How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You could do a college course like construction plant operations.
This would teach you how to operate different types of plant machinery. You could then apply to construction companies for a trainee crane driver position.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Lifting Technician Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship to become a crane driver.
You may do a Port Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, if you're going to work in a port. This would train you on how to operate gantry cranes and lifting machinery in a cargo terminal.
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete. They combine on-the-job training with off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as a construction groundworker, labourer or plant operator.
Once you've got experience of using heavy plant machinery like excavators, you could do crane driver training.
You could also work as a slinger-signaller, the person who guides lifting operations from the ground, then move into crane driving after completing extra training.
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Registration
You'll usually need a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card or National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) card to work on a site
Career tips
Safety on site is extremely important. Being able to communicate clearly with your slinger-signaller team on the ground is essential.
It's also important to have the confidence to ask questions if any instructions are unclear, especially when starting out.
Further information
You can find more details about how to become a crane driver from Go Construct.