How to Get a Job as a Crane Driver
Crane drivers are a special breed of heavy equipment operators. In addition being technically skilled and accurate, they must be content to spend most of their day alone encased in a small closed box. They must rely on the direction of the team they are working beside because the view from the top of the crane provides only about 10 percent of the whole picture. There are a number of steps to consider when trying to get a job as a crane driver.
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Instructions
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Receive training from an organization such as the ATS Heavy Equipment Operator School. The curriculum will prepare you to move directly into a crane driver position through instruction on the operations of both fixed cab and swing cab hydraulic cranes. Students learn the concepts of moving loads with various types of cranes, operational techniques for moving loads under different circumstances, hoisting, boom assembly and emergency procedures. In addition, most training centers provide pre-certification preparation and job leads.
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Get a certificate of competency from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators in addition to your commercial drivers license, which you can obtain from your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Check with your state licensing board to see if you live in one of the 15 states that require crane drivers to have a special operator's license.
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Earn a certificate from the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) that allows you to work with hazardous materials to increase available career opportunities. The training provided by OSHA representatives includes instruction on safety procedures and awareness.
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Start out as a dogman, the crane driver's helper who stands at the bottom of the crane and attaches weights and loads to the bottom of the machine. The dogman acts as a lookout through a walkie-talkie for the crane driver. Many crane drivers get their first experience in the field in this entry-level position. Promotions tend to go to those with experience who've learned first-hand the dangers and intricacies of the work.
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Look for positions in manufacturing in addition to construction sites. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the greatest number of crane drivers is employed in manufacturing facilities that work with metal, metal fabrication and other heavy materials. Shipyards and major ports also offer a considerable market for crane operators looking for jobs unloading large containers from ships.
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Tips & Warnings
Join a trade group such as the Association of Crane and Rigging Professionals to build contacts in the industry that can lead to advancement and job prospects while keeping you updated on industry changes and allowing you to support lobbying and trade efforts of the group.
Do not consider a job as a crane driver if you are afraid of heights.
