Crane operator: a trade in 3 months, with an international certificate
Learn to run a tower crane safely on the CM Labs Vortex simulator, then practise on a real 50-metre tower crane. A state certificate at the end, and an international one if you want it.
- CM Labs Vortex simulator
- 50-metre tower crane
- Dormitory available
- 3 months
- duration
- 432
- hours
- 5m
- so'm / month
Who it is for
Entry requirements. If one of them does not fit, talk to an adviser.
- Over 18
- No experience required — it starts from scratch
- Secondary education
- A medical certificate for working at height
Why study here
CM Labs Vortex simulator
On the Canadian CM Labs Vortex rig you practise joystick control without fear of a mistake — safely, and at no cost in materials.
Practice on a 50-metre tower crane
Straight after the simulator you start lifting practice on a real tower crane on the Mohir Usta site.
Dormitory and meals on campus
A comfortable dormitory and three hot meals a day for those travelling in from the regions. 75,000 so'm / day each.
State and international certificate
A state certificate and full paperwork at the end of the course. An international certificate too, if you want one, with the right to work abroad.
Course structure
The difference: the tower crane is the main practice within the 432-hour programme; the bridge crane and mobile crane are an extra specialisation built into the same course, at no separate charge.
- K-1
Tower crane — the main track
The core of the 432-hour programme: theory, the CM Labs Vortex simulator, then practice on a real 50-metre tower crane.
3 months · 432 hours · 15m so'm - K-2
Bridge crane
An extra module: how bridge and gantry cranes are built, signalling and communication with the slinger, load-lifting and placement technique.
Included in the main course, at no extra cost - K-3
Mobile crane and the work-at-height permit
An extra module: the mobile crane's outriggers and stability, working near power lines, and a separate exam on working-at-height safety.
Included in the main course, at no extra cost
- Month 1
Theory and safety
How cranes are built, their types and how they work; safety at height, and the basics of hydraulics and electrical systems.
- Month 2
Simulator practice
Joystick control on the CM Labs Vortex simulator, lifting and repositioning loads, and drills for emergency situations.
- Month 3
Real practice and the exam
Technical inspection of the tower crane, load-lifting and lowering operations, and the final theory and practical exam.
Full syllabus
By month and stage, with hours at section level. 432 hours in total.
| Section | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| I | Month 1 — Theory and safety | 144 |
| 1 | How cranes are built, their types and how they work (tower, bridge, mobile) | |
| 2 | Occupational safety and safety when working at height | |
| 3 | Basics of hydraulics and electrical systems | |
| II | Month 2 — Simulator practice | 144 |
| 4 | Controls (joysticks) on the CM Labs Vortex simulator | |
| 5 | Exercises in lifting and repositioning loads | |
| 6 | Exercises in responding to emergencies | |
| III | Month 3 — Real practice | 144 |
| 7 | Starting work safely on the tower crane, checking technical condition | |
| 8 | Load-lifting and lowering operations — in real conditions | |
| 9 | Final theory and practical exam | |
| Total | 432 hours | |
IMonth 1 — Theory and safety144 hours
| 1 | How cranes are built, their types and how they work (tower, bridge, mobile) | |
| 2 | Occupational safety and safety when working at height | |
| 3 | Basics of hydraulics and electrical systems |
IIMonth 2 — Simulator practice144 hours
| 4 | Controls (joysticks) on the CM Labs Vortex simulator | |
| 5 | Exercises in lifting and repositioning loads | |
| 6 | Exercises in responding to emergencies |
IIIMonth 3 — Real practice144 hours
| 7 | Starting work safely on the tower crane, checking technical condition | |
| 8 | Load-lifting and lowering operations — in real conditions | |
| 9 | Final theory and practical exam |
Extra specialised module: bridge crane and mobile crane
Bridge crane
- How bridge and gantry cranes are built
- Signalling rules and communication with the slinger
- Load-lifting and placement technique
- Technical inspection and fault detection
Mobile crane and the work-at-height permit
- The mobile crane's outriggers and stability
- Working safely near power lines
- Responding to emergencies
- A separate exam on working-at-height safety
Equipment and technology
Prices
Every payment in one place. No payment on the site — contract and payment are handled at the centre.
| 3 months · 432 hours, full course | 15m so'm |
- State certificate and paperwork
- First-category crane operator certificate
- Work-at-height permit
Optional
Paid separately| Dormitory | 75,000 so'm / day |
| Meals, three a day | 75,000 so'm / day |
| International certificate: exam and certification | 3,000,000 so'm |
The dormitory and meals are optional services and are not included in the course fee.
Certificate
Two stages — and a third route for the experienced: straight to the exam, no course.
State certificate
A state-issued document of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Included in the course price.
- Certificate (with QR code)
- First-category crane operator certificate
- Work-at-height permit
International certificate
A practical exam to an international standardThe chance to work as a crane operator abroad and on international construction projects.
Exam only — no course
Already know how to operate a crane? Go straight to the exam, without the course. This is how organisations certify their existing employees.
How certification works — 7 steps
- 01ApplicationSign up for the course, or for the exam only.
- 02DocumentsPassport, proof of education and a medical certificate.
- 03Course or preparationThe course, or preparing on your own.
- 04Theory examA test, on a computer.
- 05Practical examOn real equipment, in front of the board.
- 06MarkingResults are announced within 3 working days.
- 07CertificateA certificate with a QR code, and the document pack.
Instructors
- Photo · instructor
[Name Surname]
Crane operator instructor, first category12 years in plants and in teaching - Photo · instructor
[Name Surname]
CM Labs Vortex simulator instructor7 years, tower and bridge cranes
Intake and schedule
When a group fills up, we move you to the next date.
Next start dates
- 15 September 2026
- 13 October 2026
- 10 November 2026
Shifts
- Morning · 09:00–13:00
- Afternoon · 14:00–18:00
Where graduates work
Crane operators are in steady demand on construction and industrial sites. An international certificate opens up work on construction projects abroad.
Countries
Type of work
- Lifting loads on a tower crane
- Bridge crane and mobile crane operations
- Sites that require working at height
Similar programmes
Questions
The questions asked most often about this programme.
Can I learn to operate a crane from scratch?
Yes. The course starts from scratch: theory and safety in the first month, the simulator in the second, real practice on the tower crane in the third.
Is it safe to train on the simulator?
Yes. On the CM Labs Vortex simulator you practise joystick control without fear of a mistake — you move to the real crane only after that.
Will I only learn the tower crane, or the other types too?
The main practice is on the tower crane. The bridge crane, the mobile crane and working at height are covered as an extra module within the same course, at no extra cost.
Why would I need the international certificate?
To work as a crane operator abroad and on international construction projects. The state certificate is enough to work in Uzbekistan.
I can already operate a crane and only need the certificate — is that possible?
Yes, you can sit the exam without the course: 1,000,000 so'm. A theory test and a practical trial.
Can I live in the dormitory?
Yes, there is a dormitory at 75,000 so'm a day, with three meals for another 75,000 so'm — both are optional and not included in the course fee.
Crane operator — apply
Our adviser will be in touch within 24 hours, confirm the date and invite you to the campus. Contract and payment are handled at the centre.