So I am an Immigrant working in Canada, I absolutely love it here, the people, the culture, the crete, pumping in the winter... call me crazy but this is my new home. Now I have a few issues with the Canadian HRSDC(Department of Human Resources and Skills Development). I am working on my Permanent Residency, which correct me if I'm wrong you either go through the skilled trades or Canadian Experience class, which either way.. must be approved through HRSDC as a skilled occupation... Heres the kicker... NOC code 7611 "7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers", "cement pump operator falls into the above category. Link- http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=7611 As you read through it, our occupation is NOT however the described... I believe we have a skilled occupation, don't you??? I contacted them and with some light shed on the subject I feel I can get our occupation recognized, and the two people I talked to agreed its not just an ordinary job. That's what I feel I should fight for. So since it is not classed as a skill trade how that heck do I pursue residency? and if I do fight to get our occupation recognized how much support out there do I have? You need a ticket to run a bobcat, forklift, crane, you name it... why the heck dont you need a ticket to run a pump? I strongly believe you should obtain a mandatory ticket or cert. to run a pump. What do you think???

In Australia you need a high risk ticket , PB (placing boom) is the ticket you have to get but I do find it funny that you dont need a ticket to run a line pump or a high pressue static pump , I belive you can do just as much damage with a line pump or high pressure static as you can with a boom pump , I think you sould have to get a high risk ticket for all aspects of pumping .... Its all dangerous if you dont know what your doing 100%

How can we help you? Let us know I am sure everyone will do what they can but how best can we help?

I would think the ACPA would be able to help.  The way I understand it, they do all the lobbying in the US so they should have a contact in Canada for this issue.

Do you have a Union up there or a qualification program?  That would be a great reference to make your case as well.

The fact that you don't need a licence to pump concrete is most of all because the people that have to decide if we need a licence don't know anything about pumping.. So they have no idea what the risks are. And they are huge if you don't know what you do. I think its at least as dangerous as driving a mobile crane. Maybe they trust on the fact that a pump owner would never let a dumb ass drive is expensive pump.

Maybe the fact that someone hires you as a pump operator and lets you drive his machines should be enough proof that you have a skilled job.

Can't you just knock-up and marry a Canadian chick to get your residence?  The Mexi's do it here, seems to work great for them...

For a reply to everyone... I am in the beginning stages of all this. Before I continued I wanted to know how much support I have on this, bc that support is what will make or break this complaint.

I sent them an email and waiting reply. Depending on how far they are willing to look into it, the fight will begin if they choose to be lazy... worst case ill get the press involved and highlight the safety and all the incidence's, and lives lost around a pump, perhaps highlight these bullshit companies out there I read about on here that like pumping near powerlines.

I will also highlight the use of concrete pumps in the aid of Japan, and Russia. How you can run a 190,000lb truck with no Cert. but yet you cant run a fork lift.

As for help I don't know who to contact nor how to conduct this complaint. Any ideas or contacts welcome. Todd... I need a technical job description of a Concrete Pump Operator. That right now can get me a long way.. i cant seem to find a good one.

Im also thinking about making a video of the life of an operator. From wake up to going home. how shed light on how nice a 9 to 5 job is. Raymond if my divorce was final I would be doing just that hahaha. Thanks for the feedback.

ill get the press involved and highlight the safety and all the incidence's, and lives lost around a pump, perhaps highlight these bullshit companies out there I read about. Pumpsafe, What means do you have for getting that info.? Please enlighten me. I have been trying for quite a while to find what it costs a company or ins. co. after a hose whip incident, or how many happen per year industry wide. Good luck! I'm not tryin to be a smart ass, but its funny I can get stats on auto accidents, and its broke down quite well. (texting, drunk driving, ect.) P.M. me if ya have time. All the best my friend, were here for ya.

@custer. My goal here for this info, is to get Concrete Pump Operators recognized as a skilled trade and not under the "7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers" for people like me to get our residency as a skilled labor. We dont belong in this bracket whatsoever.

According the Occupational matrix "cement pump operators" fall into this bracket because its "on the job training". If that's the case I will work getting the union "operating engineers", and ACPA involved in requiring you to obtain a mandatory Certification to run a pump as would to run a crane, any other heavy equipment, man lifts, fork lifts, you name it.

I believe in order to shine the light on the importance of the above is to shed the light on the countless incidences documented my OH&S and OSHA, as well as ACPA would also be interesting to get these large companies that have an operator labeled a manager with less than a year of pump experience and running the big sticks looked into. Its accidents waiting to happen and im tired of hearing about our brothers being killed and no one seems to be doing anything about it. There needs a be a mandatory certification program. in this day in age we are pushing the limits in boom designs and skills needed for demanding jobs I feel its about time this be done.

http://www.fedbeton.be/files/publication/Betonpompbedienaar_nl.pdf

The one and only oficial document I ever found we have a profesion.It is written in dutch, but it is from a Belgium department so it must also been written in French. Maybe someone can find the French version. We have Belgium members.

even in louisiana we have no acknowledgement by unions as far as payscales and such go, spent a little time trying but got frustrated , the only certifications is by the ACPA which is doing what it can , but we really need more to get this industry safer and more professional, these are very advanced machines with operators needing to be trained in proper operation,safety,maintenance, and as was said before you need a card for a forklift but can operate a 100 ton rig with nothing other than a class b cdl kind of crazy, but until there are more regulations nothing will change. 

Actually according to my in house immigration specialist the NOC code you speak of is not the correct code to apply through. She suggested to use a different NOC code and you should have more success. Contact me and I can help you out.

@ superdoffer the document you showed is a flrmish document en it only exists in flemish because it is from the serv (sociaal economische raad Vlaanderen) (social economic council of flanders) i will search for a document in french on the waloon sites.

http://www.fedbeton.be/files/publication/Betonpompbedienaar_fr.pdf

http://www.snpb.org/

national syndicat of pumping concrete in france

Im seeking help from the union of "operating engineers" where we are recongized. Have an ol timer that was a pump operator with the union  for 9 years.  

http://www.fedbeton.be/files/publication/Betonpompbedienaar_fr.pdf

Thank you mrpumpy. because French is an oficial language in Canada there must be some people that can help you whit this document.

I am on a temporary work permit in Ontario and my code is 7371 under experienced pump and placing boom operator. I plan to start my residence application next month but there is also the provincial nominee class as well.