The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has launched a mentoring program in the USA that brings aspiring crane operators and industry professionals together with experienced specialists. For German manufacturers such as Tadano Demag, Liebherr, or Terex, who are active in the North American market, the initiative could help to find qualified operators for their machines. The chronic shortage of skilled workers affects the construction machinery industry on both sides of the Atlantic: According to current industry surveys, around 40 percent of open positions for certified crane operators remain unfilled in the USA. The NCCCO program relies on personal networking rather than traditional training – an approach that is likely to gain importance here as well.