Lifting technician
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A lifting technician carries out the practical rigging, slinging, and signalling tasks required when lifting and moving heavy loads using cranes and other lifting equipment on construction sites, in manufacturing plants, or at ports. At level 2, apprentices learn to select appropriate lifting accessories, plan simple lifts, and work safely in a team under the direction of an appointed person. The role leads to appointed person or crane supervisor positions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Types of lifting accessories including slings, shackles, hooks, and spreader beams
How to calculate load weights and select appropriate slings for each lift
Industry hand signals and radio communication with crane operators
Relevant legislation including LOLER and site-specific safe lifting rules
Inspection of lifting accessories before use and how to identify defects
Risk assessment for lifting operations in different site environments
How to work as part of a lifting team following the appointed person's lift plan
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Inspect lifting accessories before every lift and remove defective equipment from use
Select appropriate slings and rigging configurations for each specific load
Attach lifting accessories to loads correctly and check that all points are secure
Signal or communicate with crane operators using approved hand signals or radio
Monitor the load during lifting and guide it to the landing point safely
Detach rigging and store accessories correctly after each lift
Complete lifting records and report any near-misses or incidents to the supervisor
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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