Riggers can work in a lot of fields, making the opportunities endless. Are you thinking of becoming a rigger in the future? This guide will give you a brief rundown on what you need to do.
Rigging is a promising career since there are many fields that you can enter, not only construction. Primarily, the responsibilities of a full-fledged rigger include rigging inspection, lifting, moving, and positioning heavy equipment, machines, and other oversized loads. Apart from the construction industry, riggers can find jobs in shipyards, mining sites, petroleum excavation, and many more.
If you’ve always been leaning towards this trade, you may be wondering how you can get into the profession. Here’s how:
Get the education and training
Riggers are expected to possess in-depth knowledge of the mechanical aspects of rigging, as well as the skills needed in order to commence operation and make judgment calls when hitting a wall (literally and figuratively). To acquire knowledge and skills on rigging, an aspiring rigger should get training and on-the-job experience after high school. Some riggers get their training through a school or a training facility, but most look for apprenticeships to experience the job first hand.
If you want to enter the rigging industry, start by getting formal training either through an outside educator or by working for a company as an apprentice. If you wish, you can do both to prepare yourself for a rigger job. After that, you can get training to be certified in a particular specialty. Other states also require a rigger license.
Create a resume
As with other jobs, creating a resume is the first step toward landing your first rigging job. Some riggers are absorbed by the company they had their apprenticeship at, but if this is not the case for you, a high-quality resume is a good start. In your resume, showcase all the training and skills you’ve learned through your education and apprenticeships.
Search for rigger jobs
Riggers can work in many industries with multiple job functions. However, you may want to start with the network that you already have. Ask your trainers, co-workers, and other professionals in the field regarding job opportunities. If your network is not big enough to point you in the right direction, look for jobs online.
When looking for jobs, consider the wage that the company is offering. On average, riggers are paid about $21 per hour. According to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top-paying states for riggers are New York, Oregon, Hawaii, Michigan, and New Mexico, respectively. For cities, you will find the highest wages in Beaumont, TX; Detroit, MI; New York, NY; Honolulu, HI; and Minneapolis, MN.
Explore career advancement
Think about the possible career advancement that you will have at your prospective company. Riggers can advance to a supervisor or a general contractor position during their career. Of course, it will take a few years before you are considered for promotion, but it’s important to get a feel for the company and your ability to excel in it.
The rigger career outlook is projected to be at 9%, similar to other jobs in the U.S. If you’re thinking of becoming a rigger, now is probably the right time to start your career while the industry expansion is rapid.
