Cranes Apprentices
Become fully qualified in 1–2 years
Cranes apprenticeships

Get qualified in 1–2 years while earning on the job.

Start in the industry, build safe lifting skills on real worksites, and progress through clear training milestones with EarnLearn supporting your training, assessments, and wellbeing.

Why choose a cranes apprenticeship?

  • Earn while you learn: you’re employed and paid throughout your training, with no student loan.
  • Extra support: training coordination, regular check-ins, learning and wellbeing services.
  • Clear progression: start with Level 3 core skills and progress into Level 4 crane strands over time.
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How it works →

Apprenticeship snapshot

Typical timeframe
1 – 2 years

Qualification levels
Level 3 → 4

YOU’LL LEARN:
Slinging, signalling, safe lifting practice, lift planning basics, equipment checks and documentation.

PROGRESS INTO STRANDS:
Depending on your employer’s work and equipment.

EarnLearn support throughout your apprenticeships

Henry - apprentice

Earn while you learn

Earning while you learn lets you build skills on the job while continuing to earn an income. Apprentices gain practical experience, complete structured training, and work toward a recognised qualification with ongoing support. The result is financial stability, real skills, and strong future career options.

Read Henry's story →
Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
How it works

How Crane apprenticeships works

A clear pathway that combines real work, structured training, and ongoing support.

On-the-job learning

Most of your learning happens at work. You’ll train under experienced supervisors who show you how tasks are done, explain why they are done that way, and make sure safe work practices are followed at all times. As you build experience, you’ll take on more responsibility and develop confidence working with different loads, equipment, and site conditions.

You’ll keep a record of the work you do, either in a work diary or through on-job evidence sheets. This evidence shows what you’ve learned and supports your assessments.

On-the-job learning →
Read Henry's story →

Qualifications and strands

Cranes training is made up of NZQA unit standards, which are small building blocks that make up a full qualification. When you complete the required unit standards, you’re awarded a New Zealand Certificate.

Most apprentices start with the New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 3). This allows you to safely lift and place regular loads in line with your chosen strand, such as Dogman, Truck Loader Crane, or Overhead Crane.

Once Level 3 is completed, many trainees progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 4). Level 4 focuses on specialist crane operator roles and advanced dogman responsibilities. Some apprentices also add extra strands over time to broaden their capability.

Level 3 →
Level 4 →

Assessments and evidence

Assessments confirm that you are competent to perform tasks safely and independently. They are based on the work you do on the job and may include practical observations, written questions, and evidence such as lift plans or checklists.

You’re assessed when you and your assessor agree you’re ready. If your workplace doesn’t cover all the tasks needed for a unit standard, your employer may arrange additional experience so you can meet the requirements.

Assessment results are recorded and reported to NZQA once completed.

How assessments work →

Support and progress check-ins

You’re not left to manage training on your own. An EarnLearn Account Manager supports you and your employer throughout the apprenticeship. They check in regularly, help plan assessments, answer questions, and step in early if anything starts to slow progress.

You’ll also have access to My Portal, where you can view your progress, assessment status, and resources. This keeps expectations clear and helps you stay on track from start to finish.

MyPortal →
Find your Account Manager →

Progression and completion

As you complete unit standards and demonstrate competency, you move steadily toward completion of your qualification. Finishing your apprenticeship confirms that you can work safely, independently, and to industry standards.

Many apprentices continue building their careers by adding further strands, moving into specialist crane roles, or taking on higher responsibility within their company.

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Trainee FAQs →
Get in touch with us →
Strand levels

Choose your pathway

Cranes apprenticeships are structured by level and strand. Your level reflects your stage of training, while your strand defines the type of crane work you are trained and assessed in.

You can add further strands over time as your experience grows.

You are employed and learning at the same time. Most of your learning happens on the job, with assessment and support helping you work towards a recognised qualification.

Cab-controlled overhead crane: Train to operate cab-controlled overhead cranes in industrial environments, with a focus on safe lifting, clear communication, and controlled load movement.

Dogman: Develop core skills in slinging, signalling, and lift control, forming the foundation for many crane operations and future progression.

Pendant-controlled overhead crane: Learn to operate pendant-controlled overhead cranes, focusing on precise control, safe load handling, and clear communication in busy work environments.

Self-erecting tower crane: Build capability in self-erecting tower crane operations, including safe lifting practices, coordination with site teams, and controlled load placement.

Truck loader crane: Train to operate truck loader cranes for loading and placement work, with emphasis on stabilisation, lift planning, and safe work procedures.

You are employed and learning at the same time. Most of your learning happens on the job, with assessment and support helping you work towards a recognised qualification.

Advanced Dogman: Progress dogman skills to support complex lifts, higher-risk environments, and advanced coordination across crane operations.

Crawler crane: Train in crawler crane operations, focusing on safe set-up, load control, and working across varied site conditions.

Mini crane: Develop skills to operate mini cranes in restricted or tight-access environments, with strong emphasis on planning, stability, and precision.

Mobile crane: Progress to mobile crane operations, including safe crane set-up, operational awareness, and controlled lifting under varying site conditions.

Non-slewing articulated crane: Train to operate non-slewing articulated cranes, focusing on safe loading processes, stability management, and controlled placement of loads.

Tower crane: Progress to tower crane operations with a strong focus on lift execution, communication, and managing complex lifting activities on large sites.

Training built around real work

How to start

How to start your Crane Apprenticeships

Understand what your training costs include and how payments work.

01

Check you are suited

Cranes work is hands-on and safety-led. You’ll need to be reliable, calm under pressure, and comfortable working in a team, around heavy equipment, early starts, and live worksites. Basic maths and comfort with heights are important.

02

Prepare your CV

Your CV should show you are work-ready and serious about the industry. Highlight relevant experience such as construction or yard work, machinery or tools, radio communication, and any safety tickets. If you’re new, focus on attitude and reliability.

03

Get hired

Most apprentices start in support roles like dogman, rigger, or yard hand. You’ll learn the basics of lifting gear, slinging and signalling, pre-start checks, and site procedures before stepping into the apprenticeship.

04

Sign your training agreement

Once employed, you, your employer, and EarnLearn agree on a training plan. This confirms what you’ll learn on the job, any off-job learning, how evidence is collected, and when assessments happen.

05

Onboard and start progressing

After inductions, you begin building supervised lifting experience at work. EarnLearn supports you with regular check-ins, assessment planning, and guidance so you stay on track through to completion.

Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
Frequently Asked Questions

Crane apprenticeships FAQs

Understand what your training costs include and how payments work.

A cranes apprenticeship is primarily work-based. You are employed by a crane company and learn on the job under the supervision of experienced operators and site leaders. Most of your learning happens through real lifting work, supported by structured assessment and regular check-ins.

You’ll gather evidence of the tasks you complete, such as lift activities, safety checks, and work processes. When you’re ready, an assessor observes and assesses your work against national unit standards. Training is paced around your workplace exposure, not a fixed classroom schedule.

How the apprenticeship works →
Trainee FAQs →

There is no fixed timeframe. Completion depends on your workplace exposure, how consistently you collect evidence, and how regularly assessments are completed. Apprentices who are well supported at work and stay engaged with their training often progress more smoothly.

EarnLearn works with you and your employer to plan realistic progress milestones and helps remove barriers if training slows down. Staying organised and capturing evidence as you go is key to timely completion.

Cranes apprenticeships are made up of NZQA unit standards that together form a New Zealand Certificate. Most apprentices start at Level 3, which covers foundational crane or dogman skills within a chosen strand.

Many then progress to Level 4, which focuses on advanced or specialist crane operations. Your strand reflects the type of crane work you are trained and assessed in, such as dogman, mobile crane, tower crane, or overhead crane. You can add additional strands over time as your experience grows.

Level 3 →
Level 4 →

Assessments are based on the work you do on the job. Evidence may include observed lift activities, safety checks, lift plans, documentation, and knowledge questions. You are only assessed when you and your assessor agree you are ready.

If your workplace doesn’t naturally cover all requirements for a unit standard, EarnLearn can help plan additional exposure or alternative ways to meet the evidence needs.

How assessments work →

You’re supported throughout the apprenticeship by an EarnLearn Account Manager. They check in regularly with you and your employer, help plan assessments, answer questions, and step in early if any issues arise.

Support is ongoing from sign-up through to completion, ensuring training stays aligned with workplace realities and industry standards.

Learning Support →
Wellbeing Support→
Find your Account Manager→
GET In touch

Start your career in cranes

Starting a cranes apprenticeship is a big decision. Whether you’re just exploring the pathway or already working in the industry, we’re here to help you understand how the apprenticeship works, what’s involved, and what your next step could be.

Understand how a cranes apprenticeship works and what’s expected on the job

Clarify levels, strands, and how progression works over time

Talk through your situation and map out practical next steps

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