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Ramp Service Attendant, Station Attendant, Turn Around Crew Agent, Lead Ramp Agent
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Ramp agents may perform some or all the following duties depending on the airline and size of the airport:
They must always follow safety precautions around aircraft.
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.
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.
Interest in comparing information to sort and route cargo and baggage, to clean and prepare aircraft interiors and to wash aircraft exteriors
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
Interest in sorting and loading cargo and baggage to achieve proper balance according to instructions forwarded by load planners
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
Ramp agents need:
They should enjoy:
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 16 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 05, 2021 and Dec 18, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 8 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Drive and operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment | 8 |
| Attention to detail | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 7 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 7 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 7 |
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 7 |
| Diesel Engine Repair Specialization: Towing tractors | 7 |
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:
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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.
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.
In the 7534: Air transport ramp attendants occupational group, 88.3% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 7534: Air transport ramp attendants occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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.
