Transcript: Crane Operator
A child says, WEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah carries a bag of soil. Brody follows her, carrying two wooden planks.
Akeylah says, MAKING THIS ROOFTOP GARDEN IS GONNA REQUIRE A LOT OF SOIL.
Brody says, YEAH, JUST THINKING ABOUT CARRYING ALL THIS WOOD UP THERE IS MAKING ME WILT.
Akeylah says, I WISH THERE WAS A SKILLED TRADE THAT COULD SAVE US FROM HAVING TO HAUL ALL THIS OURSELVES.
Anna says, THERE IS!
Anna looks down at Brody and Akeylah from the second floor.
Akeylah and Brody ask, THERE IS?
Anna says, YEAH, CRANE OPERATORS. THEY DO A LOT OF HEAVY LIFTING ON JOB SITES. THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE MOVEMENT OF LARGE AND HEAVY LOADS OF MATERIALS USING ALL KINDS OF CRANES. MY FRIEND DAVID'S A CRANE OPERATOR. DO YOU WANT TO MEET HIM?
In a video clip, a crane operator, David Viggiani, crosses his arms and smiles. He has short brown hair, a beard, and a moustache.
Brody says, DEFINITELY! THANKS FOR THE HOOKUP. AKEYLAH, TAKE A LOAD OFF. I'M GONNA GO VISIT THIS CRANE OPERATOR.
Brody gives Akeylah the planks and walks away.
Akeylah says, OH, OKAY, BYE!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody approaches a large, two-storey building with cranes in a fenced yard.
Brody narrates, I HEADED TO THE OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING INSTITUTE IN OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, TO GET THE SCOOP ON CRANE OPERATORS.
Brody says, HEY DAVID!
[Thunking]
David puts a piece of wood on a flatbed trailer.
David says, HEY BRODY! WELCOME TO THE TRAINING CENTRE.
Brody says, THANKS! SO, I'M WONDERING IF A CRANE CAN HELP US WITH THE HEAVY LIFTING PROJECT WE HAVE BACK AT THE SKILL SPACE. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT IT IS CRANE OPERATORS DO EXACTLY?
David says, ABSOLUTELY. CRANE OPERATORS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF A JOB SITE. NOT ONLY DO WE LIFT HEAVY LOADS AND MOVE MATERIAL ALL OVER THE JOB SITE SO PEOPLE CAN WORK. WE PLACE FORMS, WE SET CONCRETE, WE PUT UP STEEL. IT'S LIKE A GIANT HELPING HAND TO THE JOB SITE.
Brody says, WHOA, THAT'S HUGE! I CAN'T WAIT TO ELEVATE!
David says, GREAT, LET'S GET YOU GEARED UP.
Brody says, ALRIGHT!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the fenced yard, Brody and David approach the cranes. Both wear hard hats, safety glasses, and bright safety vests.
Brody says, WHOA, THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF CRANES.
David says, SO, BRODY, THIS IS OUR YARD. THIS IS WHERE OUR STUDENTS COME TO DO THEIR PRACTICAL TRAINING.
Brody asks, SO, YOU'VE OPERATED ALL OF THESE CRANES?
David says, YEAH, THESE TOWER CRANES. I WAS A TOWER CRANE OPERATOR FOR 23 YEARS. WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK?
Brody says, YEAH.
David says, LET'S GO. OK, BRODY, THIS IS OUR HAMMERHEAD TOWER CRANE. SO, IT'S SITTING ON A FOUNDATION, THAT CONCRETE PAD. THE LONG SKINNY PART, THAT'S THE TOWER. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE TOWER GOES UP. WHERE THE CAB IS, THAT'S CALLED AN APEX. THAT LONG PART THERE, THAT'S CALLED A JIB. AND ON THE JIB, YOU HAVE A TROLLEY.
Brody asks, WHAT DOES A TROLLEY DO?
David replies, A TROLLEY ALLOWS THE HOOK TO GO IN AND OUTWARDS.
The hook slides along the trolley.
David says, OKAY, SEE WHAT THE STUDENT'S DOING RIGHT NOW. IT HAS THE BUCKET ALL RIGGED UP. WANT TO DO SOME RIGGING?
Brody says, YEAH
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
David says, OKAY, BRODY BEFORE WE START HOISTING A NEW LOAD, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME RIGGING.
David and Brody enter a garage and walk to a display.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT, SHOW ME THE ROPES OR WIRES.
David says, SO, CRANES PICK UP HEAVY LOADS. SO, THE WIRE ROPE THAT WE USE NEED TO BE REALLY STRONG AND BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND ALL THE LOAD THAT IS BEING APPLIED TO IT. OVER HERE, WE GOT SLINGS. THESE ARE MEANT TO USE ON DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS FOR LIFTING LOADS UP. SO HERE WE HAVE A TAPERED STANDARD EYE SLING, A TWISTED EYE SLING AND A GROMMET ENDLESS SLING. LET'S DO SOME RIGGING, AND FOR THAT, WE'RE GONNA USE A TWISTED EYE SLING.
David says, LET'S TWIST.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody twists.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the yard, David says, OKAY, BRODY, NOW THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE RIGGING, LET'S GRAB THESE SYNTHETIC STRAPS. WE'RE GONNA STRAP UP THIS BASKET, AND WE'RE GONNA ATTACH IT TO THIS LIFTING TOWER CRANE. CAN YOU GRAB THAT END UNDERNEATH PLEASE?
Brody picks up one end of the long strap.
David says, THERE YOU GO. PUSH IT THROUGH. ALL RIGHT BRING IT UP OVER HERE. ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA DO THE SAME FOR THIS ONE.
They slide a second strap beneath the metal basket and wrap it over the top.
Brody says, I HOPE THESE ARE STRONG.
David says, OH, SURE THEY ARE. THESE ARE TWO-INCH STRAPS. THESE ARE GOOD FOR 49 HUNDRED POUNDS IN A CHOKER.
Brody asks, A CHOKER?
David explains, IT'S THE WAY IT'S POSITIONED AROUND THE LOAD. IT CHOKES THE LOAD, WHICH MEANS WHEN IT GETS TIGHT, IT TIGHTENS THE LOAD. OKAY, GREAT. NOW WE GOT IT STRAPPED UP; NOW WE'RE GONNA CALL THE CRANE POSITION THEM ON TOP OF THE LOAD.
David pushes a button on a walkie-talkie attached to his vest.
David says, OKAY, YOU CAN COME OVER HERE NOW. THERE YOU GO. SWINGING AND SLOWING DOWN THE HOIST BUT KEEP ON THE SWING, OKAY? HEIGHT IS GOOD JUST COME IN ON THE SWING, OKAY?
The hook lowers to the basket.
Brody says, THAT GUY'S GOOD.
David says, OKAY, BRODY, YOU CAN HOOK IT UP FOR ME.
Brody puts the two looped strap ends on the crane hook. He and David pull on them.
Brody says, ALRIGHT. LIKE THAT. LIKE THAT. SOUNDS SECURE.
David says, WE'RE READY TO GO.
David says, into his walkie-talkie, YOU CAN START HOISTING UP NOW SLOWLY.
[Beeping]
Over the walkie-talkie, the crane operator says, ROGER THAT.
The crane lifts the basket.
Brody says, UP SHE GOES. WHOA, CRANE OPERATING LOOKS LIKE FUN. CAN I GIVE IT A TRY? NOT JUST YET, BUDDY. BUT I GOT SOMETHING YOU COULD TRY INSIDE FIRST.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody enters a room with chairs positioned in front of large screens.
Brody says, WHOA, I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ARCADE IN HERE.
David says, NOT QUITE VIDEO GAMES. THESE ARE STATE-OF-THE-ART CRANE SIMULATORS.
Brody says, WHOA.
David says, THIS IS WHAT WE USE TO HELP TRAIN OUR STUDENTS TO GIVE THEM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY LIKE IN THE CRANE. DO YOU WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?
Brody says, IT WOULD BRING ME MUCH JOY... STICK.
[Brody chuckling]
David says, SO, THIS JOYSTICK HERE. YOU PULL IT TOWARDS YOURSELF, AND THAT LIFTS UP YOUR HOIST. PULL IT AWAY FROM YOURSELF. IT LOWERS THE HOIST. YOUR LEFT-HAND JOYSTICK, IF YOU MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT, IT WILL ALLOW THE CRANE TO SWING TO THE RIGHT.
Brody moves the joysticks and moves the load on the screen.
David says, MOVE IT TO THE LEFT; IT WILL SWING THE CRANE TO THE LEFT. NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO PICK THAT BLOCK UP AND PUT IT IN THE BLUE SHADOW. RIGHT THERE. HIT IT. HOOKING IN PROGRESS. THERE YOU GO. GOOD JOB.
Brody says, I'M TRYING TO GET A HIGH SCORE HERE.
On the screen, Brody moves boxes onto a flatbed trailer.
David says, THERE YOU GO. A LITTLE MORE. YOU'RE ALMOST THERE. YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! GREAT JOB.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
David asks, YOU READY FOR THE REAL THING?
Brody says, SAYONARA SIMULATOR.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the yard, David says, OKAY, BRODY, NOW THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE CRANE, LET ME SHOW YOU OUR MINI CRAWLER.
Brody says, WHOA.
David says, LET'S GET ON IN.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT.
Brody climbs into the cab of the mini crawler crane.
David says, SO, THESE CONTROLS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW IN THE SIMULATOR. SO HERE YOU HAVE YOUR SWING RIGHT AND LEFT. THAT CONTROL THERE IS YOUR HOIST DOWN AND UP AND ALSO YOUR BOOM UP AND DOWN. OKAY, BRODY FOR OUR EXERCISE, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WE'RE GONNA GRAB THAT CONCRETE BLOCK. I'M GONNA HOOK IT UP. WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO, WE'RE GONNA HOIST IT UP OFF THE GROUND A COUPLE OF FEET AND VERY SMOOTHLY PLACE IT ON TOP OF THE TIRE. SO, FIRST THINGS FIRST SHOW ME WHAT THE HOIST DOES.
Brody moves the hoist up.
Brody says, HOIST IS UP.
David says, GREAT JOB. HOIST DOWN FOR ME.
Brody moves the hoist down.
David says, PERFECT CAN YOU SWING TO THE RIGHT?
Brody says, RIGHT IS THIS.
[Whirring]
The hoist swings to the right.
David says, THERE YOU GO AND SWING TO THE LEFT. EXCELLENT, I THINK YOU'RE READY TO GO.
[Clinking]
David attaches a cable to the hook. On the other end is a 250-kilogram weight.
David says, WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO NOW YOU'RE GONNA HOIST UP NICE AND SLOWLY. LOOKING GOOD JUST LIKE THAT.
[Whirring]
The mini crawler lifts the weight.
David says, YOU'RE GONNA START TAKING WEIGHT RIGHT ABOUT NOW KEEP GOING JUST LIKE THAT. PERFECT. TIGHT IS GOOD. NOW VERY SLOWLY SWING IT TO THE RIGHT. LOOKING GOOD. NOW YOU CAN START COMING DOWN WHEN YOU'RE READY. BEAUTIFUL.
Brody lowers the weight onto the tire.
David says, YOU DID IT BRODY, GOOD JOB!
Brody says, YEAH!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Background engines humming, soft music plays]
In a garage, Brody stands on a forklift, and David leans against it.
Brody narrates, WE TOOK A BREAK FROM OUR HEAVY LIFTING SO I COULD HEAR DAVE'S UPLIFTING STORY.
Brody asks, WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A CRANE OPERATOR?
David says, I WAS AROUND 21 YEARS OLD WHEN I GOT INTO IT. I WENT TO SCHOOL FIRST. I DID A THREE-YEAR COLLEGE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS. I WASN'T SURE WHAT I WANTED TO DO. THEN I STARTED NOTICING ALL THESE TOWER CRANES POPPING UP ALL OVER THE CITY. I THOUGHT THEY WERE SO COOL THAT THEY WERE BUILDING THESE HIGH BUILDINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE. SO, I DID A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH. I FOUND OUT AN INSTITUTION CALLED O.E.T.I.O., OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING INSTITUTE, OUT OF MORRISBURG. AND I FOUND OUT THEY DO APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING THERE. IT WAS FORTUNATE I WAS SELECTED AND WENT OUT TO MORRISBURG FOR SIX WEEKS.
Brody asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A CRANE OPERATOR?
David replies, OH, ALMOST EVERYTHING. TO HAVE THAT MUCH POWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. TO PICK UP SOMETHING EFFORTLESSLY AND PLACE IT SOMEWHERE. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, WHEN YOU LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND, THAT IS REMARKABLE. THAT'S THE BEST FEELING.
Brody asks, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN CRANE OPERATING?
David replies, SO, IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU THINK YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING WHEN YOU'RE OLDER, LOOK UP OETIO.COM AND SEE WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE. WE OFFER TRAINING FOR CRANE OPERATING, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY. BUT YOU JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT SCARED OF HEIGHTS THOUGH.
Brody says, ALRIGHT, THAT'S SOMETHING TO CHECK OFF.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the mini crawler, Brody says, WHILE I CONTINUE TO CRANE OP, LET'S PICK UP A FEW FACTS ON THE HOISTORY OF THE MIGHTY CRANE.
[Whirring, gentle music plays]
Brody drives the crane forward. In a video clip, Akeylah holds a forked and straight stick.
Brody narrates, THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF CRANE-LIKE INNOVATIONS APPEARED IN MESOPOTAMIA, AROUND 3000 B.C. USING A LONG COUNTERBALANCE POLE ON A PIVOT POINT, THEY WERE ABLE TO LIFT AND MOVE HEAVY BUCKETS OF WATER FOR THEIR CROPS. THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS CONSTRUCTED THEIR LARGE MONUMENTS, CATHEDRALS AND BUILDINGS USING CRANES WHICH WERE POWERED BY ANIMALS OR HUMANS.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video, Akeylah wears a hat and a moustache. She stands in a factory and holds a teddy bear. She throws the teddy bear to the side and picks up metal bars.
Brody narrates, DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, STEAM ENGINES REPLACED THE NEED FOR HUMANS OR ANIMALS TO POWER THE CRANES. AND WOODEN CRANES WERE REPLACED BY STRONGER IRON AND STEEL ONES.
In a video, Akeylah holds a walkie-talkie. Cranes fill the skyline behind her.
Brody narrates, TODAY'S CRANES ARE POWERED THROUGH EITHER GAS OR ELECTRIC MOTORS OR HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS. WHICH CAN LIFT MUCH HEAVIER LOADS. CRANES OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND SIZES AND THEIR OPERATORS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND THROUGHOUT ONTARIO'S MANY CONSTRUCTION SITES.
[Whirring, upbeat music plays]
In the yard, Brody sits on a seat on a blue crane.
David says, OKAY BRODY, ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE?
Brody says, YEP.
David says, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN THIS SPIDER CRANE.
Brody asks, WHY IS IT CALLED A SPIDER CRANE?
David replies, OH, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE. SO, TO DRIVE THIS CRANE, THIS LEVER CONTROLS THE RIGHT TRACK, THAT LEVER CONTROLS THE LEFT TRACK. SO, TO MOVE FORWARD YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY FORWARD.
[Clicking]
Brody pushes the levers forward.
Brody asks, LIKE THAT?
David says, JUST LIKE THAT. ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE UP THAT WAY.
[Engine humming, upbeat music continues]
Brody smiles and drives the crane forward.
Brody says, WHOA! THIS IS THE BEST.
David says, ALRIGHT, LET'S STOP HERE. NOW I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHY IT'S CALLED A SPIDER CRANE. FIRST THING WE GOT TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO SET OUT THE OUTRIGGERS.
Brody gets out of the crane and stands beside David.
Brody asks, WHAT'S AN OUTRIGGER?
David says, THE OUTRIGGER IS WHAT, EXTEND OUT AND GIVE THE CRANE STABILITY WHEN IT'S SET UP. FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS PULL OUT THESE PINS.
[Rattling]
David pulls thick pins out of the side of the crane.
David says, SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS WE'RE EXTENDING THE OUTRIGGERS.
[Upbeat music continues]
Four outriggers move to the ground around the crane.
Brody says, YEAH, NOW I SEE WHY IT'S CALLED A SPIDER.
David says, OKAY BRODY, SO NOW THAT WE'RE SETTING ON OUTRIGGERS, LET'S START SCOPING HER OUT.
[Whirring]
David sits in the seat and operates the spider crane.
Brody says, ALRIGHT, LET'S SCOPE OUT.
[Whirring]
David extends the crane higher.
Brody says, WHOA, IT'S GETTING SO LONG. THAT'S SOME SCOPING.
David says, OKAY, BRODY. NOW THAT WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING SET UP, IT'S YOUR TURN. ARE YOU READY TO GO?
Brody says, YEAH.
David says, LET'S DO IT.
David gets up, and Brody excitedly climbs into the seat.
David says, WE'RE GONNA DO THE SAME EXERCISE WE DID WITH THE MINI CRAWLER. YOU'RE GONNA PICK UP THE CONCRETE BLOCK, PICK IT UP A COUPLE OF FEET, SWING IT TO THE RIGHT, PUT IT ON TOP OF THE TIRE.
Brody says, GOT IT. OKAY, SO...THIS IS...
Brody slowly moves a lever.
David says, THAT'S YOUR HOIST. UP, DOWN. AND THAT ONE THERE IS YOUR LEFT AND YOUR RIGHT.
[Clinking]
David attaches the weight to the hook.
David says, OKAY, BRODY, IT'S LIFTING TIME.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT. UP WE GO.
[Whirring]
The crane lifts the weight.
David says, THERE IT GOES, TAKING OFF THE GROUND NOW. SWING IT RIGHT.
Brody pulls a lever.
Brody says, LIKE THIS.
David says, OKAY. GO A LITTLE MORE. OKAY, WE CAN START BRINGING IT DOWN ON THE HOIST. THERE YOU GO, KEEP GOING. YOU GOT IT.
[Whirring]
Brody lowers the weight onto the tire.
Brody says, AND...
David says, NOW. PERFECT!
Brody says, EASY PEASY!
David says, GOOD JOB!
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody walk down the stairs to their work table.
Akeylah says, I GOTTA SAY, IT'S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD UP THERE.
Brody says, YEP. ALL THE GARDEN BOXES ARE BUILT AND FILLED IN.
Akeylah says, AND THANKS TO THE CRANE, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO CARRY ALL THOSE HEAVY MATERIALS UP TO THE ROOF.
Brody says, NO SIRREE. WE TURNED TO THE CRANE AND AVOIDED THE PAIN. MAYBE BEING A CRANE OPERATOR IS THE RIGHT JIB FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, BUT IF THAT DOESN'T HAVE YOU HOOKED, THERE ARE TONNES OF OTHER SKILLED TRADES THAT COULD LIFT YOU UP AND TAKE YOU TO THE TOP.
Both say, BYE!
Brody says, HEY, WHILE WE STILL HAVE THAT CRANE. YOU WANT TO GET A GIANT GARDEN GNOME?
Akeylah says, YES!
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Brody Agmon, Akeylah James. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: Dave Viggiani. Written and directed by Maria Bui. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to O.E.T.I.O. (Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario), Mike and Ann McKenna. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah carries a bag of soil. Brody follows her, carrying two wooden planks.
Akeylah says, MAKING THIS ROOFTOP GARDEN IS GONNA REQUIRE A LOT OF SOIL.
Brody says, YEAH, JUST THINKING ABOUT CARRYING ALL THIS WOOD UP THERE IS MAKING ME WILT.
Akeylah says, I WISH THERE WAS A SKILLED TRADE THAT COULD SAVE US FROM HAVING TO HAUL ALL THIS OURSELVES.
Anna says, THERE IS!
Anna looks down at Brody and Akeylah from the second floor.
Akeylah and Brody ask, THERE IS?
Anna says, YEAH, CRANE OPERATORS. THEY DO A LOT OF HEAVY LIFTING ON JOB SITES. THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE MOVEMENT OF LARGE AND HEAVY LOADS OF MATERIALS USING ALL KINDS OF CRANES. MY FRIEND DAVID'S A CRANE OPERATOR. DO YOU WANT TO MEET HIM?
In a video clip, a crane operator, David Viggiani, crosses his arms and smiles. He has short brown hair, a beard, and a moustache.
Brody says, DEFINITELY! THANKS FOR THE HOOKUP. AKEYLAH, TAKE A LOAD OFF. I'M GONNA GO VISIT THIS CRANE OPERATOR.
Brody gives Akeylah the planks and walks away.
Akeylah says, OH, OKAY, BYE!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody approaches a large, two-storey building with cranes in a fenced yard.
Brody narrates, I HEADED TO THE OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING INSTITUTE IN OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, TO GET THE SCOOP ON CRANE OPERATORS.
Brody says, HEY DAVID!
[Thunking]
David puts a piece of wood on a flatbed trailer.
David says, HEY BRODY! WELCOME TO THE TRAINING CENTRE.
Brody says, THANKS! SO, I'M WONDERING IF A CRANE CAN HELP US WITH THE HEAVY LIFTING PROJECT WE HAVE BACK AT THE SKILL SPACE. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT IT IS CRANE OPERATORS DO EXACTLY?
David says, ABSOLUTELY. CRANE OPERATORS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF A JOB SITE. NOT ONLY DO WE LIFT HEAVY LOADS AND MOVE MATERIAL ALL OVER THE JOB SITE SO PEOPLE CAN WORK. WE PLACE FORMS, WE SET CONCRETE, WE PUT UP STEEL. IT'S LIKE A GIANT HELPING HAND TO THE JOB SITE.
Brody says, WHOA, THAT'S HUGE! I CAN'T WAIT TO ELEVATE!
David says, GREAT, LET'S GET YOU GEARED UP.
Brody says, ALRIGHT!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the fenced yard, Brody and David approach the cranes. Both wear hard hats, safety glasses, and bright safety vests.
Brody says, WHOA, THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF CRANES.
David says, SO, BRODY, THIS IS OUR YARD. THIS IS WHERE OUR STUDENTS COME TO DO THEIR PRACTICAL TRAINING.
Brody asks, SO, YOU'VE OPERATED ALL OF THESE CRANES?
David says, YEAH, THESE TOWER CRANES. I WAS A TOWER CRANE OPERATOR FOR 23 YEARS. WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK?
Brody says, YEAH.
David says, LET'S GO. OK, BRODY, THIS IS OUR HAMMERHEAD TOWER CRANE. SO, IT'S SITTING ON A FOUNDATION, THAT CONCRETE PAD. THE LONG SKINNY PART, THAT'S THE TOWER. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE TOWER GOES UP. WHERE THE CAB IS, THAT'S CALLED AN APEX. THAT LONG PART THERE, THAT'S CALLED A JIB. AND ON THE JIB, YOU HAVE A TROLLEY.
Brody asks, WHAT DOES A TROLLEY DO?
David replies, A TROLLEY ALLOWS THE HOOK TO GO IN AND OUTWARDS.
The hook slides along the trolley.
David says, OKAY, SEE WHAT THE STUDENT'S DOING RIGHT NOW. IT HAS THE BUCKET ALL RIGGED UP. WANT TO DO SOME RIGGING?
Brody says, YEAH
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
David says, OKAY, BRODY BEFORE WE START HOISTING A NEW LOAD, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME RIGGING.
David and Brody enter a garage and walk to a display.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT, SHOW ME THE ROPES OR WIRES.
David says, SO, CRANES PICK UP HEAVY LOADS. SO, THE WIRE ROPE THAT WE USE NEED TO BE REALLY STRONG AND BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND ALL THE LOAD THAT IS BEING APPLIED TO IT. OVER HERE, WE GOT SLINGS. THESE ARE MEANT TO USE ON DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS FOR LIFTING LOADS UP. SO HERE WE HAVE A TAPERED STANDARD EYE SLING, A TWISTED EYE SLING AND A GROMMET ENDLESS SLING. LET'S DO SOME RIGGING, AND FOR THAT, WE'RE GONNA USE A TWISTED EYE SLING.
David says, LET'S TWIST.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody twists.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the yard, David says, OKAY, BRODY, NOW THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE RIGGING, LET'S GRAB THESE SYNTHETIC STRAPS. WE'RE GONNA STRAP UP THIS BASKET, AND WE'RE GONNA ATTACH IT TO THIS LIFTING TOWER CRANE. CAN YOU GRAB THAT END UNDERNEATH PLEASE?
Brody picks up one end of the long strap.
David says, THERE YOU GO. PUSH IT THROUGH. ALL RIGHT BRING IT UP OVER HERE. ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA DO THE SAME FOR THIS ONE.
They slide a second strap beneath the metal basket and wrap it over the top.
Brody says, I HOPE THESE ARE STRONG.
David says, OH, SURE THEY ARE. THESE ARE TWO-INCH STRAPS. THESE ARE GOOD FOR 49 HUNDRED POUNDS IN A CHOKER.
Brody asks, A CHOKER?
David explains, IT'S THE WAY IT'S POSITIONED AROUND THE LOAD. IT CHOKES THE LOAD, WHICH MEANS WHEN IT GETS TIGHT, IT TIGHTENS THE LOAD. OKAY, GREAT. NOW WE GOT IT STRAPPED UP; NOW WE'RE GONNA CALL THE CRANE POSITION THEM ON TOP OF THE LOAD.
David pushes a button on a walkie-talkie attached to his vest.
David says, OKAY, YOU CAN COME OVER HERE NOW. THERE YOU GO. SWINGING AND SLOWING DOWN THE HOIST BUT KEEP ON THE SWING, OKAY? HEIGHT IS GOOD JUST COME IN ON THE SWING, OKAY?
The hook lowers to the basket.
Brody says, THAT GUY'S GOOD.
David says, OKAY, BRODY, YOU CAN HOOK IT UP FOR ME.
Brody puts the two looped strap ends on the crane hook. He and David pull on them.
Brody says, ALRIGHT. LIKE THAT. LIKE THAT. SOUNDS SECURE.
David says, WE'RE READY TO GO.
David says, into his walkie-talkie, YOU CAN START HOISTING UP NOW SLOWLY.
[Beeping]
Over the walkie-talkie, the crane operator says, ROGER THAT.
The crane lifts the basket.
Brody says, UP SHE GOES. WHOA, CRANE OPERATING LOOKS LIKE FUN. CAN I GIVE IT A TRY? NOT JUST YET, BUDDY. BUT I GOT SOMETHING YOU COULD TRY INSIDE FIRST.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Brody enters a room with chairs positioned in front of large screens.
Brody says, WHOA, I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ARCADE IN HERE.
David says, NOT QUITE VIDEO GAMES. THESE ARE STATE-OF-THE-ART CRANE SIMULATORS.
Brody says, WHOA.
David says, THIS IS WHAT WE USE TO HELP TRAIN OUR STUDENTS TO GIVE THEM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY LIKE IN THE CRANE. DO YOU WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?
Brody says, IT WOULD BRING ME MUCH JOY... STICK.
[Brody chuckling]
David says, SO, THIS JOYSTICK HERE. YOU PULL IT TOWARDS YOURSELF, AND THAT LIFTS UP YOUR HOIST. PULL IT AWAY FROM YOURSELF. IT LOWERS THE HOIST. YOUR LEFT-HAND JOYSTICK, IF YOU MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT, IT WILL ALLOW THE CRANE TO SWING TO THE RIGHT.
Brody moves the joysticks and moves the load on the screen.
David says, MOVE IT TO THE LEFT; IT WILL SWING THE CRANE TO THE LEFT. NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO PICK THAT BLOCK UP AND PUT IT IN THE BLUE SHADOW. RIGHT THERE. HIT IT. HOOKING IN PROGRESS. THERE YOU GO. GOOD JOB.
Brody says, I'M TRYING TO GET A HIGH SCORE HERE.
On the screen, Brody moves boxes onto a flatbed trailer.
David says, THERE YOU GO. A LITTLE MORE. YOU'RE ALMOST THERE. YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! GREAT JOB.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
David asks, YOU READY FOR THE REAL THING?
Brody says, SAYONARA SIMULATOR.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the yard, David says, OKAY, BRODY, NOW THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE CRANE, LET ME SHOW YOU OUR MINI CRAWLER.
Brody says, WHOA.
David says, LET'S GET ON IN.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT.
Brody climbs into the cab of the mini crawler crane.
David says, SO, THESE CONTROLS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW IN THE SIMULATOR. SO HERE YOU HAVE YOUR SWING RIGHT AND LEFT. THAT CONTROL THERE IS YOUR HOIST DOWN AND UP AND ALSO YOUR BOOM UP AND DOWN. OKAY, BRODY FOR OUR EXERCISE, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WE'RE GONNA GRAB THAT CONCRETE BLOCK. I'M GONNA HOOK IT UP. WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO, WE'RE GONNA HOIST IT UP OFF THE GROUND A COUPLE OF FEET AND VERY SMOOTHLY PLACE IT ON TOP OF THE TIRE. SO, FIRST THINGS FIRST SHOW ME WHAT THE HOIST DOES.
Brody moves the hoist up.
Brody says, HOIST IS UP.
David says, GREAT JOB. HOIST DOWN FOR ME.
Brody moves the hoist down.
David says, PERFECT CAN YOU SWING TO THE RIGHT?
Brody says, RIGHT IS THIS.
[Whirring]
The hoist swings to the right.
David says, THERE YOU GO AND SWING TO THE LEFT. EXCELLENT, I THINK YOU'RE READY TO GO.
[Clinking]
David attaches a cable to the hook. On the other end is a 250-kilogram weight.
David says, WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO NOW YOU'RE GONNA HOIST UP NICE AND SLOWLY. LOOKING GOOD JUST LIKE THAT.
[Whirring]
The mini crawler lifts the weight.
David says, YOU'RE GONNA START TAKING WEIGHT RIGHT ABOUT NOW KEEP GOING JUST LIKE THAT. PERFECT. TIGHT IS GOOD. NOW VERY SLOWLY SWING IT TO THE RIGHT. LOOKING GOOD. NOW YOU CAN START COMING DOWN WHEN YOU'RE READY. BEAUTIFUL.
Brody lowers the weight onto the tire.
David says, YOU DID IT BRODY, GOOD JOB!
Brody says, YEAH!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Background engines humming, soft music plays]
In a garage, Brody stands on a forklift, and David leans against it.
Brody narrates, WE TOOK A BREAK FROM OUR HEAVY LIFTING SO I COULD HEAR DAVE'S UPLIFTING STORY.
Brody asks, WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A CRANE OPERATOR?
David says, I WAS AROUND 21 YEARS OLD WHEN I GOT INTO IT. I WENT TO SCHOOL FIRST. I DID A THREE-YEAR COLLEGE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS. I WASN'T SURE WHAT I WANTED TO DO. THEN I STARTED NOTICING ALL THESE TOWER CRANES POPPING UP ALL OVER THE CITY. I THOUGHT THEY WERE SO COOL THAT THEY WERE BUILDING THESE HIGH BUILDINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE. SO, I DID A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH. I FOUND OUT AN INSTITUTION CALLED O.E.T.I.O., OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING INSTITUTE, OUT OF MORRISBURG. AND I FOUND OUT THEY DO APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING THERE. IT WAS FORTUNATE I WAS SELECTED AND WENT OUT TO MORRISBURG FOR SIX WEEKS.
Brody asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A CRANE OPERATOR?
David replies, OH, ALMOST EVERYTHING. TO HAVE THAT MUCH POWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. TO PICK UP SOMETHING EFFORTLESSLY AND PLACE IT SOMEWHERE. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, WHEN YOU LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND, THAT IS REMARKABLE. THAT'S THE BEST FEELING.
Brody asks, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN CRANE OPERATING?
David replies, SO, IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU THINK YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING WHEN YOU'RE OLDER, LOOK UP OETIO.COM AND SEE WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE. WE OFFER TRAINING FOR CRANE OPERATING, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY. BUT YOU JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT SCARED OF HEIGHTS THOUGH.
Brody says, ALRIGHT, THAT'S SOMETHING TO CHECK OFF.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the mini crawler, Brody says, WHILE I CONTINUE TO CRANE OP, LET'S PICK UP A FEW FACTS ON THE HOISTORY OF THE MIGHTY CRANE.
[Whirring, gentle music plays]
Brody drives the crane forward. In a video clip, Akeylah holds a forked and straight stick.
Brody narrates, THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF CRANE-LIKE INNOVATIONS APPEARED IN MESOPOTAMIA, AROUND 3000 B.C. USING A LONG COUNTERBALANCE POLE ON A PIVOT POINT, THEY WERE ABLE TO LIFT AND MOVE HEAVY BUCKETS OF WATER FOR THEIR CROPS. THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS CONSTRUCTED THEIR LARGE MONUMENTS, CATHEDRALS AND BUILDINGS USING CRANES WHICH WERE POWERED BY ANIMALS OR HUMANS.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video, Akeylah wears a hat and a moustache. She stands in a factory and holds a teddy bear. She throws the teddy bear to the side and picks up metal bars.
Brody narrates, DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, STEAM ENGINES REPLACED THE NEED FOR HUMANS OR ANIMALS TO POWER THE CRANES. AND WOODEN CRANES WERE REPLACED BY STRONGER IRON AND STEEL ONES.
In a video, Akeylah holds a walkie-talkie. Cranes fill the skyline behind her.
Brody narrates, TODAY'S CRANES ARE POWERED THROUGH EITHER GAS OR ELECTRIC MOTORS OR HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS. WHICH CAN LIFT MUCH HEAVIER LOADS. CRANES OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND SIZES AND THEIR OPERATORS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND THROUGHOUT ONTARIO'S MANY CONSTRUCTION SITES.
[Whirring, upbeat music plays]
In the yard, Brody sits on a seat on a blue crane.
David says, OKAY BRODY, ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE?
Brody says, YEP.
David says, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN THIS SPIDER CRANE.
Brody asks, WHY IS IT CALLED A SPIDER CRANE?
David replies, OH, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE. SO, TO DRIVE THIS CRANE, THIS LEVER CONTROLS THE RIGHT TRACK, THAT LEVER CONTROLS THE LEFT TRACK. SO, TO MOVE FORWARD YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY FORWARD.
[Clicking]
Brody pushes the levers forward.
Brody asks, LIKE THAT?
David says, JUST LIKE THAT. ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE UP THAT WAY.
[Engine humming, upbeat music continues]
Brody smiles and drives the crane forward.
Brody says, WHOA! THIS IS THE BEST.
David says, ALRIGHT, LET'S STOP HERE. NOW I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHY IT'S CALLED A SPIDER CRANE. FIRST THING WE GOT TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO SET OUT THE OUTRIGGERS.
Brody gets out of the crane and stands beside David.
Brody asks, WHAT'S AN OUTRIGGER?
David says, THE OUTRIGGER IS WHAT, EXTEND OUT AND GIVE THE CRANE STABILITY WHEN IT'S SET UP. FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS PULL OUT THESE PINS.
[Rattling]
David pulls thick pins out of the side of the crane.
David says, SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS WE'RE EXTENDING THE OUTRIGGERS.
[Upbeat music continues]
Four outriggers move to the ground around the crane.
Brody says, YEAH, NOW I SEE WHY IT'S CALLED A SPIDER.
David says, OKAY BRODY, SO NOW THAT WE'RE SETTING ON OUTRIGGERS, LET'S START SCOPING HER OUT.
[Whirring]
David sits in the seat and operates the spider crane.
Brody says, ALRIGHT, LET'S SCOPE OUT.
[Whirring]
David extends the crane higher.
Brody says, WHOA, IT'S GETTING SO LONG. THAT'S SOME SCOPING.
David says, OKAY, BRODY. NOW THAT WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING SET UP, IT'S YOUR TURN. ARE YOU READY TO GO?
Brody says, YEAH.
David says, LET'S DO IT.
David gets up, and Brody excitedly climbs into the seat.
David says, WE'RE GONNA DO THE SAME EXERCISE WE DID WITH THE MINI CRAWLER. YOU'RE GONNA PICK UP THE CONCRETE BLOCK, PICK IT UP A COUPLE OF FEET, SWING IT TO THE RIGHT, PUT IT ON TOP OF THE TIRE.
Brody says, GOT IT. OKAY, SO...THIS IS...
Brody slowly moves a lever.
David says, THAT'S YOUR HOIST. UP, DOWN. AND THAT ONE THERE IS YOUR LEFT AND YOUR RIGHT.
[Clinking]
David attaches the weight to the hook.
David says, OKAY, BRODY, IT'S LIFTING TIME.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT. UP WE GO.
[Whirring]
The crane lifts the weight.
David says, THERE IT GOES, TAKING OFF THE GROUND NOW. SWING IT RIGHT.
Brody pulls a lever.
Brody says, LIKE THIS.
David says, OKAY. GO A LITTLE MORE. OKAY, WE CAN START BRINGING IT DOWN ON THE HOIST. THERE YOU GO, KEEP GOING. YOU GOT IT.
[Whirring]
Brody lowers the weight onto the tire.
Brody says, AND...
David says, NOW. PERFECT!
Brody says, EASY PEASY!
David says, GOOD JOB!
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody walk down the stairs to their work table.
Akeylah says, I GOTTA SAY, IT'S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD UP THERE.
Brody says, YEP. ALL THE GARDEN BOXES ARE BUILT AND FILLED IN.
Akeylah says, AND THANKS TO THE CRANE, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO CARRY ALL THOSE HEAVY MATERIALS UP TO THE ROOF.
Brody says, NO SIRREE. WE TURNED TO THE CRANE AND AVOIDED THE PAIN. MAYBE BEING A CRANE OPERATOR IS THE RIGHT JIB FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, BUT IF THAT DOESN'T HAVE YOU HOOKED, THERE ARE TONNES OF OTHER SKILLED TRADES THAT COULD LIFT YOU UP AND TAKE YOU TO THE TOP.
Both say, BYE!
Brody says, HEY, WHILE WE STILL HAVE THAT CRANE. YOU WANT TO GET A GIANT GARDEN GNOME?
Akeylah says, YES!
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Brody Agmon, Akeylah James. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: Dave Viggiani. Written and directed by Maria Bui. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to O.E.T.I.O. (Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario), Mike and Ann McKenna. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
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