Industrial jobs need people on the ground, too
The region east and northeast of Austin has become home to semiconductor fabs, an electric vehicle plant and the supplier buildings that grow up around them. Construction on sites like these means steel erection, setting chillers and process equipment, and plenty of picks where the crane operator can't see the load. Someone on the ground has to rig it correctly and someone has to give the signals.
Federal rules for construction cranes (OSHA Subpart CC) call for qualified riggers for many tasks around a suspended load, and for qualified signal persons whenever signals are used. Many general contractors and crane companies go further and ask for NCCCO cards. That's why rigging and signaling courses are often the first thing Pflugerville workers ask about.
Four hours or twenty-eight?
| Level I Rigger/Signal Person 4 Hours | Rigger/Signal Person Certification Level I 28 Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A Miller Crane Works qualification | Preparation for NCCCO Rigger Level I and Signalperson exams |
| Who it suits | Crew members who need a basic qualification quickly | Workers whose employer or site requires NCCCO cards |
| Time in class | Half a day | About three days |
| Tuition | $395 | $2,550 |
The 4-hour course is not an NCCCO certification. If your site safety plan or job posting says "NCCCO," take the 28-hour course.
Moving into the operator seat later
Plenty of riggers decide after a season on the ground that they want to run the crane. Your rigging background helps: you already know load weights, sling angles and the hand signals. A 40-hour fixed/swing cab course can work for someone with some seat time already; true beginners are better served by the 120-hour course. On heavy industrial sites, crawler cranes with lattice booms handle the biggest lifts, and our 40-hour lattice course prepares operators for that NCCCO specialty.
Taking SH 130 north
Pflugerville has an advantage over Austin for this trip: SH 130 runs right along the east side of town. Take it north, toll road and all, until it merges with I-35 above Georgetown, then continue through Waco and onto I-35E at Hillsboro. Take I-20 east on the south side of Dallas and follow the signs to Seagoville. The whole drive is about 190 miles, a little over three hours when traffic cooperates.
That's a long way to drive twice a day, even for a short course, so plan to stay nearby. A 28-hour rigging course is a few nights in a hotel. For crane courses, the premium options include room and board.
Who pays
On industrial projects, employers often cover rigging and signal training for their crews, and a company sending several people can ask about company classes in Seagoville. Individuals can approach their local board: most of Pflugerville is in Travis County (Workforce Solutions Capital Area), while the northern edge is in Williamson County (Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area). GI Bill® benefits apply too. See funding options for details.