News
B.C. trainer wins major honour

An Abbotsford, B.C.-based crane operator trainer will be recognized as North America’s top corporate trainer for 2016 at a crane industry conference in Washington state this May.

The award, to Ralf Notheis, manager of the Crane Academy for Abbotsford-based Bigfoot Crane Co. Inc., was announced late in 2016 by Crane Hot Line magazine.

Notheis received the honour, in the words of the judge, for creating “reward-based safety challenges for his clients and their employees” that show his “ability to gain buy-in and commitment from client management, which ultimately benefits the crane and rigging industry as a whole.”

An article about the award noted that Notheis, who has been with Bigfoot since 2014, has a background that includes positions at the largest crane rental companies in Canada. The piece also cited an example of how he encouraged a student with dyslexia to overcome his lack of confidence and complete his training.

“With over 20 years of experience in the heavy equipment industry, Ralf’s reputation and impeccable safety record speak for him,” said Ryan Burton, managing partner at Bigfoot, in a news release announcing the award. “His combination of practical experience and technical expertise is virtually unmatched and his deep insight into personalities and learning methods have been a game-changer for us.”

The annual Top Trainer Awards are endorsed by the non-profit Association of Crane & Rigging Professionals. The winners will be recognized at the association’s annual general assembly, which takes place May 9-12 in Tulalip, Wash.