ESTA is set to sign a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Canada’s British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) for its European Crane Operators Licence (ECOL).
Following a virtual meeting of the ECOL expert committee and BCACS earlier this month, the two associations agreed to align their respective crane operator standards.
The parties are now drawing up a formal MRA that will mean the ECOL and BCACS licences will be interchangeable and that the operators holding them will be able to work in both territories.
ESTA director Ton Klijn said: “This shows the growing international interest in ECOL. Agreements like this will enhance crane operator training on a worldwide level.
“ECOL can improve both safety and employment flexibility, allowing good operators to work wherever they are needed – something that will be a significant plus for the big international operators.”
ECOL supporters hope that the BCAS agreement will eventually lead to similar deals being struck with the rest of Canada.
