Crane Driver Apprenticeship

Crane Driver Apprenticeship

Crane operators lift and deliver things as safely and efficiently as possible around a construction site. As a crane driver, you must be practical and know how to handle and maintain heavy machinery.

Responsibilities

Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:

  • set up cranes and carry out safety checks
  • load and unload lorries
  • shift loads around the site
  • monitor sensors that measure wind speed, crane stability and load weights
  • carry out minor repairs to machinery
  • report problems to the crane supervisor
  • keep in close contact with workers on the ground to operate safely.

Salary

  • Apprentice crane drivers can earn £17,000 – £20,000
  • Trained crane drivers with some experience can earn £20,000 – £35,000
  • Senior crane drivers can earn in excess of £35,000.

Working hours

You will typically work 37 to 42 hours per week including evening and weekends and working away from work.

Working environment

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be at height and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Qualifications

Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice crane driver include:

  • Level 2 Lifting Technician – Entry requirements for this level include some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship. This qualification takes 18 months to complete.

Skills

On a crane driver apprenticeship, you’ll learn:

  • concentration skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training you could:

  • become a crane supervisor, signaller or slinger
  • specialise in operating heavy cranes
  • work on construction projects all over the world
  • get a manager job with responsibility for the day-to-day running of a site.
Updated on December 30, 2022

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