27.01.2015

NCCCO celebrates 20 Years

The USA's National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its nationally accredited personnel certification programmes.

NCCCO was established in January 1995 as an independent, not for profit company dedicated to the certification of those working with cranes. It followed efforts by a group of industry volunteers over many years to improve the safety of lifting operations.

The aim of the company was to develop and administer a national programme for the certification of crane operators and related personnel. Since then it has certified more than 110,000 individuals through over 875,000 nationally accredited written and practical examinations, and issued more than 280,000 certifications, representing over 20 certification designations, in all 50 states.

NCCCO president Thom Sicklesteel said: “Over the past two decades, CCO certification has made an indelible contribution to crane safety by establishing a national benchmark of the knowledge and skills needed to operate cranes. CCO certification, without question, is one of the most powerful tools available to an employer in ensuring only qualified personnel work with and around cranes.”

NCCCO chief executive Graham Brent added: “NCCCO is preparing a slate of activities and announcements as part of a special 20th Anniversary. We want to be sure that we recognise this historic milestone appropriately. There is a tremendous amount that administering almost one million examinations can tell us, and we are excited about sharing that information with the industry, as well as outlining the role we believe professional certification can play in addressing such issues as the nation’s skills shortage.”

Vice president, Kerry Hulse who was chairman of the original Certification Task Force established by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) that led to the formation of NCCCO said: “It has been a remarkable journey one that has far exceeded the expectations of those who contributed their time and expertise to this effort. That initial group of industry volunteers had one simple goal: To make this industry a safer place in which to work. And all the evidence is that they have achieved that.”
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