• Crane operators work in the construction trade and the shipping industry.crane image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  A crane operator, sometimes known as an operating engineer, uses heavy-duty construction machinery to move objects from one place to another. The exact duties of a crane operator vary depending on the industry of employment. In the construction trade, a crane operator shifts large amounts of soil and construction material, and uses a wrecking ball to demolish derelict buildings. In the shipping industry, crane operators move large freight containers on and off docked ships. The salary of a crane operator as of July 2010 was from $54,975 to $102,740, as stated on the Pay Scale education and career advice website.
  
  

Apprenticeship Programs

• Most crane operator candidates enter the field via apprenticeship programs. Courses usually last for at least three years. Apprenticeship programs combine classroom instruction with work placement training. Apprentices are taught about the mechanical structure of cranes and how to operate them efficiently and safely. They also learn essential communication techniques, such as contacting laborers on ground level using radio devices or manual hand gestures, as stated on the State University website. Communication from the crane operator is essential to ensure worker safety.
  
  Apprenticeship programs are available through the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). Applicants to either program must be at least 18 years old, and are usually required to have high school diplomas.
  
  

Safety Training

• Large parts of apprenticeship programs focus on safety regulations for crane usage, which are jointly governed by the construction industry and federal legislation. Crane operators must be aware of activity on the ground level and of any impediments they may face when in an elevated position. Crane operators must react swiftly to any mechanical failures, and be aware of safe operating distances from any impediments such as other buildings or power cables. Electrocution via contact with power lines has caused fatalities amongst crane operators.
  
  

Licensure

• Most state laws require crane operators to be fully licensed, as indicated on the Diploma Guide education and career advice website. To attain licensure, applicants typically need to take a written test and undergo a practical skills assessment.
  
  

Certification

• Crane operators are employed across a range of industries, including steel manufacturing, shipping, construction work and logging. Most companies expect crane operators to have professional certification in addition to a state license. Certification is offered by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), which has certificate programs at technical schools and community colleges across the United States.
  
  Recertification is required every five years to insure crane operators stay current with any technological developments in crane usage. Candidates must pass an exam and demonstrate a minimum of a thousand hours of crane operator work within the previous five years to be eligible for recertification, as stated on the NCCCO website.