NCCCO Foundation Launches Recruitment Playbook to Strengthen Crane Industry Workforce
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
30-Second Takeaway
The NCCCO Foundation has introduced a new recruitment playbook aimed at helping employers move beyond informal hiring practices. The guide provides structured strategies, targeted outreach tools, and resources to attract talent from underrepresented and adjacent industries, including women in trades, truck drivers, and construction workers. It is available as a free download for industry stakeholders.
NCCCO Foundation Targets Smarter Hiring Strategies
The NCCCO Foundation (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) has launched a crane industry recruitment playbook designed to modernise hiring practices across the sector.
The initiative encourages employers to move away from word-of-mouth recruitment and adopt more structured, strategic approaches to workforce development.
By providing a clear framework, the playbook aims to help companies attract, evaluate, and retain qualified talent more effectively.
Focus on Skills Over Job Titles
A key element of the recruitment playbook is its emphasis on core competencies rather than traditional job titles or qualifications alone.
The guide highlights essential attributes for crane industry roles, including:
Problem solving
Concentration and focus
Accountability
Attention to detail
This approach is intended to broaden the talent pool by identifying candidates with transferable skills who may not have considered careers in the crane sector.
Targeting New Talent Pools
The crane industry recruitment playbook includes tailored guidance and tools for engaging three key target groups:
Women entering skilled trades
Truck drivers with commercial driving licences (CDLs)
Construction workers transitioning into new roles
Each group is supported with specific messaging, outreach strategies, and engagement tools, helping employers connect more effectively with these audiences.
Practical Tools and Resources Included
Beyond strategy, the playbook provides ready-to-use resources to support implementation.
These include:
Recruitment messaging templates
Images and video assets
Step-by-step guidance for outreach campaigns
The goal is to make it easier for employers to adopt structured recruitment methods without needing to develop materials from scratch.
Industry-Wide Resource for Workforce Development
T.J. Cantwell, executive director of NCCCO, said:
“The playbook is a first for the crane industry by providing not only well founded and tested strategies for recruiting quality employees, but also sharing free messaging, images, and videos to implement the strategy. It’s intended for anyone recruiting for the crane industry, including contractors, crane companies, training providers, unions, and other workforce partners.”
The resource is positioned as an industry-wide tool, supporting collaboration across employers, training organisations, and workforce development partners.
Supporting Long-Term Workforce Growth
The launch of the NCCCO recruitment playbook reflects ongoing concerns around labour shortages and skills gaps in the crane and construction sectors.
By promoting more inclusive and strategic hiring practices, the foundation aims to support long-term workforce sustainability and ensure the industry can meet growing demand.
The playbook is available as a free download, making it accessible to organisations of all sizes.
About
The NCCCO Foundation is part of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), a US-based organisation focused on improving safety and standards in the crane industry through certification, education, and workforce development initiatives. The foundation supports research, outreach, and programs designed to strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline and promote best practices in training and recruitment.
Website: www.ncccofoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCCCO recruitment playbook?
The NCCCO recruitment playbook is a guide designed to help employers adopt structured hiring strategies and attract talent to the crane industry.
Who is the playbook designed for?
It is intended for contractors, crane companies, training providers, unions, and workforce partners involved in recruiting for the crane industry.
What talent groups does the playbook target?
The playbook focuses on women in trades, truck drivers with CDLs, and construction workers changing roles.
What resources are included in the playbook?
It includes recruitment strategies, messaging templates, images, videos, and outreach guidance.
Why is the playbook important for the crane industry?
It helps address labour shortages by expanding the talent pool and improving recruitment practices.
Is the NCCCO recruitment playbook free?
Yes, the playbook is available as a free download for industry stakeholders.
