Crane Operator

Also known as - Crane driver.

Crane operators are responsible for lifting and moving materials around a construction site as safely and efficiently as possible. As a crane driver you’d need to be practically-minded, with an understanding of how to drive and maintain heavy machinery.

Onsite
Vehicles-Machinery
Mechanical-Electrical
Sporty-working with hands

What does a crane operator do?

As a crane operator you will be responsible for the safe operation, control, and maintenance of cranes.

The job role of a crane operator includes the following duties:

Conducting machine safety checks each day
Setting up cranes and operating them
Moving material around site according to a plan or schedule
Monitoring crane stability and load weights
Working with a banksman to ensure site safety
Making minor repairs to machinery
Reporting any issues to the supervisor
Keeping records of the materials you’ve moved
Ensuring that travel routes are clear
Working on-site, in noisy conditions.

How to become a crane operator

While there are no formal qualifications needed to become a crane operator, there are several routes you could take to help you pursue this career. You could complete a college course or an apprenticeship or apply directly to an employer for work.

You should explore these routes to becoming a crane operator, to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards to work on a construction site.

College/training provider

You may have to attend a specialist college/training provider to train as a crane operator. You could complete a qualification, such as a Level 2 Certification in Plant Operations. This is usually done as part of learning on-the-job as an employee of a company.

Apprenticeship

You could complete a lifting technician intermediate apprenticeship with a construction company to start your career as a crane operator.

You’ll need GCSE qualifications, including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could gain a job as a construction site labourer and gain experience using heavy plant machinery before training as a crane operator.

Alternatively, you could apply directly to an employer for a job as a crane operator and learn under the supervision of an experienced crane driver.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a crane operator. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Key skills needed for a crane operator include:

An understanding of how to use and maintain machines and tools
Good team working skills
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Attention to details
Good spatial awareness.

Qualifications

England

To become a crane operator you could complete a:

Level 2 NVQ in Construction Plant Operations
Level 2 Lifting Technician Apprenticeship

Scotland

To become a crane operator you could complete a:

Level 5 SVQ in Plant Operations
Level 5 Apprenticeship in Plant Operations

Wales

To become a crane operator you could complete a:

Level 2 NVQ in Plant Operations
Level 2 Apprenticeship in Plant Operations

How much could you earn as a crane operator?

The expected salary for a crane operator varies as you become more experienced.

Trainees and newly trained crane operators can earn from £25,000
Trained crane operators with experience can earn up to £55,000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

As you gain more experience in your job as a crane operator, you could progress to become a crane supervisor or a banksman/slinger. You could complete a Level 3 or 4 NVQ in Lifting Operations on-the-job to improve your job prospects.

Alternatively, you could move into a more senior role as a foreman or site manager and take on responsibility for overseeing work carried out on a construction site.