Join the industry
11 February 2016
A skills shortage in the lifting and specialized transport industry is already an issue and it needs to be addressed now to prevent bigger problems in future.
The SC&R Foundation has produced a five minute video that can be used to help attract people to the industry. It features employees from member companies of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA). They highlight their job responsibilities, explain how they got into the industry, and describe what a typical day looks like. As personal stories they share the passion and excitement of working and building a career in the industry.
Also shown in the video is that annual salaries can be in the US$40,000 to $200,000 range, depending on background and experience.
Stephanie Bragg, SC&R Foundation president, said, “The Foundation and its Board are very excited about this project. It will help us reach so many people who might otherwise never realise how many good-paying jobs that really matter are available. We see it as a great snapshot of what the crane and rigging and specialized trucking industry has to offer.”
Providing testimonials in the video are crane operators, drivers, engineers and others involved with transporting, lifting and positioning oversize and overweight objects that are key components in the world’s energy and construction industries. Comments from some of those involved include the following:
Jorge Pompa Gale from Precision Heavy Haul in the USA, said, “This field is challenging in a way because you’re never doing the same thing over and over again. It’s amazing what an idea in your head can do. You design something on paper and the satisfaction of seeing something on the road - it’s priceless.”
Jason Wolterman at Perkins SPC in the USA, said, “What I would say to someone interested in a career in this industry is - don't be afraid of it!”
Frank Ortiz at Precision Heavy Haul in the USA said, “Be very patient, it's gonna take time…if you come in with the right attitude and are willing to learn something, people will be willing to help you out.”
Jason Jelaco at Rossco Crane & Rigging in the USA said, “The most exciting part of the job is getting to be somewhere different, see things in different places.”
Footage in the video shows lifting and transport jobs underway at 13 SC&RA member companies: Alaska Crane; Barnhart; Bill’s Mobile Crane Service; Bragg Companies; Contractors Cargo Company; Deep South Crane and Rigging; Mountain Crane Service; Palletized Trucking; Perkins STC, Precision Heavy Haul; Rossco Crane and Rigging; Southern Industrial Constructions/Southern Crane; and Trinity Logistics Group.
The video can be used to educate school counsellors, career advisers and vocational or tech schools on the many facets of the multiple opportunities in the industry. It would also be useful at careers fairs. The SC&R Foundation promotes the industry worldwide, through grants, scholarships, research and educational initiatives. To view the free video CLICK HERE or see: www.scr-foundation.org/videos