real-world questions than read from a PowerPoint all day.”
Class sizes are intentionally limited, allowing instructors to adapt lessons on the fly based on participants’ performance. Interactive tools reinforce exam prep and highlight areas that need extra attention, while discussions often draw on real-world experiences shared by operators from a variety of industries.
These conversations also encourage peer learning, helping operators see how safety standards are applied in practice.
“ If candidates have a realworld question or real-world scenario that they’ re not sure if they handled it right, now’ s the time to ask about it and now’ s the time to talk about it,” Sarah Elisabeth, COO of GCI, added.“ Because they’ re in a room not just with the instructor’ s experience, but they’ re also in a room with other people who bring sometimes 20 to 30 years of experience.”
By combining hands-on practice with real-world examples, GCI aims to give candidates the knowledge and confidence to uphold safety requirements and serve as informed advocates on their crews.
Customized Training
GCI builds training programs around the needs of both the employer and the individual operator. Seat time and classroom instruction are adjusted based on experience: some trainees may only need limited hands-on practice, while others benefit from additional crane time to strengthen their foundation.
Rather than offering onesize-fits-all programs, GCI works directly with employers to match training to specific equipment and job requirements. That might mean extra seat time for newer operators or more educational focus on standards and procedures, depending on what the job calls for.
“ We are custom to our clients’ needs,” continued Elisabeth.“ We have some clients who come in, and they only need an hour of seat time
April 2026 • www. thepartsconnection. org • 13