Upskilling of Crane Operators

By: Ang Tiong Yeow

Executive Manager
Building & Construction Authority
 CONTENTS
• Upskilling under BCA’s Building Specialist
Sponsorship (crane operations)
 LIFTING OPERATIONS

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

(off-site and automation) (on-site)

Moving work offsite will improve productivity in 3 ways

• Controlled offsite environment
• Automation of offsite work
• Offshoring of offsite work
 LIFTING OPERATIONS

Design for Enhance the

Manufacturing and Lifting Operation
Prefabricated components
competency of
Assembly (DfMA)
Crane Operators
DfMA is one of the key Components can
transformation areas. weigh up to 30 tonne. 1 2

Adequate Adequate
Skills Set Skills
Level

Crane operators to lift heavier elements

 TRAINING NEEDS TO UPSKILL

Operational
Safety

Knowledge training

Effective
Lifting Control
Communication

Precaution before the

actual lifting

Spreader beam used for lifting

 Building Specialist Sponsorship (BSS)

THE BUILDING SPECIALIST SPONSORSHIP

PROGRAMME (Crane)
 Building Specialist Sponsorship (BSS)
AIM
• To attract and upskill more locals in higher value-adding trades in the built
environment
• To increase productivity in built environment sector thru’ a highly skilled workforce

MAIN FEATURES

Structured Attractive Remuneration

On-the-job Training Package

DURATION
• 2(basic) years programme; and/or
• 2(upgrading) years programme
 BSS (Crane Operations) Programme
Vocational Training
• Crane Operation Course
• Can be Crawler, Mobile or Tower Crane (Saddle Jib)

On-The-Job Training at Employer’s site

• Complete specific tasks and clock certain training hours on–the-job
• Verified skills in on-site assessments
• Upgrade through value-adding, advanced or cross-training courses (e.g.
from mobile crane to tower crane operation)
 BSS (Crane Operations) Framework
Current – 2 yrs 2-yrs extension
Incentive of $5,000 to sponsor firm
per sponsored employee per year from BCA (for 2 years)

Paid by BCA Paid by BCA

Pre-
license 1st year 2nd year 1st year 2nd year
Stage $6,000 $9,000 $6,000 $3,000

Min. basic monthly pay Min. basic monthly pay

Tower/Crawler: $2,000 Tower/Crawler: $2,400
Mobile : $2,200 Mobile : $2,500

Stage 2
Stage 1 EXPERIENCED OPERATORS
NEW OPERATORS Enhanced training; or
Basic training cross train in other crane types
 Criteria & Commitments From Firms

Firm type
• Built Environment firm

Mentor
• Assign experienced mentor to the sponsored employee

Sponsor Assessments & Trainings

• Value-added enhanced or Cross Crane Training

Basic Monthly Salaries

• Pay sponsored employee the min. basic monthly pay
On-Job-Training (OJT) & Assessments
• The sponsored employee completes the OJT and all assessments
Criteria for Employee to Be Qualified in Stage 1
Nationality
• Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents

• None, but preferably possess lower secondary qualification

Others
• Physically able to climb the tower crane
• Not suffering from fear of height for those applying to be tower crane operators–
Able to work outdoor, overtime, and over weekends
 Eligibility Criteria (Stage 2) – Candidate
Nationality
• Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents

• None, but preferably possess lower secondary qualification

Valid License
• Possess valid licence of a particular crane operation type and willing to cross train
and operate other crane type
• or licence which has expired for more than 3 years

Experience
• Min of 2 years in crane operations
Others
• Physically able to climb the tower crane
• Not suffering from fear of height
 Crane Sponsorship
Nos. Enrolled in Operators sponsored
Sponsorship (since 2015)
Programme
(as at Sep 2017)
Crane related companies 5 30

Crane operators 14 41
Examples of Crane Sponsorship by Industry
 BCA Contact Details

BCA careers website :

http://www.buildingcareers.gov.sg

Crane sponsorship:
gBCA_Industry_BSS@bca.gov.sg
Crane training:

BCA_Academy@bca.gov.sg
We shape a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment.