NCCCO Foundation launches workforce recruitment playbook

The NCCCO Foundation has launched a new recruitment playbook aimed at helping employers across the crane industry adopt more structured, scalable approaches to workforce development.

A new NCCCO Foundation playbook offers research-backed tools and targeted strategies to help crane industry employers attract and recruit the next generation of operators.

Developed in collaboration with communications and consulting firm SmallBox, the playbook is designed to move recruitment efforts beyond traditional word-of-mouth methods toward more targeted, long-term strategies. The resource draws on industry research, operator feedback and real-world testing to provide a practical framework for expanding outreach while maintaining the profession’s standards and expectations.

Rather than focusing solely on credentials or job titles, the playbook emphasizes key traits commonly associated with successful crane operators, including problem solving, focus, accountability and attention to detail. It also outlines tailored recruitment strategies for specific audiences, including women entering the trades, commercial truck drivers with CDLs and construction workers seeking career transitions.

“The playbook is a first for the crane industry by providing not only well-founded and tested strategies for recruiting quality employees, but also sharing free messaging, images and videos to implement the strategy,” said T.J. Cantwell, executive director, NCCCO Foundation. “It’s intended for anyone recruiting for the crane industry including contractors, crane companies, training providers, unions and other workforce partners.”

The playbook is available as a free download through the NCCCO Foundation’s workforce awareness platform, My Crane Career.