Explore careers

Useful experience for crane operators includes:

• working as a dogman on the ground below a crane, attaching loads and communicating with the crane operator
• building or engineering work
• truck driving
• operating earthmoving or other heavy machinery.

Crane operators may do some or all of the following:

• check their crane's air, water, oil, fuel and lifting equipment
• drive mobile cranes to work sites
• set up cranes and make sure they are secure
• organise the lift plan and allocate work to the team
• make sure loads are not too heavy for the crane, and identify and control any hazards
• follow directions from a team member on the ground 
• lift and move loads and place them in the required position.

Crane operators usually start by working as dogmen, who rig (attach) loads to cranes and direct crane operators from the ground.

Strong demand for experienced crane operators

Experienced crane operators are in high demand due to:

• a construction boom that is predicted to peak in 2020, meaning more building work
• the aging crane operator workforce – as crane operators reach retirement age there are openings for new staff.

Chances of getting work as a dogman are also good. Crane operators usually start as dogmen before becoming crane operators so that they understand the process of lifting and moving objects with a crane before operating one.

Crane operator appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled crane operators from overseas to work in New Zealand. 

However, like many building jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for crane operators.

According to the Census, 1,542 crane operators worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Approach employers directly if you have no experience

Crane operators tend to stay in the role for a long time, so turnover is low.

If you have little or no experience, your best chance of entering the crane industry is to approach crane companies directly with your CV and see if they are willing to take you on and train you.

Most crane operators work in construction

Most crane operators work for employers in the building and construction industry. They are also employed in:

• manufacturing
• engineering and civil construction
• machinery equipment hire and leasing
• forestry
• water transport (operating dockyard cranes).

Crane Association of New Zealand

(04) 473 3558 - info@cranes.org.nz - www.cranes.org.nz

Te Pūkenga

0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT) - https://earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

Crane operators may progress to become training assessors, supervisors or managers.

Crane operators usually specialise in operating particular types of cranes, such as:

• truck loader, tower and mini crawler cranes that move objects on construction sites
• container and ships' cranes, and straddle cranes that move containers on wharves
• mobile, non-slewing articulated and gantry cranes that shift heavy parts in factories
• crawler, mobile and tower cranes that place concrete and build bridges
• gantry cranes involved in steel fabrication.

Crane operators need to be:

• responsible and careful
• able to work well independently and in teams
• patient and observant
• good communicators
• good at decision making.