Driller, Earth Loop Technician
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:
| Starting | $21.00 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $26.04 |
| Top | $32.30 |
Interest in controlling water well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore and dig for residential, commercial and industrial water wells or environmental assessment; and to install well screens, casings and other well fixtures
Interest in comparing information to perform routine maintenance work on water well drilling rigs and equipment; and in cleaning and disinfecting wells in preparation for use
Interest in speaking to review client needs and proposed locations for water wells
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 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.
In Alberta, the Water Well Driller trade has two branches:
For simplicity, the two branches are referred to as water well driller and earth loop technician in this profile.
To find water that is clean and safe for drinking, water well drillers must know the geological formations of the area in which they are working. They may assist customers in locating a well and estimating the cost.
In general, water well drillers:
Earth loop systems use the relatively constant temperature in the earth to provide heating and cooling for residential homes and commercial buildings. The earth's energy is transported into the building using a fluid that runs through a series of closed loops that can be installed vertically or horizontally into the ground. These are called earth loops. Earth loop technicians bore into the earth and install earth loops.
In general, earth loop technicians:
Water well drillers and earth loop technicians work outdoors and travel to various work sites. The work can be physically demanding and requires the use of personal protective equipment.
They may be required to lift and move equipment that weighs over 20 kilograms. There is some risk of injury involved in working with power equipment.
Water well drillers and earth loop technicians need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy scheduling their own hours and working independently.
To work in Alberta, a water well driller or earth loop technician must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must:
The term of apprenticeship for water well driller or earth loop technician is two years (two 12 month periods), including a minimum of 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of technical training each year. High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for credit or certification.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at Red Deer College.
For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There are two branches of this trade in Alberta: (1) water well driller - water well driller and (2) water well driller - earth loop technician. Water well drillers set up and operate the mobile rotary, boring or cable tool drilling rigs used to drill residential, commercial and industrial water wells. They also conduct environmental assessment drilling. Earth loop technicians use similar types of tools and equipment to prepare sites for closed loop heating and cooling systems. They may also help in the design of earth loops. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and Water Well Driller Trade Regulation, you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice. All Alberta water well drilling companies must comply with the Alberta Environment Water Act and Regulation.
The term of apprenticeship for apprentice water well drillers and earth loop technicians in Alberta is two years (two 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of technical training in each year. Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Water well drillers and earth loop technicians trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
This is an Apprenticeship trade. For full details, see the related certification profile
Most water well drillers and earth loop technicians are self-employed, employed by water well drilling companies or work for earth loop construction companies. Many water well drilling operations are family-run businesses. All Alberta water well drilling companies and earth loop installations must comply with the Alberta Environment and Park's Water Act and Regulation.
Opportunities to advance to supervisory positions are limited in smaller organizations. Alberta certified journeyperson water well drillers who have the supervisory or management skills required by industry may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Water well drillers and earth loop technicians are part of a larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7373: Water Well Drillers. In Alberta, 76% of people employed as water well drillers work in the Construction (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $25 to $35 an hour plus benefits (2015 estimates). Apprentice water well drillers earn at least 60% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year and 85% in the second.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.48 | $30.00 | $21.00 | $16.48 |
| Overall | $20.60 | $36.06 | $26.04 | $20.60 |
| Top | $25.50 | $48.08 | $32.30 | $27.47 |
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* 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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Construction | $53,227 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $52,742 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Alberta Geothermal Energy Association website: www.cangea.ca
Alberta Water Well Drilling Association website: www.awwda.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) website: www.geo-exchange.ca
Geothermal Exchange Organization website: thinkgeoenergy.com
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) website: www.igshpa.okstate.edu
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 17, 2015. 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.