A novice operator is someone who wishes to be trained as an operator but has no previous experience in this field and does not hold a crane operator licence.
General requirements
A candidate operator who opts for an ECOL licence must be:
- 18 years or older
- medically fit according to truck driver licence regulations, with unimpeded hearing capabilities
- in possession of a truck drivers (C-class) licence
Training requirements
If you are a novice operator, you must complete the full ECOL training programme at an ECOL certified training institute before you can take the examination. You can follow the ECOL training and examination in English or in your national language, provided there is a training institute in your country. Students taking the course (and examination) in their national language will be required to take a language test to demonstrate that they have a minimum level of English. This knowledge is necessary for communication at international job sites and communication with the ECOL organisation/ ECTOL Foundation.
Training setup
The ECOL training consists of a theoretical and a practical part, both of which must have a minimum duration of 120 hours. The theoretical training is given in a classroom setting where there can be interaction between students. The ECOL standard is a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 students per teacher.
Currently, there are two types of practical training programmes: school-based training and in-company training.
School training: The practical training is carried out in a school environment using a modern mobile crane and with two students supervised by one teacher. The students alternate as crane operator and rigger during the practical training. The duration of the training is 120 hours.
In-company training: The practical training takes place during an “apprentice programme” in a company. The apprenticeship programme and the company must meet the requirements of the ECOL standard and a logbook must be kept during the practical training to record the tasks carried out.
The mandatory documented minimum period of in-company training is 240 hours and the in-company trainers or mentors of the apprentice should themselves hold an ECOL licence. The on-the-job training ends with a 40-hour practical final course in a school environment.