The Specialized Carries & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) is developing the 2nd annual Industry Workforce Survey to Determine the State of Industry. The 2023 Report established a workforce development benchmark unlike any other data collection industry-wide.

In 2021, the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) conducted an extensive survey across four key sectors: Oversize/Overweight Transportation Services, Crane Rental & Services, Rigging Services, and Support Services. This survey aimed to uncover detailed insights into workforce characteristics and challenges within these industries.

Key Findings:

The survey examined a wide range of roles including Drivers, Operators, Maintenance Staff, Dispatch, Sales, Back Office (Accounting, Human Resources, Safety), Operations Management, and Executives.

Information was gathered on the number of employees, average employment duration, wages, education levels, recruitment methods, turnover rates, reasons for turnover, and other workforce issues.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the workforce, the survey results are presented in three formats:

1. By Occupation by Sector**:
- Responses are detailed for each occupation within each specific sector.
- Example: Analysis of Drivers specifically within the Transportation Services sector.

2. By Occupation Across Sectors**:
- Responses for a single occupation are aggregated across all sectors.
- Example: Combined data for Executives from Transportation, Crane Rental & Services, Rigging Services, and Supporting Services sectors.

3. Multiple Occupations by Sector**:
- Groups of occupations with similar wage and education characteristics are combined.
- This method ensures a clearer comparison where job descriptions and responses are sufficiently similar.

Highlighted Statistics:

• Crane and Rigging Operators**: Highest average wages with 87% of firms paying over $35/hr.
• Rigging Services**: 47% of firms reported paying over $35/hr.
• Transportation Services**: 27.5% of firms reported paying over $35/hr.
• Supporting Services**: 33% of firms reported paying over $35/hr.

For context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides 2021 average wage data:

All Occupations:

Less than high school degree - $15.65/hr; High school degree - $20.23/hr.
Skilled Trades**: Construction equipment operators - $26.87/hr; Electricians - $30.44/hr; Welders - $23.21/hr; Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers - $24.20/hr.

This detailed and nuanced approach offers valuable insights into the workforce dynamics across different sectors, helping companies understand trends and challenges in their respective industries. By combining data across multiple occupations and sectors where appropriate, SC&RF provides a robust framework for analyzing workforce characteristics and addressing sector-specific issues effectively.