Cranes Employers
Support your team with training that’s built for the job
Cranes apprenticeships

Expand your workforce of
qualified crane operators

Build capability in your business with a structured crane apprenticeship pathway. EarnLearn supports you to train safe, competent operators on real worksites, while we manage the training framework, assessments, and compliance behind the scenes.

  • Safety-first skills: Operators build lifting, site, and compliance capability on real worksites.
  • Clear progression: Start with core crane skills and progress through recognised crane strands.
  • Employer-backed support: EarnLearn manages training, assessments, and check-ins to keep apprentices on track.
Fees & funding →
How it works →

Employer snapshot

WHAT YOU'LL GET
Training coordination, assessment support, progress check-ins, and clear expectations for both you and your apprentice.

WHAT AFFECTS YOUR COST
Paid hours, supervision time, training time away from the workplace, programme fees, and any funding your apprentice may be eligible for.

Looking to hire?
Use our EarnLearn TradeMatch to find staff who are keen to train up.

How it works

How crane training works

A practical pathway that builds safe, work-ready crane operators while EarnLearn manages the training, assessments, and compliance.

Work-ready training on your sites

Your apprentice is employed in your business and learns on real worksites under your supervision. They build lifting skills, site awareness, and safe work practices while contributing to day-to-day operations.

EarnLearn supports this with a clear training plan aligned to your equipment, workloads, and safety requirements.

See the pathway →

Qualifications and strands

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

Most apprentices start with the New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 3). This allows apprentices to safely lift and place regular loads in line with their chosen strands, 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 →

Practical assessments with minimal disruption

Assessments are completed using real-world evidence from day-to-day work, including lifts, site tasks, and operational activities. EarnLearn coordinates assessments and moderation, reducing paperwork and disruption for your team.

This ensures assessments are compliant, relevant, and reflective of real performance on your sites.

How assessments work →

Ongoing oversight and employer support

EarnLearn stays actively involved throughout the apprenticeship, with regular progress check-ins to monitor development, address any challenges early, and keep training aligned with workplace expectations.

You’ll have clear visibility of progress, upcoming requirements, and any actions needed, giving you confidence that training remains on track and compliant.

MyPortal →
Find your Account Manager →

From apprentice to qualified operator

As apprentices complete their training and assessments, they move toward full qualification and readiness for higher responsibility roles within your business. By completion, they are familiar with your systems, equipment, and safety culture.

The outcome is a qualified crane operator who is productive, site-aware, and already embedded in your team.

Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
Strand levels

Pathways for apprentices

Crane apprenticeships are structured by level and strand, giving you control over how operator capability is built within your workforce. The level reflects the stage of training, while the strand defines the type of crane work your apprentice is trained and assessed in.

This structure allows you to align training with your current fleet, site requirements, and future demand. Additional strands can be added over time as your apprentice gains experience and your operational needs evolve.

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.

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.

Cost of an apprentice

Curious how much an apprentice will cost you?

Understanding the true cost of employing an apprentice is key to workforce planning. Training fees, paid hours, supervision time, and potential funding all play a role, and the numbers can vary depending on your business and the stage of training.

We’ll help you understand what applies to you, outline likely costs, and explain what funding or support may be available, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

Use our calculator →

Training built around real work

Frequently Asked Questions

Crane operator employer FAQs

Understand what your training costs include and how payments work.

The cost of employing a crane apprentice includes paid wages, supervision time, training time away from site, and programme fees. Costs vary depending on the apprentice’s stage, strand, and any funding they may be eligible for.

EarnLearn helps you understand the full picture upfront, so there are no surprises as training progresses.

How the apprenticeship works →
Fees & Funding for employers →

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 →

Apprentices must work under appropriate supervision, particularly in the early stages of training. As competence and experience grow, supervision requirements reduce and apprentices can take on more responsibility.

EarnLearn helps set clear expectations so supervision aligns with safety requirements without placing unnecessary strain on your operators.

How assessments work →

EarnLearn manages the training framework, assessments, moderation, and progress tracking. We stay in regular contact, address issues early, and provide clear visibility of progress and next steps.

You get a single point of contact and confidence that training remains compliant and on track.

Learning Support →
Wellbeing Support→
Find your Account Manager→

Crane apprenticeships follow nationally recognised qualifications and crane strands. Apprentices start with core crane or dogman skills and can progress into additional strands as their experience and your business needs grow.

This gives you flexibility to build capability across your fleet over time.

GET In touch

Talk to us about expanding your crane workforce

Whether you’re planning to take on your first apprentice or looking to build long-term lifting capability, we’ll help you confirm the right crane qualifications, strands, and training approach for your business.

Our team will guide you through costs, funding, and training requirements, and map out a clear pathway that works for your sites, equipment, and safety obligations.

Confirm the right crane qualification and strand(s

Understand assessment, evidence, and competency sign-off requirements

Put a clear training plan in place

Send an enquiry

Share a few details and we will point you to the right next step.

If you’re an employer, please include how many apprentices you’re considering and the type of crane work involved.

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