Crane driver
Crane drivers operate lifting machinery at construction sites, quarries, mines, ports and warehouses.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a crane operator, you could:
- read the day's lift plan and check anything that's unclear
- set up the crane controls and carry out safety checks
- load and unload materials from lorries, or containers from cargo ships
- move materials around a construction site or quarry
- monitor sensors that measure wind speed, crane stability and load weights
- report problems to the crane supervisor
- keep in close contact by radio with workers on the ground to carry out lifts safely
Working environment
You could work on a construction site, at a port or at a quarry.
Your working environment may be at height and noisy.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience and further training you could:
- become a crane supervisor, directing lifting operations from the ground
- move into crane engineering and repair
- become a construction manager, with responsibility for all site operations
- specialise in working on cranes used in offshore construction or salvage
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- concentration skills
- active listening skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have a category C1 or C LGV licence if driving mobile cranes on public roads
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
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.
More Information
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
More Information
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.
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.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.