By federal law, crane operators must be legally certified. Since this law became official on December 10, 2018, a lot of questions routinely come up about crane operator schools.
Operating a crane is more complex than you might think, so you need to make sure you have a full understanding of what the job entails and what kind of training crane operators are required to receive.
A crane operator controls the heavy machinery that moves enormous cargo loads. This job can be performed in a wide variety of settings and involve different types of cranes, depending on what you decide to specialize in. You’ll control how cranes lift, move, and place cargo.
In order to be a successful crane operator, you should have good problem-solving skills, enjoy working with your hands, and be able to solve spatial problems. You should also have good communication skills and be able to work well as part of a team while being constantly aware of your surroundings.
Training crane operators requires matching the requirements of the career with the skills of trainees so that every job will be done efficiently and safely. You will learn how to assemble cranes on site, how to inspect and use them, how to calculate load capacities, and how to do routine maintenance on the machines.
You will need to enter an apprenticeship program at a crane operator school. This program can last from one to three years. It will usually involve on-site and online training. You may have to pass a substance screening test and provide proof that you are healthy before ultimately taking a licensure exam.
If enrolling in a crane operator school sounds like the next best step for you, there’s no better time to get going on the path to a rewarding career than right now.