Recruiting for the Crane Industry?
WOMEN IN THE TRADES
BY T. J. CANTWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NCCCO FOUNDATION
Consider three priority audiences first
The crane industry, similar to most other construction trades, needs to identify and recruit the next generation of employees to fill vital roles at all levels. Unfortunately, the need for and lack of quality candidates is not a new problem. However, in the past few years, the NCCCO Foundation has dedicated significant effort to address the issue through the development of new workforce research and the creation of recruitment
CDL DRIVERS
resources designed to strategically increase awareness among the public about crane careers.
The Playbook
The latest resource developed and released by the Foundation in coordination with experienced marketing consultants is the“ Recruitment Playbook for the Crane & Load Handling Industry.” Based on research, operator insights and real-world testing, the Playbook provides a
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
practical framework for strategically expanding outreach and recruitment.
Rather than focusing solely on job titles or credentials, the Playbook emphasizes core attributes that consistently align with successful operators( problem-solving, focus, accountability and attention to detail), while also providing tools for how to recruit candidates that possess these attributes.
Audience Most importantly, the Playbook focuses on three priority audiences for recruitment as the groups who already have aligned skills
12 September 4, 2026 www. contractorshotline. com