How To Become a Professional Crane Operator as a Woman In Trades with Tiffany Eckard ~Hands-On Heroes Ep 7
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie Crafton29 Tammi

How To Become a Professional Crane Operator as a Woman In Trades with Tiffany Eckard ~Hands-On Heroes Ep 7

Thinking about a career in crane operation? Professional Crane Operator, Tiffany Eckard shares why starting as an oiler apprentice might be your best move.

An oiler apprenticeship isn't just an entry point—it's a strategic foundation for a long-term career in heavy equipment operation. While you're maintaining and servicing cranes, you're actually getting paid to learn from experienced operators, understanding the machinery from the ground up.

What makes the oiler role so valuable:

You gain hands-on knowledge of crane mechanics, hydraulics, and safety systems before you ever touch the controls. You build relationships with experienced operators who become mentors. You develop the situational awareness and safety mindset that's critical in this field. You're earning while you're learning, with a clear path to operator certification.

Many of today's master crane operators started exactly here—greasing cables, checking fluid levels, and asking questions. They understood that you can't safely operate what you don't understand.

If you're looking for a skilled trade with strong earning potential and job security, the crane industry is hiring. And the apprenticeship path remains one of the most reliable ways to build a successful career.


With host Valerie Crafton, she also shares what she loves most about being a crane operator.

At Hands-On Heroes, we are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of builders, makers, and doers. Through storytelling and STEM education, we promote the skilled trades and empower children to explore their potential.Thank you Mod42 for being our title sponsor!


Learn more about Hands-On Heroes: https://handsonheroes.net/

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(46)

The Future of Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes EP 15 LIVE at Advancing Data Center Construction Conference 2026

The Future of Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes EP 15 LIVE at Advancing Data Center Construction Conference 2026

The future of construction starts here at the advancing data center construction conference on Ep 15 of Hands-On Heroes. Learn more about Hands-On Heroes and their mission: https://handsonheroes.net/I...

4 Kesä 51min

Hands-On Heroes Day in the Life Ep.2 Heavy Equipment Operator

Hands-On Heroes Day in the Life Ep.2 Heavy Equipment Operator

Have you ever watched a giant machine move mountains and wondered — who's behind the controls?In Episode 2 of the Hands-On Heroes Day In The Life Series, we go inside the world of Heavy Equipment Oper...

21 Touko 11min

More Than a Title — Grace Vanderhei on Nuclear Energy, Authenticity, and Daring to Be Whole ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep14

More Than a Title — Grace Vanderhei on Nuclear Energy, Authenticity, and Daring to Be Whole ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep14

What does it mean to be more than what people expect you to be?In this episode, host Valerie Crafton sits down with Grace Vanderhei — Nuclear Fuels Engineer and Clean Energy Advocate at Constellation,...

7 Touko 40min

Trade Workforce Shortage: What’s Really Going On? | Real Answers from the Golf Course

Trade Workforce Shortage: What’s Really Going On? | Real Answers from the Golf Course

What’s behind the workforce shortage and when should we start talking about it? Thank you to 7x24 for having a golf scramble that Hands-On Heroes benefited from!In this episode of Hands On Heroes, we ...

28 Huhti 2min

From Classroom to Engineering Careers ~ Hands-On Heroes EP13 w/Instructors & Students

From Classroom to Engineering Careers ~ Hands-On Heroes EP13 w/Instructors & Students

In this special multi-guest episode of Hands-On Heroes, we explore engineering and data center careers through conversations with both students and instructors across the Valley. Filmed at Mesa Commun...

23 Huhti 2h 20min

From Blueprint to Reality: Clean Energy, AI, and the People Connecting the Dots ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep12 w/ Julia Weigel

From Blueprint to Reality: Clean Energy, AI, and the People Connecting the Dots ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep12 w/ Julia Weigel

What does it take to turn a complex clean energy idea into something that actually gets built? In this episode, host Valerie Crafton sits down with Julia Weigel — Founder and Principal of Plexura Advi...

9 Huhti 32min

Tehran to Tech: A Refugee's Journey to Senior Program Manager at Microsoft ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep11 w/ Donya Ziraksari

Tehran to Tech: A Refugee's Journey to Senior Program Manager at Microsoft ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep11 w/ Donya Ziraksari

In this episode of Hands On Heroes, Valerie sits down with Donya Ziraksari, a mechanical engineer and senior technical program manager at Microsoft, whose life story is anything but ordinary. Donya sh...

26 Maalis 1h 18min

Why Awareness Matters ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep10 w/ Bronwyn Beabeau & Maureen Noe

Why Awareness Matters ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep10 w/ Bronwyn Beabeau & Maureen Noe

What does it take to build a better future for children in foster care — and what role can the skilled trades play in getting them there?In this episode of Hands-On Heroes, host Valerie Crafton welcom...

12 Maalis 38min