72501

Water well drillers

TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 72 › 725 › 7250

Definition

Water well drillers operate a variety of mobile water well drilling rigs and equipment to drill and monitor residential, commercial and industrial water wells. They are employed by water well drilling contractors and governments, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Review client requirements and proposed locations for water wells
Operate water well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore and dig for residential, commercial and industrial water wells or environmental assessment, and install well screens, casings and other well fixtures
Document geological formations encountered
Clean and disinfect wells in preparation for use
Perform routine mechanical maintenance work on water well drilling rigs and equipment
Install, test, maintain and repair water well pumps, piping systems and equipment and perform pumping tests to assess well performance
May provide other drilling services, such as repair or dismantling of existing water well structure, elevator shaft drilling and hydro pole drilling.
Water well drillers may specialize in a specific method of drilling, such as cable, rotary, auger, hammer or reverse circulation drilling.

Example job titles

•cable tool driller - water well drilling
•churn drill operator - water well drilling
•water well driller
•water well driller apprentice

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, Water well drillers are classified under NOC code 72501 in the TEER 2 category. These skilled professionals operate mobile drilling rigs to drill, clean, and service water wells for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients. They are typically employed by specialized water well drilling contractors or operate as self-employed individuals.

Key duties for this occupation involve analyzing site conditions, setting up drilling rigs, installing casings, screens, and pumps, and performing yield testing on water flow. Employment requirements generally include the completion of secondary school, alongside either a completed apprenticeship program or several years of hands-on experience in the trade. Trade certification is compulsory in provinces like Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, and available but voluntary in others.

Because NOC 72501 falls under TEER 2, qualified candidates may be eligible for Canadian permanent residency through Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) draws in the Express Entry pool, as well as targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official regulatory updates, refer directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.