Training

Americas training

In the Americas region, we offer a range of courses to ensure the competence of your personnel for onshore and offshore crane, lifting, hydraulics, inspection, and wind operations.

Delivered by our experienced instructors, our courses are available across the United States, Guyana, Trinidad and Brazil as well as at client locations and offshore.

The courses below are just some of the training options available – see the Americas training courses list or Brazil training course list for our full offering. Some courses are open for regular enrolment, others are run on request, and if you can't see what you're looking for we also offer bespoke training to suit your exact needs.

Pricing and booking inquiries for all our courses in Americas can be made through Sheila Deroche on +1 985 873 7969 or SparrowsUSTraining@altrad.com

Crane Operator, Rigger and Crane Inspector Training in accordance with API RP 2D

These courses have been developed for personnel involved in crane operations, rigging and/or inspecting of cranes in the offshore environment. They follow the guidelines as found in API RP 2D2. Each course consists of classroom discussions, theoretical testing, classroom exercises and practical hands-on training. Our courses are delivered by experienced instructors with lifting and hoisting experience. Upon completion of the course, students will gain valuable knowledge and skills to ensure safer lifting operations as well as maintain compliance for their role.

API-U crane operator, rigger and crane inspector also available upon request.

Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard

Stage 1, 2 and 3

The Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard follows a stepped progression route, combining formal and practical training with the theory of safe crane operations. Workplace development is also required under the supervision of a competent crane operator where the trainee mush log evidence of lifting operations, dependent on their phase of development.

Established more than 30 years ago, our Offshore Crane Operator Standard is recognised as industry-leading and sought after across the world.

Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard Stage 3 re-assessment

This assessment is suitable for personnel who hold a recognized and valid Stage 3 qualification gained at an offshore workplace. Evidence of Stage 3 certification is required and will be validated before re-assessment goes ahead. The assessment validates ongoing competence and ensures delegates meet the required standards for safe offshore crane operations.

Completion of the re-assessments issues delegates with a certificate for Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard Stage 3 which is valid for two years. The re-assessment must be completed on a two-yearly basis to ensure ongoing competence.

Crane simulator

Our mobile offshore crane operations simulator is used for Stage 3 re-assessments and reaction and awareness training. It can be used at our dedicated facility or transported to client locations.

Our crane simulator can be set in accordance with client platform requirements in a 3D work environment, To ensure the most realistic simulation is available, the following factors can be set and altered during training and assessment:

  • Dynamic asset movements
  • Weather
  • Sea state
  • Deck layout configurations
  • Scene collisions
  • Equipment failures

The increase in difficulty and random failure elements during the use of the crane simulator strengthens candidate’s responses, reactions, and overall competency.

Crane and Lifting Coaching Services

Our independent and unbiased specialist coaching can help your teams improve overall safety culture, strengthen working practices, improve individual knowledge and understanding, and optimize team communication.

Deploying our coaches to your asset, we can carry out a review of the crew and working practices, and make recommendations based on the findings. During the review period, coaches will also be on hand on the deck with the crews to provide expertise in rigging and lifting operations. Interacting with the crews on a daily basis, our coaches provide positive feedback on positive actions and provide alternative solutions to areas that need improvement.

Technical training

Hydraulics

Our integrated fluid power systems and controls training ensures that your hydraulics specialists are trained to the highest standards.

You can be assured that your team are experts in their field and competent to carry out a range of integrated workscopes.

Level 1 Foundational Hydraulics

Duration – 3 days

This course is suitable for anyone involved in the maintenance and operation of fluid power systems.

The course covers:

  • Basic hydraulic principles
  • Hydraulic symbols and notation
  • Pressure, flow and direction control valves
  • Hydraulic pumps
  • Hydraulic oils and contamination control
  • Introduction to accumulators
  • Introduction to proportional control
  • Basic electrical theory
  • Practical exercises
  • Health and safety

Level 2 Intermediate Hydraulics

Duration – 4 days

Anyone with a Level 1 qualification who is a plan manager, engineer, technician, or craftsman involved in the maintenance and management of fluid power systems should attend this course.

The course covers:

  • Pumps and associated control systems
  • Relief and unloader valves
  • Installation and commissioning procedures
  • Causes of pump failures
  • Health and performance monitoring
  • Control valves – pressure, flow, and direction
  • Valve sizing and performance
  • Proportional control
  • Practical hydraulics
  • Logical troubleshooting techniques

Basic Electrical

Duration – 3 days

  • Electrical Wiring Training System
  • Electrical Controls Training System
  • Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) Training System
  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) Training System
  • Safety Lock-Out Tag-Out Training System

NCCCO training

We now offer a selection of preparatory courses for students working in onshore and industrial sectors who are seeking the nationally accredited NCCCO certification. All the courses help students prepare for the NCCCO theoretical and practical testing.

NCCCO Rigger Level 1 Preparatory course and testing

Duration – 1.5 days

The course covers:

  • General rigging
  • Configuration
  • Inspection
  • Rigging hitches
  • Basic knots
  • Rigging calculations

NCCCO Signal person Preparatory course and training

Duration – 1.5 days

The course covers:

  • Type of signals
  • Operations and limits of equipment, including crane functions and boom deflection

NCCCO Crane Operator Preparatory course and testing

Duration – 5 days

Telescopic boom - fixed cab (TSS)
Telescopic boom - swing cab (TLL)
Lattice boom cranes (LAT)

The course covers:

  • Site preparation
  • Operations
  • Load charts
  • Basic math

NCCCO New Mobile Crane Operator course

Duration – 10 days

The course provides practical exercises as well as theoretical training.

Global Wind Organisation (GWO)

At our Houma, Louisiana, facility we offer Global Wind Organisation (GWO) courses specifically for the wind industry through our renewables business, Altrad Alpha Wind Services.

The center comprises a 25ft specially designed tower for the practical elements of the training. Four courses are offered in Houma:

  • Basic Safety Training
  • Advanced Rescue Training
  • Crane and Hoist Basic User
  • Slinger Signaller

Why GWO?
GWO is a non-profit body founded by wind turbine manufacturers and owners. It sets out common, international standards for safety training and emergency procedures which is rapidly becoming the preferred standard in the USA and across the world. Operators used to have their own standards and companies had to train personnel in multiple ways but GWO has created a standardized process that the global wind energy industry is quickly adopting. It gives operators and OEMs confidence that technicians are trained to the highest standard.

Basic safety training (BST)

Our four GWO BST courses are delivered together as a group over four days, or we can provide each one individually where required. All the modules include theoretical and practical instruction to equip delegates to work safely in the field:

  • First Aid
  • Manual Handling
  • Fire Awareness
  • Working at Heights

Crane and Hoist Basic User (CHBU)

Duration – 1.5 days

The course places emphasis on safety awareness and the proper operation of cranes and hoists in service operations.

Participants acquire essential skills, including basic lift planning, risk assessment, proper usage, pre-use inspections, and an understanding of legal requirements related to lifting and hoisting.

Advanced Rescue Training (ART)

Duration – 3 days

This course focuses on the aspects of a rescue in a wind turbine including access, patient packaging, and communication for an injured person from the basement, tower, nacelle, hub and blades. Upon completion of ART, participants will have the knowledge required to access and rescue an injured person from almost any area of a wind turbine.

The GWO ART is divided into the following four modules:

  • Hub, spinner and inside blade rescue
  • Nacelle, tower, and basement rescue
  • Single rescuer: Hub, spinner and inside blade rescue
  • Single rescuer: Nacelle, tower and basement rescue

Slinger signaller (SLS)

Duration – 1.5 days

Delegates will become aware of and learn to control and mitigate the risks and hazards encountered when working with slinger signalling in the wind industry.

The slinger signaller training will teach the participants to appropriately respond in the event of a hazardous situation and to increase their safety through proper use of personal protective equipment, emergency equipment, and procedures.

More information on our activity in the wind sector is available on the Altrad Alpha Wind Services website.

Custom courses

For those needing more than conventional courses, Altrad Sparrows can customize your training courses to fit your needs.

  • Regulatory standards or RPs covered
  • Add your lifting and hoisting policies
    • Embedded in various sections of theoretical sessions
    • Written test questions added per your L&H policy
  • Designed around the equipment used at your facility (site visit required)
    • Specific equipment characteristics per model number
    • Load charts
  • Location specifics added
    • Obstructions
    • Loading area hazards
    • Ground obstructions
    • Power lines

Pricing and booking inquiries for all our courses in Americas can be made through Sheila Deroche on +1 936 331 3798 or training.us@sparrowsgroup.com

Course list A-Z
API Rigging with General Lifting Appliances
API-U Crane Inspector
API-U Crane Operator
API-U Rigger
Basic Electrical
Basic Mobile Crane Operator
Basic Rigging
Confined Space (Entrant, Attendant, and Rescue)
Dock Cranes
DROPS
Fall Protection – Competent Person
Fall Protection – User / Rescue
First Aid – CPR / AED
GWO Advanced Rescue Training (ART)
GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)
GWO Crane and Hoist Basic User (CHBU)
GWO Slinger Signaler (SLS)
Hydraulics 1
Hydraulics 2
Incipient Fire
Lifting Operations / Lift Crew Coaching
Mobile Crane Practical Coaching
NCCCO Crane Operator Preparatory Course & Testing
NCCCO New Mobile Crane Operator
NCCCO Rigger Level 1 Preparatory Course & Testing
NCCCO Signal Person Preparatory Course & Testing
Offshore Crane Inspector – API RP2D 7th
Offshore Crane Operator / Rigger – API RP2D 7th
Offshore Crane Operator Coaching
Powered Industrial Truck (Forklift)
Powered Overhead Crane Inspector
Powered Overhead Crane Operator
Rigging Gear Inspector
Skid Steer
Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator
Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard Stage 1
Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard Stage 2
Standard Stage 3 re-assessment
Wire Rope Inspection
Course list A-Z
Basic Crane Maintenance
Basic Load Handling NR34 or NR37
Confined Space NR33
Forklift Operation
NR 34 – Hot Work Safety Training - Observer, General Module, Torch, Welding, and Portable Machines Activities
NR 34 Hot Work Observer
NR 37 Advanced Health and Safety
NR 37 Basic Health and Safety
Offshore Crane Operator Stage 1
Offshore Crane Operator Stage 2
Offshore Crane Operator Stage 3 First Certification Onboard
Offshore Knuckle Boom Crane Operator
Offshore Operator Stage 3 Reassessment in Simulator
Overhead Crane Operator
Scaffolding Assembly NR 34/NR18
Scaffolding Assembly Supervision NR 34/NR18
Supplementary Training for Lifting Equipment Operators NR34
Wire Rope and lifting equipment Inspection
Working at Heights NR35