Training

Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Standard training

Recognised as industry best practice worldwide

Altrad Sparrows has unrivalled experience providing offshore crane operator standard training, coaching and competence assessment to the energy industry. All our trainers are staff members who have been selected for their technical expertise and industry experience.

When we develop your people, you can be assured of their competence to carry out safety-critical roles to Sparrows exacting and industry-leading crane operator standard.

We define competency as an individual having the ability to consistently, independently and safely perform a task that can be measured against a standard. Our goal is to help build a strong safety culture in your workforce that will lead to a reduction in the frequency and severity of incidents and deliver tangible benefits to your organisation.

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 must 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 1 training

Location – Aberdeen, Houma, Luanda & Qatar
Duration – 3 days

The course is suitable for novice operators who have no previous experience. It delivers basic knowledge and control skills, providing a foundation for safe crane operations and advancing the candidate to stage 2, combining both theoretical and practical learning.

Candidates who complete the course will receive their Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 1 certificate, which is valid for two years.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard combined stage 1 & 2 training

Location – Aberdeen
Duration – 5 days

Delievered at the Sparrows Centre of Excellence in Aberdeen, UK, the course consists of both practical and theoretical elements - using the offshore pedestal crane to perform static lifts. Candidates must clearly demonstrate a high level of consistency, as well as having the skill set to conduct and perform safely the disciplined requirements of a stage 2 crane operator. They are also required to sit a theoretical examination with a minimum requirement of 80% to achieve any certification.

There are three possible outcomes for certification; full stage 1 & 2 combined offshore crane operator, restricted stage 1 & 2 combined offshore crane operator or stage 1 offshore crane operator. The certification issued is dependent on the outcome of the final assessment process.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 2 training & assessment

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi & Qatar
Duration – 3 days

This course is suitable for personnel who have completed the offshore crane operator standard stage 1 or equivalent standard, or personnel who hold verifiable evidence to demonstrate that they have been operating cranes.

The course covers advanced knowledge and demonstration of operating ability. Successful completion enables delegates to carry out deck lifts unsupervised. Areas covered include health and safety legislation, basic crane terminology, principles of stability, safe working loads and British standard hand signals.

Completion of this course prepares delegates for the Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 2 assessment.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 2 re-assessment

Location – Aberdeen, Houma, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 1 day

This course is suitable for personnel who have completed the Offshore Crane Operator Stage 2 course and are required to refresh their certificate bi-annually or if the certificate has not been superseded by a Stage 3 assessment.

The Offshore Crane Operator Stage 2 re-assessment verifies that individuals can consistently, independently and safely perform this safety-critical role.

Candidates who complete the course will receive their Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 2 re-assessment certificate.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 3 assessment

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 6 hours

The assessment is for experienced operators who hold stage 2 certification. Delegates are required to hold the stage 2 certificate and have been coached and mentored through supply vessel operations with around 90 hours of static and dynamic lifting operations logged. Initial stage 3 assessment must be completed offshore in the live-work environment on open water.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 3 certification is awarded to delegates on successful completion of the assessment and is valid for two years.

Sparrows offshore crane operator standard stage 3 re-assessment

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 6 hours

This course is suitable for personnel who hold a recognised 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 course 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.

Sparrows Crane inspector training

Location – Aberdeen, Houma & Abu Dhabi
Duration – 4 days

The Sparrows crane inspector training programme is developed in accordance with API RP2D-2 standards and intended to provide the delegate with proper inspection and maintenance criteria and techniques.

At the end of the course, the delegate should have the knowledge and skills required to identify major inspection areas in order to competently act as a qualified inspector.

A Sparrows certificate will be awarded, which is valid for four years.

Sparrows Knuckleboom crane simulator training

Location – Aberdeen
Duration – 1 day

The course is designed for experienced crane operators who hold formal crane operator certification but are not getting regular exposure to operations conducted on knuckleboom cranes.

A simulator-based course that enhances delegates underpinning knowledge, understanding ad practical skills required to operate a knuckleboom safely, effectively and competently.

A Sparrows knuckleboom crane simulator training certificate will be awarded to the delegate on successful completion of all practical and theoretical elements, which is valid for two years.

Sparrows Simulator training offshore crane development stage 2

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 1 day

The Sparrows simulator-based offshore crane development stage 2 training is designed for personnel who have completed the offshore crane operator Stage 2 or equivalent but are not getting regular exposure to live operations.

This course enhances the delegates competence at a stage 2 level in progressing towards the stage 3 offshore crane operator assessment.

Following this training, additional stage 2 development hours can be recorded in the candidate's logbook if held. No certification is issued.

Sparrows Simulator training offshore crane development stage 3

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 1 day

The Sparrows simulator-based offshore crane development stage 3 training is designed for personnel who have completed the offshore crane operator stage 3 or equivalent but are not getting regular exposure to live operations.

During the stage 3 assessment, the candidate will need to demonstrate that they have the ability to consistently, independently and safely perform this safety-critical role of offshore crane operator.

Following this training, additional stage 3 development hours can be recorded in the delegates logbook if held. No certification is issued.

Sparrows Offshore crane appreciation

Location: Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi & Qatar
Duration: 1 day

This course is perfect for personnel who are not directly involved with hands-on crane and lifting operations. It provides delegates with better knowledge and understanding of the legal responsibilities and practicalities of offshore cranes and lifting operations. It covers key areas including relevant legislation, fundamental crane terminology, identification of components, safe load indication and crane inspection, maintenance, and thorough examination.

On completion of the course, delegates will receive a Sparrows offshore crane appreciation certificate.

Sparrows Emergency crane operator training

Location: Aberdeen, Luanda & Qatar
Duration: 2 days

This course is suitable for those who are nominated by the sponsoring company to act as an emergency crane operator. This might be required in locations where there are minimum manning levels and personnel may be required to make the crane safe in an emergency.

The course is designed to familiarise and equip non-crane operator candidates with the ability to operate a diesel/electro-hydraulic crane for the purposes of making a load safe and returning the crane safely to its rest or safe parking position. This will not provide competence to carry out routine installation or supply vessel crane/cargo handling operations.

On completion of the course, delegates will receive a Sparrows emergency crane operator awareness certificate.

Sparrows Overhead gantry crane training

Location – Aberdeen & Abu Dhabi
Duration – 1 day

This course is suitable for delegates who operate overhead gantry crane equipment in onshore and offshore workplaces. It ensures that delegates understand the principles of safe operation of overhead gantry crane operations and appropriate slinging techniques.

The course is delivered with theoretical learning in a classroom and practical exercises covering LOLER familiarisation, types of overhead cranes, hazards associated with overhead cranes and safe slinging and signalling and more.

A Sparrows overhead gantry crane certification is awarded on successful completion of the course, which is valid for two years.

Sparrows Reaction & awareness crane training / development

Location – Aberdeen, Luanda, Abu Dhabi, Singapore & Qatar
Duration – 1 day

This course is designed for novice and experienced certified offshore crane operators who require additional training to deal with emergency situations. It strengthens the basic knowledge, awareness and reactions of crane operators to improve their understanding of what to do in event of crane equipment malfunctions, failures or emergency situations.

The course consists of physical elements on the crane simulator which highlights the importance of correct decision making, communication skills under pressure and corrective safe reactions required to make a load, the crane being operated and the installation safe, without causing further danger to people, plant or equipment.

A Sparrows offshore crane operator reaction and awareness training certification is awarded on successful completion of the course.