SC&RA Foundation Special Report: Scouting talent

SC&RF’s Workforce Ambassador Program – part of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Assocation (SC&RA) – is an expanding effort to strengthen awareness, outreach and long-term talent development across the USA.

Launched in 2023, the program was designed to encourage SC&RA member companies to engage with schools, career fairs, workforce programs and local communities to help build the next generation of skilled workers entering the trades. 

In 2026, SC&RF recognized four USA companies across small, medium, large and Allied/OEM categories for the workforce outreach: Boulter Industrial Contractors (New York), Ideal Crane Rental (Wisconsin), Buchanan Hauling & Rigging (Indiana) and Train for the Crane (Indiana).

Making an impact in education

Providing unique experiences – like running this crane simulator from Ideal – can be immensely beneficial to workforce development.

For Boulter Industrial Contractors, workforce development has evolved into something much larger than recruitment alone – it’s become part of the company’s identity. Receiving the Workforce Ambassador Award validates that the company’s long-term investment in outreach and relationship-building is making an impact, said Boulter’s Brittany Bachman.

“This award isn’t a finish line,” she said. “We may be a smaller rigging company in Western New York, but our impact extends far beyond our size.”

One of the company’s most effective workforce strategies has been developing direct relationships with educators and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout the region.

“Most of our internship success has come from those ongoing relationships with the schools themselves,” she explained.

Boulter creates opportunities through internships, classroom presentations, facility tours and continued engagement with local technical programs.

“Our industry has to do a better job of raising awareness about the skilled trades,” Bachman said. “If we want to sustain growth and keep the industry moving, workforce development can no longer be an afterthought.”

Long-term investment in workforce development

A toddler gets hands-on with an Ideal crane at a community event.

At Ideal Crane Rental, workforce development is viewed as a long-term investment that begins well before someone enters the workforce. Winning the SC&RF award reflects a broader commitment to helping build and sustain the next generation of skilled workers, said Ideal’s Kristin Chose.

“This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering a skilled workforce, which is essential for building a strong and sustainable future,” Chose said.

Ideal’s approach focuses heavily on early engagement, including reaching elementary school students, while supporting technical education and workforce training opportunities.

“We believe in engaging kids early in educational settings, while also providing hands-on experiences and resources that pave the way for successful careers in the construction industry,” she said.

In its community, Ideal serves as a founding organization and board member of Kids Building Wisconsin, an annual workforce-focused event that attracts more than 12,000 attendees and features dozens of interactive exhibits highlighting careers in construction and the skilled trades.

Additional community contributions include participation in Touch-a-Truck programs, the Wisconsin DOT Construction Skills Training Program and support of local Boys and Girls Club projects and initiatives.

Improving perceptions of the crane and transport industries

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging President John Vaugn shakes hands with students. Photo: Buchanan

According to Buchanan Hauling & Rigging’s Amy McNamara, workforce development is viewed as a long-term commitment tied directly to the company’s future growth and operational success.

Receiving the Workforce Ambassador Award shows the company’s continued investment in building sustainable career paths is paying off.

“It’s a meaningful validation of the work we’re doing to invest in people, not just positions,” McNamara said.

Buchanan’s workforce strategy centers on a proactive, relationship-driven approach designed to create awareness around industry careers and strengthen retention and leadership development.

“We don’t wait for talent to find us – we go out and build it. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations and industry groups, we’re creating awareness around heavy haul careers and providing real exposure to the work.”

Leadership development, accountability and clearly defined career paths all play a role in helping employees grow within the organization.

And workforce development has become increasingly urgent as the transportation and heavy haul sectors face critical labor shortages.

“The industry can’t afford to be reactive – we have to be intentional about attracting, training and retaining talent,” McNamara said. “We need to build clearer entry points and show people there’s a real future in this field.”

Teaching essential skills

Train for the Crane started hosting crane and rigging competitions to help showcase operator skills.

For Train for the Crane owner Meagen Kehrt, receiving the award confirmed that their workforce development efforts are making a difference.

“We’ve said yes to so many opportunities, visited so many schools and spent a tremendous amount of time trying to connect with people entering the industry,” she said.

One of the company’s biggest workforce strategies has been modernizing how it connects with younger generations, particularly through social media and community outreach.

“We really focused on asking: who are we trying to reach and how do they want to be reached?” she explained. “Students want to see people who look and talk like them, so we started putting our operators and field personnel front and center through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Reels and YouTube.”

Train for the Crane expanded its school engagement efforts, targeting career fairs, mock interviews, classroom visits and technical education programs throughout the year.

“Sending the right people is critical,” Kehrt said. “Send someone who believes in the industry and can genuinely explain why it’s a great opportunity.”

The company has also begun hosting crane and rigging competitions to help students showcase their skills directly in front of employers.

Part of Boulter’s workforce development strategy includes hands-on development.

Kehrt added, “A big part of the effort has been changing the narrative for students. This isn’t a fallback option. It’s an opportunity to build a real career, make a strong living and support a family without coming out of school buried in debt.”

Equally important, Kehrt believes the human element of the trades will remain essential moving forward.

“Technology can support the work, but the people doing the work are still absolutely critical. I think younger generations are starting to recognize the value in that.”