SINGAPORE: The crane industry will set up a registry and a one-stop training centre to enhance its image and professionalism.
This is part of efforts to attract more Singaporeans to join the industry as crane operators.
This was announced at the first-ever Crane Carnival. Video
rane operators undergoing training on a crawler crane (left) and mobile crane (right) at the BCA Academy. (File photo)
To become more professional and raise safety standards – these are the broad aims of the Singapore Cranes Association (SCA) and its partners in announcing two initiatives.
One initiative is a one-stop training centre to address gaps in the current decentralised training structure.
The other initiative is a crane operators registry to track safety records and ensure skills are up-to-date.
This comes as cranes become more widely used in the construction industry.
Both the registry and training centre will go online in the next year or two.
The industry says the initiatives are all part of a re-branding rather than any response to recent safety lapses at worksites.
The moves are also to attract more locals to sign up as crane operators.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Hawazi Daipi said: “We must ensure that there is a pipeline of trained, qualified and safety-conscious crane operators.
“The industry must help job-seekers understand the career paths available and the important role crane operators play in the safety of our workplaces and public spaces.”
Starting monthly salaries for crane operators can be as high as S$4,000.
But less than half of the 5,000 or so registered operators are Singaporeans.
This is one reason the association says it will have more events like the Crane Carnival to raise awareness.
At the carnival, the public was given a preview of what it would be like to operate the mega machines. Interested parties were also given the chance to apply for a job.
