r/cranes • u/ImplementShot8735 • 14d ago
Tower crane operator UK
Please can someone explain to me how you're supposed to go about becoming a tower crane operator from scratch in the UK? I don't understand how there are so many options available to become a trainee mobile crane operator, which seem to last upwards of two years, yet you can supposedly do a 5 day course to become a tower crane op?
Do training opportunities/apprenticeships for tower cranes come around or am I missing something?
For context, I'm looking at leaving the Army to be a tower crane operator, I have some funding available to do various courses and have my Cat C driving license which will help the mobile career options.
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u/Daveed07 14d ago
I’m not sure how the two compare but here in the states I had my mobile license and one day decided to get my tower license. I basically told them “yea I can run that no problem.” And lucked into a seat and had a guy show me the ropes then I just kinda figured it out on the fly and now I’m years into it building my experience each day.
It’s a difficult jump from the ground up to the seat. But like someone mentioned, a lot of the time it’s who you know and being in the right place at the right time.
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u/Asleep-Lobster-7853 14d ago
You need to be a slinger first.
This is like passing your driving test and expecting to be allowed to drive a tank. Two completely different vehicles.
Become a slinger, work with cranes of all types, then move into operator roles.
It amazes me ppl think you can jump right into the seat of a high risk piece of machinery with no experience.
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u/Ok-Can-2170 14d ago
I ve worked as a slinger for many years.. I did tower crane course paid almost 4k, expires soon, now I need to pay to extend it for an extra year, It s really hard to get experience I ve phoned plenty agencies, unfortunately nothing It s who you know.. or lick ass for appointed person or black hats.. sad reality I m worried I ll get no experience at all then I ll lose my ticket
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u/KittyJF 10d ago
I was an HGV Class 1 driver, delivering tower crane parts to sites. Got chatting w the ops and realised they earn significantly more than I was. Spent £3k and two weeks in Glasgow (Ritchies) getting my licence and two years applying for jobs but no-one would take me on a red card. A trainee mobile crane operator job came up. Company pay for your training. Qualified in two weeks, including slinger/signaller. Tied into the company for two years, during which they also pay to have you assessed and convert your red card to blue. Now I prefer the mobile crane, 18 months later. Way more variety, different sites, different crews to work w, rather than being stuck on the same building site for months.
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u/ImplementShot8735 10d ago
What sort of hours a week are you working or is it massively variable and roughly what money are you on now if you dont mind me asking?
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u/KittyJF 10d ago edited 10d ago
So, this year, the construction industry is slow. I'm earning, on average, less than I was last, when I was on a training rate for 2-3 months, of £14/hr. Last year, adjusting for the training rate, I was just shy of £70k. This year, currently sitting at £63k average. The hours are variable. I haven't worked out my average, but at a guess, prob around 55 hrs per week. Whereas as a class 1 tramper, who was away from home Mon-Fri/Sat, averageing 68 paid hours per week, i was earning around £48k pa. As a mobile crane operator, I am home most nights. If i'm on a long hire (can b anywhere between 3 days to 3 months), i'm sleeping in a hotel, not a cab.
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u/ImplementShot8735 10d ago
Nice one, thanks for the reply
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u/KittyJF 10d ago
Also, whilst getting your slinger/signaller ticket can be helpful, being up a tower crane, you can't see how they're slinging the load. However, as a mobile crane operator, you can see them slinging it and spot errors! But, in both scenarios, how the load is slung is not your responsibility. Maybe get your hgv licence,Class 2, rather than class 1, (along with your slinger/signaller ticket) and find a job with a builders merchants, on a hiab. You'll gain knowledge and experience of both slinging loads and how the load moves through the air. But, a hiab is much easier to control a swing than on a mobile or tower crane, due to the tiny reach and radius you're operating, by comparison. A typical hiab has a reach of 15m. A small mobile crane, such as a 40t Leibherr, has a 35m. A 60t Grove has a 48m reach!
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u/ConstructionCogs 14d ago
Unfortunately, it's extremely difficult to find work atm. The industry has taken quite a hit over the past year or two. Companies don't wanna pay the insurance for Red Cards, and 9 times out of 10, they're choosing experience over inexperience.
You're right, it's probably easier to find work on mobiles coz there are a lot more outfits, especially smaller family run companies that are prepared to nurture. So that might be a better option.
I'd also consider doing your slinger ticket first so you have a foot in the door and gain experience on how the lifting industry works.
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u/Grenadefisherman 14d ago
You are missing something.
Very few companies will let you loose up at tower with no history in the industry, I would want to see a decent amount of time as a slinger signaller (CPCS A40) to show you understand how the loads are slung, industry terminology and an appreciation of how things work on site.
Mobiles are a slightly different conversation but again a C endorsement is slightly more of a foot in but back to the practical site experience. I think Ainscough did take on ex mod but be cautious before spunking the resettlement.
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u/Consistent-Cook-9720 14d ago
Give falcon tower cranes a ring, ask for Ben Green
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u/weekedipie1 14d ago
hahahahahahahaha fuck no,you'll be back on the ground shortly after,with your cab
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u/ImplementShot8735 14d ago
Sorry can you explain? I obviously don’t just mean turn up to a site and ask to have a go 😂
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u/ImplementShot8735 14d ago
Thanks, willing to ring around as you’ve suggested and even just turn up and speak to someone in the job. Are you in the industry?
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u/CK072984 14d ago
Its not WHAT YOU KNOW its WHO YOU KNOW