What is a Crane Supervisor training?
A crane supervisor course provides the skills and knowledge necessary for a crane supervisor to work at appropriate level of competence, safely and productively, as specified by the CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme).
A crane supervisor is a person responsible for supervising lifting operations and for following the plan prepared by the Appointed Person.
Crane Supervisor Course Details:
The crane supervisors training courses typically take between 4 to 5 days to complete, depending on the candidate’s experience and the pace at which they progress. At CPTS, we offer Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) Crane/Lifting Operations Supervisor courses. Slinger Signaller and Crane Supervisor courses and certification can be usefully combined to provide a broader skill set which will enable you to get more and better paid work involving a variety of operations.
Our crane supervisor course instructors will teach you all the essential skills needed to obtain the CPCS Crane Supervisor red card, required by the vast majority of construction companies.
Training includes the following elements:
- Legislation & codes of practice.
- Roles and responsibilities of the crane supervisor as well as other people involved in lifting operations.
- Cranes types, their characteristics and terminology.
- Lifting accessories and their role.
- Planning and preparing a lifting operation.
- Assessment and examination of lifting equipment.
- Slinging techniques.
- Communication and controlling in lifting operations.
- Hazards in lifting operations.
Completion of the crane supervisor course:
The completed crane supervisor training course ends with a theoretical and practical test. Successful candidates obtain the CPCS Trained Operator crane supervisor card. This is also known as the CPCS red card, and is the first step in accreditation, issued for a non-renewable two-year period.
A more advanced accreditation, the Competent Operator card, also known as the CPCS blue card, can be achieved by gaining 300 hours of experience at work recorded and endorsed in your CPCS logbook and completing the NVQ level 2 assessment within 2 years of the red card issue date. The CPCS blue card is valid for five years and is renewable.
Already have the red card?
Get in touch to find out how we can help you get a crane supervisor CPCS blue card.
FAQ — Crane Supervisor Course (CPCS A62)
What is the Crane Supervisor course and what will I actually learn?
This course trains you to supervise lifting operations safely and legally. Expect practical, no-nonsense coverage of lift planning, exclusion zones, slinging and signalling, crane types and documentation, the role of the appointed person, plus the communication and checks that stop jobs going wrong. It’s about giving you the confidence to manage a lift, not just memorise rules. (Practical course content aligns with CPCS A62 syllabus.)
Do I need experience or any tests before I book?
You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to meet entry checks: most providers expect a current CITB Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) test for supervisors (passed within the last 24 months) and some practical familiarity with lifting operations. In short — come ready to learn, but don’t expect to turn up as a complete newbie without any workplace awareness.
How long is the course and what qualification do I get?
Typical delivery is around four days (commonly three days of training plus the CPCS theory and practical test day), although some centres run a 4-5 day programme depending on candidate experience. On successful completion you get the CPCS Red Trained Operator (Crane Supervisor) card, usually issued for 2 years.
What happens after I get the Red card — how do I become fully competent (Blue)?
The red card is the first, time-limited step. To upgrade to a full CPCS Blue Competent Operator card (valid 5 years) you must complete the relevant NVQ/SVQ (Level 4 Controlling Lifts — Crane Supervision) and demonstrate the required site experience within the two-year window. Training providers commonly offer NVQ routes to help you make the upgrade.
What should I bring, and how can I best prepare?
Bring PPE (hard hat, safety boots, hi-vis), a photo ID, and proof of a current HS&E test. Read any pre-course notes the provider sends, brush up on basic lifting terms (duty charts, SWL, LMI/SLI basics) and be ready to join both classroom discussion and hands-on practicals. Showing up engaged will make the difference.
Where can I do the Crane Supervisor course near me in the UK?
We run regular courses at our training centres (check the CPTS dates) — and we can often run group sessions on client sites across the UK. Typical centre locations we cover include regional hubs such as Peterborough / Wellingborough and nearby towns; if there’s no public date local to you, contact us and we’ll look at forthcoming dates or an on-site option.
To book your crane supervisor training course, or to check current price, click on the most convenient location from the list.
Why should you complete your crane supervisor training with us?
- Professional & friendly instructors will teach you all you need to know to work using a telehandler safely and productively.
- Large training area & modern machinery fleet, to make your training as comfortable and efficient as possible.
- Flexible, individual approach to training.
- No experience necessary: you can start your telehandler training as an absolute beginner. You don’t even need a driving licence.
- Lowest crane supervisor training prices in the UK – guaranteed. If you find the same course cheaper elsewhere, we will match the price.