12 Entry Level Skills to Get Started in Crane, Rigging & Specialized Transportation
Operators are the first job most people think of when exploring a career in the lifting and transportation equipment market. But often crane operators, transport and truck drivers, and industrial forklift operators first gained experience in more entry level positions.
If you like the idea of operating big lifting equipment or hauling massive loads, these skills will put you on the right path.
1. Math and reading literacy: Construction math, including measurement, decimals, fractions, and percentages, and geometry and angles is essential. Reading and comprehension is important so that you can understand operation manuals, safety materials, and other written instructions.
2. Experience with technology: Today’s equipment is equipped with computers, telematics, and other sophisticated technology. Being able to accurately program operator aid devices or communicate with service personnel regarding error codes is regular part of the job.
3. Dexterity and eye-hand coordination: It takes a certain amount of finesse and soft touch to smoothly operate equipment that may require precise positioning. While this is a skill that can improve with practice, some people just have it and others don’t. Finding a training provider that offers training using simulators is a great way to practice without putting yourself or others at risk.
4. Critical thinking and problem solving: The operator is often the last point in the chain of command when it comes to material handling operations. While many others have responsibility for planning and confirming the accuracy and safety of the lift or move before it gets to the operator, those people can’t account for changing conditions happening in the moment. Operators need to be confident in their knowledge of equipment’s capabilities as well as what is within safe parameters every time
5. Teamwork and communication: These skills are important for many jobs, but operators have to be able to work with safety directors, lift supervisors, project managers, riggers and even other trades. While it can be somewhat of a lonely job, spending many hours in the cab by yourself, it’s still important to work well with others.
6. Customer service: Often operators are put in a position of communicating with someone representing the customer. It might be a facility receiving delivery of the load or project owner’s representative. Their goals—often impacted by time and money—are not always the same as yours, which should always be to get the job done safely. But operators have to remember they are often the face of their company, so good customer service skills are important.
A few additional skills, that are more technical in nature, will also go a long way toward making you employable for starting positions.
7. Maintenance and mechanics: You can never go wrong with an understanding of hydraulics, electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical systems. That doesn’t mean you need to have a degree in diesel mechanics, but being able to understand operation and troubleshooting of these systems is a plus.
8. Commercial driver’s license: The minimum age to get your CDL is 18 or 21, depending on the state’s requirements. It is possible to earn a CDL with certain restrictions or additional endorsements. This article provides an overview. Having a CDL is an important tool for operating any highway mobile equipment, and advanced career paths include many specialized skill sets.
9. Welding: Being able to weld isn’t directly related to driving trucks or operating cranes, but many employers in the crane, rigging, and specialized transportation industry do custom fabrication to solve unique material handling challenges.
10. Load securement: Tool selection and inspection, choosing securement methods appropriate for the size and weight of the load, establishing working load limits, and proper weight distributions, are all a part of properly tying down a load.
11. Signaling: Visual communication is just as important as verbal communication in this industry. Knowing how to give and interpret proper hand signals is a key part of teamwork and communication. This is one of those skills sets for which online courses are readily available.
12. Rigging: Individuals with basic rigger skills know how to select correct size and type of rigging gear while applying construction math principles like weight calculations, determining center of gravity, effect of sling angles, and more. While basic rigging is an introduction to the industry, rigging is a career path in its own right with advanced levels and certifications.
Recommended sources for training and certification
These organizations are Partners in Education with the SC&RF, providing free or discounted training and certification scholarships. Contact Jackie Roskos for more information at jroskos@scranet.org.