NCCCO Foundation research examines barriers to crane operator careers
30 Second Takeaway
New research from the NCCCO Foundation, SkillEdge Research and Consulting, and Hofstra University examines where people pursuing crane operator careers lose momentum. The report finds that interest in the profession is strong, but many candidates stall between training and certification. Its recommendations focus on better preparation, support through the transition to certification, clearer career pathways and recruitment that explains how to enter the profession. The Foundation will discuss the findings in a free webinar on November 12, 2026.
Research identifies a gap between training and certification
The NCCCO Foundation has released Examining Barriers to Entry in the Crane Operator
Profession, a research report developed in partnership with SkillEdge Research and Consulting and Hofstra University.
The report examines where people interested in becoming crane operators encounter obstacles as they move toward entering the industry. It is intended as a resource for private companies, unions, training providers, HR professionals and others involved in recruiting and developing crane operators.
“The study shows that interest in crane careers is strong, but that most candidates typically stall between training and certification,” said T.J. Cantwell, Executive Director of the
NCCCO Foundation. He said the research identifies barriers to entry and recommendations that the Foundation and others can use in workforce development.
Recommendations for strengthening the workforce pipeline
The report outlines four recommendations for addressing barriers and helping candidates progress:
Strengthen preparation and transfer of training so candidates can better apply what they learn as they move toward certification and employment.
Support candidates through transition between training, certification and entry into work.
Make the career pathway visible so prospective operators can understand the steps involved in pursuing the profession.
Recruit with a route, not just an image by showing candidates how to move from interest in crane operation toward a career.
The findings and recommendations are intended to inform workforce development efforts across the industry.
Free webinar and report access
The NCCCO Foundation will host a free webinar on November 12, 2026, to discuss the research findings and recommendations.
Interested participants can register for the webinar.
The report and other workforce research are available through the NCCCO Foundation’s workforce research page.
About the NCCCO Foundation
The NCCCO Foundation works on safety, education, research and workforce development for the crane industry. Its work includes conducting safety and workforce research, providing industry resources related to certification and workforce development, and supporting initiatives designed to help people learn about and pursue careers in crane operation. The Foundation also provides access to workforce resources, including career information and training and certification scholarships.
View website: https://www.ncccofoundation.org/
Frequently asked questions
What does the new NCCCO Foundation report examine?
Examining Barriers to Entry in the Crane Operator Profession looks at where people pursuing crane operator careers lose momentum and identifies practical recommendations for recruitment, preparation, certification progress and entry into work.
Who developed the research?
The NCCCO Foundation developed the report in partnership with SkillEdge Research and Consulting and Hofstra University.
What are the report’s main recommendations?
The report recommends strengthening preparation and transfer of training, supporting candidates through transitions, making career pathways more visible and recruiting with a clear route into the profession.
When is the webinar about the research?
The NCCCO Foundation’s free webinar is scheduled for November 12, 2026. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/barriers_research_webinar.
