Winning strategies for strengthening the workforce

Within today’s fast-changing job market, now more than ever, the traditional approach to workforce development no longer keeps pace. Employers face a perfect storm – the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, shrinking birth rates and a widening gap between the skills young people learn and the ones the industry desperately needs.

A recruitment strategy SC&RF has found success with at SkillsUSA events and Crane & Rigging Workshops is an all-ages interactive booth featuring remote-control cranes and trailers.

For the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF), the mission is clear: strengthen the industry by strengthening its workforce. From research that drives policy and advocacy to scholarships, training grants and on-the-ground outreach at student events, the Foundation is building the pipeline of future talent one initiative at a time.

The message is simple – it takes a village. And with that in mind, SC&RF continues to work with SC&RA members, partners and educators to raise awareness, create opportunity and ultimately bring more people into the crane, rigging and specialized transport sectors.

In 2025, the Foundation’s Workforce Committee has been releasing workforce development tools to assist both their own national efforts at SkillsUSA and FFA, and those of SC&RA member companies engaging in their communities.

One of those resources, the SC&RF Career Pathways site, was launched in March of this year, and has become an indispensable resource for both members and educators alike. It features 21 detailed career profiles – from Mobile Crane Operator and Crane Mechanic to Heavy Haul Truck Driver and Project Manager – each outlining required skills, certifications, responsibilities and even salary expectations.

The site even offers users the opportunity to connect with a company in their area through a company search link – to find the training, apprenticeship programs or discuss open positions.

Targeted resources

“At the end of the day, everything we do is about creating opportunity for the next generation. The more we invest in education, training and resources now, the stronger and more resilient our industry will be for years to come.”  Kate Landry Varisco – SC&RF President, with Deep South Crane & Rigging.

SC&RF also created a key resource this year for educators with the CTE (Career Technical Education) Pathways Flyer. Designed as a quick reference, the flyer outlines careers in the industry and explains what career clusters (such as heavy equipment, mechanics or welding) offer transferable skills into this industry.

“The flyer was designed to be a starting point for industry and educators.,” said Jackie Roskos, SC&RF Director. “It connects the dots for educators from what they are teaching in their ‘career cluster’ to how students can begin a career in crane, rigging and specialized transport – and it puts students on a path to discover scholarships, training programs and real career opportunities in the industry.”

Similarly, a series of “Career Post Cards” and standard letter-size fliers were created this year, designed as quick, engaging resources for students, educators and employers alike. Each card spotlights a specific career path – from crane operator and rigger to diesel mechanic and SPMT driver – outlining the skills, training requirements and earning potential that come with the role.

The fliers are available as a download and go a step further by including a section where companies can add their own information, making them an ideal printed flyer for job fairs, school visits and recruitment events. Together, these resources provide a convenient way for members to start conversations and showcase opportunities when working with their local communities.

On-demand value

SC&RF’s library of on-demand webinars remains one of its most practical resources for members looking to sharpen their workforce strategies. Each quarter, the Foundation hosts sessions designed to address real-world challenges and opportunities in recruitment, retention and talent development.

The SC&RF Career Pathways site, launched in March of this year, features 21 detailed career profiles – from Mobile Crane Operator and Crane Mechanic to Heavy Haul Truck Driver and Project Manager – each outlining required skills, certifications, responsibilities and even salary expectations.

The next installment arrives this month with the Q4 Workforce Ambassador Webinar: Building a Standout Brand to Attract the Next Generation Workforce. This session will dive into what makes a brand stand out, how to define and communicate a compelling value proposition and how to identify the most effective channels to tell your story. The webinar features Erin Haines, Digital Strategist, and Susan Iris, Brand Strategist, at The Studio by Navigate.

“These webinars are about giving our members real, actionable tools they can put to work immediately,” said Roskos. “Many of the companies in the industry are building strong pipelines in preparation for a sustainable industry and they are generously willing to share what has been successful for them. Webinars like this one provide invaluable information, with the opportunity for networking and questions.”

SC&RA members are encouraged to explore SC&RF’s growing webinar archive, which offers a library of past sessions on best practices in recruitment, how to partner with a CTE educator, classroom visits and even how to host a small-scale Lift & Move – a valuable, on-demand resource for anyone looking to strengthen their talent pipeline.

United effort

Under the educational assistance area, SC&RF’s Company Training Grant remains available in 2025 for members looking to offset the costs of workforce training. With $12,000 still available and applications accepted on a rolling basis, the program helps companies invest in developing the skills and readiness of their teams. It’s a straightforward way for members to strengthen internal training efforts while directly benefiting from the Foundation’s mission to grow industry talent. Members are encouraged to find out more and apply!

On the research front, the 2025 State of the Workforce Report was released in late September. It reinforced both the urgency and opportunity facing the industry. Succession planning remains a critical concern, with more than two-thirds of executive roles held by employees 55 and older. At the same time, the pipeline of younger workers is thin – as many as 100 percent of organizations report fewer than 10 percent of executives, managers and support staff are under 30. Even manual labor roles face gaps of 25–69 percent in young talent.

Recruitment methods have shifted, too. Employee referrals now account for nearly half of new hires, while reliance on jobsites has dropped sharply – underscoring the need for fresh approaches to reach the next generation. High school education paired with industry certifications has become the most common entry point, while union training continues to decline, especially in crane operations.

The takeaway is clear: the industry must commit to succession planning, creative recruitment and training strategies, and a united effort to build a workforce that can sustain growth for decades to come.

“At the end of the day, everything we do is about creating opportunity for the next generation,” added Kate Landry Varisco – SC&RF President, with Deep South Crane & Rigging. “The more we invest in education, training and resources now, the stronger and more resilient our industry will be for years to come.” 

For more information, visit www.scr-foundation.org.