Forty years forward: SC&RF achievements keep on coming

Train for the Crane brings hands-on learning to students through SC&RF’s 40 Schools for 40 Years Workforce Challenge. Photo: SC&RA

After four decades of industry investment, Specialized Carriers and Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) continues to build new pathways for the generations to come.

Since 1986 SC&RF has worked to strengthen the crane, rigging and specialized transportation industry through education, research and workforce development.

This year that mission has taken on added significance as the Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary – marking major milestones in scholarships and industry research while launching its 40 Schools for 40 Years Workforce Challenge.

At the same time, SC&RF is expanding its reach through two new Partners in Education organisations – growing the offerings through all organisations to more than US$300,000 in training. The Endowment fund continues to grow to support the Foundation’s work well into the future.

Together, the initiatives reflect both how far the Foundation has come and where it’s headed – continuing to invest in people, knowledge and resources that strengthen the industry for the next generation.

Four decades of work have also produced significant milestones for the Foundation. In 2026, SC&RF surpassed $1 million in scholarships awarded since the programme began, with another $40,000 allocated for awards this year.

Kate Landry Varisco from Deep South Crane & Rigging is SC&RF president. Photo: SC&RA

“Surpassing one million dollars in scholarships awarded and preparing to launch our fortieth research project are milestones worth celebrating,” said Kate Landry Varisco, SC&RF president, with Deep South Crane & Rigging. “But more than anything, they highlight what a great place the Foundation is in as we mark this anniversary.”

To that end, the Foundation’s 40th research project is expected to begin in late November with SC&RF’s third State of the Workforce report. The study will continue SC&RF’s investment in industry-specific research – more than $620,000 to date – designed to benefit SC&RA members and the broader industry.

Over the years that research has supported SC&RA advocacy on issues such as permitting harmonisation and industry education while also producing practical workforce resources, tools and business benchmarks for member companies.

A Boulter Industrial Contractors employee works with students to highlight skilled career opportunities and potential pathways into the industry as part of SC&RA’s 40 Schools for 40 Years Workforce Challenge

Investing in the future

That investment in the future workforce is also at the heart of the Foundation’s 40 Schools for 40 Years Workforce Challenge – an anniversary initiative designed to connect SC&RA member companies with students in their own communities.

The premise is straightforward: students can’t pursue careers they don’t know exist. If they can’t see it – they can’t be it. Through classroom visits, career fairs and company field trips, participating members can introduce students to opportunities in crane, rigging and specialized transport while strengthening relationships with local schools and building potential talent pipelines.

The Foundation’s goal is to support member companies in visiting 40 schools, backed by $20,000 in funding – forty $500 mini-grants will be awarded to the schools visited through the programme. SC&RA members are encouraged to get involved: visit scr-foundation.org/40-schools-workforce-challenge.

Reaching 27 schools already, eleven member companies have joined the effort: Active Crane Rentals Inc; ASC Industries; Bay Crane; Boulter Industrial Contractors, Inc.; Bragg Companies; DICA; Link-Belt Cranes; Means & Methods Engineering LLC; Mid-Continent Crane; Padgett Inc.; and Train for the Crane.

“We’ve already seen the impact – one member company matched the Foundation’s award, giving a rural Kentucky [USA] school a thousand dollars,” noted Landry Varisco. “The school was thrilled to have the additional funding and plans to purchase more hands-on learning tools. Best of all, the students learned about career opportunities in our industry and in their own community.”

Beyond reaching 40 schools, the challenge represents a broader push to put SC&RA members directly in front of the next generation. “Building our industry’s future workforce has to happen at the local level,” she added. “It’s where relationships are built and students and educators can see firsthand the opportunities our industry has to offer.”

SC&RF vice president Cameron Boots, with Gallagher, echoed Landry Varisco, “The milestones we’ve reached this year only add to the momentum. They allow us to keep reaching young people who may not yet know where their careers will take them and introduce them to the range of opportunities available in our industry.

“If we can reach them early enough, provide the right resources and show them a path forward, we really have an opportunity to help shape the next generation of industry professionals.”

Leveraging support

With member participation driving initiatives like the 40 Schools challenge, that same spirit of industry involvement is also expanding the Foundation’s educational assistance efforts. This year, two new SC&RA members – Crane Tech LLC and Kito Crosby – have joined SC&RF’s Partners in Education programme.

Through the programme, participating organisations donate seats in training courses, which the Foundation then awards to individuals pursuing careers in crane, rigging and specialized transport. The effort complements SC&RF’s broader educational assistance programmes, which include an annual investment of $40,000 for scholarships for individuals entering the industry and grants that help member companies offset the cost of training and upskilling employees.

Together, the programmes leverage member support to make industry education and training more accessible – from those just beginning their careers to employees building the skills needed to advance them.

A lasting legacy

Building on those educational opportunities, the Foundation also introduced a new avenue for long-term support in 2026 with the establishment of the James Lomma Legacy Endowment Fund.

Announced at the SC&RA Annual Conference Closing Night Awards Dinner in April, the fund was established by Lomma’s daughter, Jennifer Gabel, with Bay Crane, to honour the memory of an influential industry leader while carrying his values forward to the next generation.

The new endowment adds another dimension to SC&RF’s educational mission – creating a lasting legacy through continued investment in the people who will shape the industry’s future.

Boulter Industrial Contractors gives students a firsthand look at skilled career pathways through the 40 Schools for 40 Years Workforce Challenge

Extending reach: Educator’s Day events

With October representing Careers in Construction Month in the USA, SC&RF is encouraging SC&RA members to lean into many of these workforce initiatives – whether through local school outreach, training opportunities or participation in Foundation programmes designed to connect the industry with its future workforce.

SC&RF has been doing the same throughout 2026. Its Educator’s Day event was held in February at the Specialized Transportation Symposium in Alabama, USA, and again last month at the Crane & Rigging Workshop in Nebraska, USA.

The programme brings local educators together with industry representatives for an overview of crane, rigging and specialized transport careers, including the training and certifications required, what companies look for in new hires and the opportunities available to students.

Company panels and roundtable discussions provide opportunities for direct conversation with educators, while SC&RF presents on the industry and supplies career postcards and flyers they can take back to their schools and classrooms.

Join the SC&RF at national events

Efforts to raise industry awareness continue at the annual FFA (Future Farmers of America) event, 20 to 23 October, in Indiana, USA, and next year at SkillsUSA, 21 to 25 June 2027, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. SC&RF encourages member companies to participate alongside the Foundation – extending the industry’s reach and creating more opportunities to connect directly with the next generation of workers.

“At forty years, I feel like the Foundation is in a great spot,” emphasised Landry Varisco. “We have a focused purpose, great people involved and real momentum behind our work. My hope is that more of our Association and industry will get to know what the Foundation is doing, see where they can make an impact and find ways to get involved.”

For more information, see: www.scr-foundation.org

40 Schools QR code