SCE Academy Relaunches with All-New Training Courses

Street Cranexpress is proud to announce the relaunch of the SCE Academy, complete with a refreshed programme of brand-new, industry-leading training courses designed to support safer, smarter lifting operations across the UK.

Our revitalised Academy launches with four core courses (more on the way); each developed to provide practical skills, technical insight, and confidence in day-to-day lifting activities:

Meet the Trainer: Ben Cheetham

Ben joins Street Cranexpress with over 20 years of training experience and more than three decades in logistics. His diverse background spans the MoD, emergency services, utilities, docklands, and aerospace manufacturing.

Ben delivers training either on-site or at our Sheffield HQ training facility, ensuring flexible, real-world learning for businesses of all sizes.

We caught up with Ben to find out more about his journey, his passion for training, and vision for the SCE Academy.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career as a trainer?

Working as an overseas representative when I was younger helped me build problem-solving skills. Combined with my frontline customer experience, it naturally led me toward a training career.

2. What has shaped your approach to training?

Experience and flexibility. It’s vital to listen to what the customer needs and build trust.

3. Across industries like the MoD, fire services, utilities and aerospace, what common lessons influence your training style?

Being diverse and pitching training at the right level for each candidate.

4. What attracted you to Street Cranexpress?

Being the front face of a well-established business that shares my drive and passion for overhead crane training.

5. What can people expect when they enrol in an SCE Academy course?

Friendly, approachable training with tailored learning modules. Each course has clear aims and outcomes aligned with governing standards.

6. What are you looking forward to most about training at the Academy?

Setting a high standard and supporting candidates’ professional development.

7. What trends or challenges do you see in today’s lifting operations and technical training?

We need to look more deeply at how we learn, especially improving classroom knowledge to ensure solid understanding before operating equipment.

8. How important is continuous upskilling when working with lifting equipment?

Extremely important. Regulations evolve, case studies update, and complacency can creep in.

9. What advice would you give to someone new to overhead crane operations or inspections?

Understand your machine, make sure you have lifting plans to work from, and always ask if unsure.

10. What do you enjoy most outside of work?

Watching and playing snooker and football, and spending days out with my two children.

11. Is there a personal achievement you’d like people to know about?

In 2003, I helped deliver incident response training nationwide for the fire service, an invaluable experience early in my training career.

12. What motivates you professionally and personally?

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” You’re only as good as your last job.

Looking Ahead

With more training experiences due for launch throughout 2026, Ben is excited to lead the next chapter of the SCE Academy, delivering industry-leading training, helping teams build competence, and promoting safer lifting practices across every environment.

New Training Courses Now Available:

• Electric Overhead Travelling Crane Operation – For safe slinging practices and correct crane operation.

• Inspection of Lifting Equipment Accessories – An in-depth look at key inspection requirements, processes, and safety considerations.

• Slinger Signaller – Perfect for those needing to master safe and effective slinging techniques.

• Crane Supervisor – Suitable for operators who supervise routine and non-routine lifts.

These courses are open for booking now and have already generated significant interest. Leading the new-look Academy is our Group Technical Trainer, Ben Cheetham. Ben brings decades of experience, fresh insight, and a passion for developing safe lifting professionals.

For more information or to book a course, contact the SCE Academy team today.

For more information on SCE Academy Relaunches with All-New Training Courses talk to Street Cranexpress Ltd