European Crane Operator Licence - khl-wcts. · PDF file European Crane Operator Licence 1. Introduction Confusion Negative impact on safety Prevents the mobility of drivers in Europe

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European Crane Operator Licence

(ECOL)

By Ton Klijn

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Content

1. Introduction

2. Advantages

3. Project status and purpose

4. Project structure

5. Parties involved

6. ECOL in practice

7. Conditions for success

8. Conclusion

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1. Introduction

Confusion

Negative impact on safety

Prevents the mobility of drivers in Europe

(Possible) consequences of current situation:

Current situation:

Each European Member State has its own rules in the field of

professional competence and certification of crane operators.

Result:

Differences in national laws and regulations between

European countries.

Differences in educational requirements.

No clear crane capacity classifications.

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1. Introduction

NCCCO United States

Examples for Europe:

Preferred situation:

Every crane operator in Europe can demonstrate that he or

she meets the minimum requirements of the industry.

Principals and potential employers have a clear

understanding of the experience and skills of every individual

crane operator.

In 2013, ESTA took the initiative to investigate

whether and how a European craft proficiency

certificate for crane operators can be established

for the industry.

CICA Australia

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1. Introduction

From current to preferred situation:

To establish a similar organisation for Europe, the minimum

requirements for safely operating a crane have to be mapped.

Not only the operator’s technical knowledge and skills, but

also the personal skills and attitudinal aspects are

important.

ESTA is convinced that the ECOL system is the right system to achieve the preferred situation.

Current situation

Preferred situation

ECOL Instrument

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2. Advantages

The most important advantages of the ECOL system:

Safety:

Positive impact on overall safety.

Higher safety standards in operations

through Europe.

Increased mobility of qualified personnel within Europe.

Better quality assurance of personnel

(all operators licensed to a minimum standard).

Reduced training and education costs.

Increased effectiveness of industry.

Makes the European crane industry more competitive.

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First draft

The ESTA working group, with users, trainers, unions and

manufacturers from nine European countries represented, has

made a first draft of the standard by analysing and

restructuring the competence schemes and training materials

of the nine participating countries.

Erasmus Plus

ESTA has applied for funding under Erasmus Plus, the new

European funding programme for education, youth and sport (2014-2020).

Purpose::

To complete the full project plan (the route to developing a European proficiency certificate for crane

operators) successfully within three years.

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A first draft of a set of “ learning outcomes” has been

developed.

A ‘generic education design’ has been developed by a

training and education specialist.

Regulations regarding the system are now drawn-up.

Project structure and funding under development

The ESTA General Assembly has taken a decision on the

establishment of an ‘ECOL foundation’ at their autumn

meeting.

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ESTA

ECOL Foundation

Strategic supporting role.

Supervises and monitors the system of education, examination and maintenance.

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Tasks of ESTA

Set the criteria for being a licensed crane operator.

Set the performance indicators for staying a licensed

crane operator.

Tasks of the ECOL Foundation

Sets the criteria for becoming an ECOL-educator and for

becoming an ECOL-examination institution

Auditing training and examination institutes

Issuing of operator certificates

Recognition of existing diplomas

Managing the operators’ register.

Organizing continuous education

Providing the knowledge bank with new content

Important::

Good cooperation and relationships in the field.

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5. Parties involved

Industry: All the companies that employ crane

operators, their clients and crane and

lifting materials suppliers. Together they

determine the job requirements of a crane

operator.

ESTA

Industry Market

ECOL System

ESTA: The organisation responsible for

formulating standards for crane operators

and (within the ECOL foundation) the

conditions for education, validation and

examination.

Market: Those organisations that take care of

education, examination and validation.

Based on the professional standard for

crane operators and the conditions for

good education and good examination,

they can qualify the crane operators.

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6. ECOL in practice

Basic assumptions of the ECOL system:

A multi-stakeholder committee will control the ECOL foundation.

The ECOL foundation will not offer education and will not conduct examinations, but it will validate

the quality of training and examination institutes.

ESTA strives to achieve acceptance in the industry, not to achieve legal recognition.

The licence needs to be in compliance with the EQF system:

the European Professional Qualifications Framework.

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6. ECOL in practice

Crane operator passes exam or

Is assessed based on previous training / experience

Crane operator receives ECOL licence+

Licence will be included in the ECOL register

Follow-up process:

Crane operator needs to keep up to date with changes in the industry and collect (learning) credit

points to maintain his/her registration

2.

3.

1.

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7. Conditions for success

The ECOL system will only be a real success if the following

parties recognize and acknowledge ECOL:

Health and Safety organisations

Government bodies

Labour unions

Industry associations

Cooperative agreements have to be forged in order to make

the system work.

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8. Conclusion

ECOL is a major and ambitious undertaking.

However, ESTA can take advantage of the work already carried

out in the USA and Australia.

ESTA firmly believes that ECOL will both improve safety

and lead to a stronger and more efficient crane industry.

Hence we call upon all industry stakeholders to support

us in our effort to achieve a more comprehensive

industry standard for crane operators.

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Thank you for your attention.

Documents

European Crane Operator Licence - khl-wcts. · PDF file European Crane Operator Licence 1. Introduction Confusion Negative impact on safety Prevents the mobility of drivers in Europe