ground service support and flight crews)

They must always follow safety precautions around aircraft.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Airlines operate 24 hours a day so ramp agents must work shifts with rotating days off. Most of the work is performed in confined spaces or outdoors in a noisy setting. Ramp agents may work in harsh weather conditions.

Their work is physically demanding. Ramp agents routinely need to kneel, crawl, climb, bend, push, and pull. Heavy lifting (over 35 kg) is required.

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.

Air Transport Ramp Attendants

2006 NOC: 7437

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in comparing information to sort and route cargo and baggage, to clean and prepare aircraft interiors and to wash aircraft exteriors

OBJECTIVE

Interest in driving ramp-servicing vehicles; in operating aircraft cargo doors; in marshalling and towing aircraft to gate positions for passenger boarding and deplaning; and in loading and unloading cargo

innovative

Interest in sorting and loading cargo and baggage to achieve proper balance according to instructions forwarded by load planners

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 24, 2023

Ramp agents need:

  • The ability to lift heavy cargo
  • Speaking and listening skills
  • A safety-conscious attitude
  • The ability to work well under pressure

They should enjoy:

  • Having clear rules and organized methods
  • Driving vehicles and operating equipment
  • Solving problems

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

Air transport ramp attendants

2016 NOC: 7534

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 17 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 05, 2021 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.
Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence
Reliability
Team player
Attention to detail
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Tasks: Drive and operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment
Personal Suitability: Dependability
Personal Suitability: Reliability
Personal Suitability: Team player
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

Ramp agents must qualify for a high level of security clearance, so candidates must have a clear record (no criminal convictions). They must also have a valid driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract. They must be fluent in English. Employers may require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent, or to pass a pre-employment exam. As this occupation has high safety requirements, drug and alcohol testing may be required. For some positions or locations, fluency in French may be an asset.

There may be many applicants for ramp agent positions. When this happens, employers give preference to people with one or more of the following:

  • An advanced driving licence
  • An Airside Vehicle Operations Permit (AVOP) licence
  • Heavy equipment training
  • A dangerous goods handling certificate or related training
  • Airline experience
  • Experience in physically demanding work
  • Experience in warehousing, stockrooms, or shipping and receiving

Ramp agents are trained on the job. Companies may provide a short training program (2 to 6 weeks) before assigning new employees to positions.

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 24, 2023
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Ramp agents work for airlines and airline subcontractors. They may be asked to transfer to other locations in Canada. This depends on company policy. Most entry-level positions are part time.

Ramp agents with the required qualifications may move into positions with greater duties. Or they may transfer to other positions, such as lead ramp agent, passenger agent, cargo agent, baggage or load agent, or administrator.

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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2016 NOC: 7534

88.3% 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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2021 NOC: 74202
Lower
Demand
2,300
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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2016 NOC: 7534
5.1%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
94
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.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Incomes in this occupation vary considerably. No current salary data is available.

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Driver Training
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 24, 2023

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 140 website: www.iam140.ca

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

Updated Mar 24, 2023. 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.

Was this page useful?