Registration is now open for Crane Institute Certification's first Regional Crane Operator and Rigger Skills Competition. The Northwest Regional Host, Industrial Training International (ITI), will hold the event at its training headquarters in Woodland, Wash., on Sept. 5, 2014. This is the second year ITI has participated as a regional host and the fourth year of the competition. Other regional events are scheduled to take place from Fall 2014 to Fall 2015 in the Midwest, Southwest, West, Southeast, and Northeast.
According to Bill Schofield, an advisory committee chairperson for CIC, and Peter Cooke, training manager for Columbus McKinnon Corp. and a member of CIC’s Governing Committee, the 2014-2015 competition puts strong emphasis on skill and less on speed. New challenges have also been added.
Last year, crane operators from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho competed at the Northwest event. “We’re looking to attract operators from Western Canada and Northern California also,” said Jonah Hobson, ITI’s marketing manager. Two finalists from the Northwest Regional Skills Competition will win trips to compete in the Championship, which will take place in Fall 2015.
Skills Test
The Crane Operator & Rigger Skills Competition is designed to underscore the need for safe crane operation. The only crane operator recognition program of this scale in North America, the event provides a venue for the best crane operators to set the bar for all crane professionals. New at the Regionals in 2014-2015 is a Rigging Challenge, created by Columbus McKinnon Corp., Amherst, N.Y. The hands-on inspection and selection exercise will require crane operators to determine if rigging gear is acceptable or should be rejected.
The Northwest Regional Crane Operator & Rigger Skills Competition coincides with ITI’s annual trainer professional development and many of ITI’s trainers will be on hand for visitors to meet.
“The Crane Operator and Rigger Skills Competition will serve as the centerpiece of a day filled with activities including, an open house, vendor showcase, and customer and community appreciation,” said Hobson. Several hands-on training workshops will be on display, including three staged accident scenes that ITI uses for its accident investigation courses.
ITI will feature its newest training program, Fundamentals of Rigging Engineering, due to launch in January 2015. Led by a dream team of industry engineers, the program is comprised of 10 courses providing comprehensive introduction to the science and art of engineering behind heavy rigging, lifting, and transport activities.
ITI will also welcome visitors from the Washington State University Business Growth Mentor & Analysis Program. ITI provides mentoring to WSU-Vancouver students looking to gain practical experience in in small businesses.
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