When I first joined the Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ), I’ll admit – if you’d asked me what a unit standard was, I would’ve smiled politely and quickly changed the subject.
I came into the role with plenty of energy and a deep respect for our industry, but the world of vocational education was an entirely new language. Luckily, I’m a fast learner – because in the years since, I’ve overseen the establishment of one of the most significant education initiatives our industry has ever undertaken: a fully industry-led private training establishment, the Port and Crane Academy of New Zealand (PCANZ).
The journey: From concept to creation
Creating PCANZ has been a three-year journey of perseverance, collaboration, and sheer determination. When we first started, the goal was simple but ambitious – to give the crane industry ownership of its training, to ensure the people teaching and certifying our workforce actually understand what it’s like to operate a crane, work on a site, and deliver under pressure.
But as anyone who has tried to build something during a time of reform will know, nothing has been simple. The government’s Review of Vocational Education (RoVE)– and later, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Review – have created an ever-shifting landscape.
Over the past six years, we’ve watched the old system being disestablished, a new one designed and partially implemented, and then that very system disestablished again. It’s been a revolving door of reform, and now, incredibly, we find ourselves once more at the starting gates of yet another “new” system. The disruption to learners, employers, and providers has been huge.
The consequences: Declining enrolments and industry fatigue
The impact of all this has been stark. In the crane sector, enrolments in the full national qualification have plummeted to two across all providers in New Zealand. That’s not a typo–two. The only two learners currently enrolled in the full qualification are with our own PTE, PCANZ.
It’s a sobering reality, and one that reflects not a lack of interest from our people, but the cumulative effect of disruption, uncertainty, and fatigue. The industry downturn following Covid-19 didn’t help, nor did the migration of qualifications into the new skills-standards framework.
As a result, much of the industry has reverted to completing individual unit standards, often with the intention of applying for a “certificate-only” process at the end. We all know how tempting it can be to stop at the minimum required standards listed in the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), rather than pursuing the full recommended qualification.
This piecemeal approach to training might get us by in the short term – but it won’t get us where we need to go.
The opportunity: Valuing training as an investment
I believe, deeply, that the crane industry needs to start placing far greater value on training. The importance of investing in proper, structured, and recognised training for our people cannot be overstated. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about culture.
When an employer commits to training their operators properly, they’re sending a powerful message: “We value you. We believe in your potential. We’re investing in your future.” That kind of commitment breeds confidence, loyalty, and motivation. It enhances safety, improves performance, and strengthens the reputation of the entire sector.
A well-trained operator doesn’t just perform better, they think better. They understand risk, anticipate problems, and take pride in their work. Those qualities build great teams, strong companies, and a resilient industry.
Weathering the storm: PCANZ comes to Life
Fortunately, we saw the writing on the wall early. Before RoVE even began, our members directed CANZ to establish our own private training establishment.
Today, PCANZ is up and running – training crane and port operators across New Zealand. We’ve weathered serious storms to get here, from regulatory delays to funding hurdles, but it’s incredibly satisfying to now be able to offer quality training, led by industry, for industry, at a cost-competitive rate.
A network of partners: Strength in diversity
While PCANZ plays a unique role as the only fully industry-led provider, it’s important to acknowledge the other training providers operating across our network. They, too, contribute enormous value to the sector, offering different delivery styles, and pathways that suit a variety of learners. We’re fortunate to have passionate educators around the country who share the same goal: producing safe, skilled, and competent operators.
The diversity of providers is part of what keeps our industry strong. Each one plays a role in helping people gain the skills they need to succeed, and we’re proud to work alongside them. The establishment of PCANZ was never about replacing others – it’s about complementing what already exists, ensuring that together we can meet the growing and changing needs of the crane and lifting industry.
A call to the industry: Back what we built
Now that PCANZ is established, we face a new kind of challenge – not building it but growing it. We built this for the industry, and the doors are open for your learners.
This isn’t about charity, or obligation, it’s about ownership. We all know that if we want something done right, we must do it ourselves. That’s what PCANZ represents: training designed by the people who live and breathe cranes, for the people who will take this industry forward.
We want PCANZ to grow into the training hub our industry deserves – nimble, responsive, respected, and sustainable. But that can only happen if our members actively use it.
We can’t expect government reform to solve our workforce challenges. We can’t rely on others to prioritise cranes in a system where we’re one small part of a very big puzzle. We must back ourselves.
Looking ahead: Building a skilled, confident workforce
As we move into the next phase of vocational reform (whatever that may bring), I’m proud that CANZ and PCANZ stand ready to support our members with stability and direction. While others are waiting to see what happens, we’re getting on with it.
Our vision is clear: to create a highly competent, skilled, and confident workforce that can take our industry into the future.
There will always be change in our sector – technology evolves, projects get bigger, and expectations rise. But one thing remains constant: our people are the backbone of everything we do.
If we want to attract the next generation of crane operators, then we must invest in them.
That’s why PCANZ exists. That’s why we fought to create it. And that’s why I’m asking every employer, every manager, every leader in our industry: make training a priority. Enrol your people. Back the system we built for you.
Together, we can ensure that the next 50 years of crane operations in New Zealand are defined not by disruption, but by excellence.
By Sarah Toase, CEO,
Crane Association of New Zealand.