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.