Cherry Picker (MEWP) Operator Training
Get certified to operate cherry pickers, boom lifts, and scissor lifts.
Our Cherry Picker (MEWP) Operator Training course equips you to safely operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms — the essential equipment for working at height across South Africa's booming construction, warehousing, and facilities management sectors. Whether you call it a cherry picker, boom lift, scissor lift, or aerial work platform, our SAQA Unit Standard 243272 aligned course covers them all.
The course is an intensive 1-week programme combining classroom theory on MEWP types, OHS Act legislation, and working-at-heights safety with hands-on practical training on real cherry pickers, boom lifts, and scissor lifts. You will learn telescopic boom control, scissor lift platform operation, outrigger deployment, fall protection harness use, and safe working-at-heights procedures under the guidance of instructors with real industry experience.
MEWP certification is one of the most versatile tickets you can hold. Unlike machine-specific licences, SAQA 243272 qualifies you to operate cherry pickers, boom lifts, scissor lifts, access platforms, and man lifts — opening doors to employers in construction, warehousing, telecommunications, utilities, event staging, and property maintenance. Many of our graduates work for major construction firms, shopping centre management companies, and industrial maintenance contractors across Gauteng and beyond.
The course also covers load capacity charts, ground stability assessment, proximity hazard identification, power line clearances, and emergency descent procedures. If you are exploring broader career paths, DT Academy also offers Forklift, Mobile Crane, Truck Mounted Crane, and Tower Crane operator training, plus Mining Machinery, Security Training, and Health & Safety courses from the same Pretoria Central campus.
Cherry Picker / Boom Lift
Telescopic & articulating arm platforms for vertical & horizontal reach at height
Scissor Lift
Vertical-only platforms with crisscrossing mechanism for stable elevated work
Access Platform / Man Lift
Personnel lifts and aerial work platforms for confined or indoor applications
- Identify MEWP types and select the correct machine for the job
- Conduct pre-operation inspections and fault reporting
- Operate telescopic and articulating boom lifts safely
- Operate scissor lifts and vertical access platforms
- Deploy outriggers and assess ground stability and bearing capacity
- Read and apply load capacity charts and range diagrams
- Use fall protection harnesses and anchor points correctly
- Identify proximity hazards including power lines and overhead structures
- Execute emergency descent and shutdown procedures
- Apply OHS Act and Driven Machinery Regulations for MEWP operations
Course Information
MEWP Types, Components & OHS Act Legislation
Introduction to Mobile Elevating Work Platforms: cherry pickers, boom lifts, scissor lifts, access platforms, and man lifts. Component identification, proportional controls, and hydraulic systems. Extracts from the OHS Act and Driven Machinery Regulations. Physical requirements for MEWP operators and PPE standards.
Safety, Load Charts & Site Planning
Pre-operational, operational, and shutdown safety requirements. Principles of leverage, centre of gravity, and stability. Capacity charts, range diagrams, and safe operating areas. Ground-bearing surfaces, outrigger blocking, and proximity hazards. Power line clearances, Beaufort wind scale, and communication with the Banksman.
Cab Familiarisation & Basic MEWP Operation
Pre-operational walk-around and hydraulic system checks. Cab controls, display panels, and emergency descent systems. Basic boom extension, elevation, and platform positioning on cherry pickers and boom lifts. First platform operations at ground and low levels. Communication with ground spotters.
Advanced Operation, Scissor Lifts & Height Work
Scissor lift operation and vertical platform manoeuvring. Working at height with fall protection harnesses and anchor points. Multi-level platform positioning and precision alignment. Truck loading and unloading sequences. Emergency procedures: hydraulic failure, power line contact, and inclement weather protocols.
Assessment & Certification
Independent practical competency evaluation covering all MEWP types learned. Oral assessment on OHS Act requirements, load charts, and safety regulations. Certificate and operator licence card briefing, plus job application guidance for construction companies, warehousing operations, and facilities management employers.
Cherry Picker (Boom Lift)
A cherry picker uses a telescopic or articulating hydraulic arm to lift a work platform to elevated positions. It offers both vertical and horizontal reach, making it ideal for construction, maintenance, tree work, and utility repairs. Cherry pickers can be truck-mounted, self-propelled, or trailer-mounted.
- Telescopic boom for straight vertical/horizontal reach
- Articulating boom for accessing over obstacles
- Platform capacity typically 200–250 kg
- Working heights from 10m to over 40m
Scissor Lift
A scissor lift moves a work platform straight up and down using a crisscrossing (scissor) mechanism. It provides a larger platform area than boom lifts and is preferred for indoor maintenance, warehousing, and construction tasks where horizontal movement is not required.
- Vertical-only movement for stable elevated work
- Larger platform for multiple workers and tools
- Ideal for indoor and warehouse applications
- Working heights from 6m to 18m
On-Site Training for Companies
Need to certify several employees at once? On-site Cherry Picker (MEWP) Operator Training is available on request — our instructors come to your warehouse, construction site, or facility to train your team on your own equipment, reducing downtime and keeping operations running.
Request On-Site Training
Certificate & Operator Card Renewal
Certificates and operator licence cards issued by DT Academy are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Once your certificate expires, it can be renewed at a cost — and because renewal doesn't require repeating the full course, our team can usually process it in the same visit.
Ask About RenewalWho Should Attend
- Job seekers wanting to enter construction, warehousing, or maintenance
- Existing workers looking to move into elevated work platform operation
- Company employees who need MEWP certification for site work
- Experienced operators needing a formal SAQA 243272 certificate
- Anyone whose MEWP operator card has expired and needs renewal
Career Opportunities After Certification
- Cherry Picker / MEWP Operator
- Boom Lift Operator
- Scissor Lift Operator
- Construction Site Equipment Operator
- Facilities Maintenance Technician
- Warehousing & Logistics Equipment Operator
| Feature | DT Academy | Other Schools |
|---|---|---|
| SAQA Unit Standard 243272 Aligned | ✓ Yes | Varies |
| TETA & QCTO Accreditation | ✓ Yes | Varies |
| Free Accommodation | ✓ Yes | Rarely |
| Job Assistance Programme | ✓ Yes | Rarely |
| On-Site Company Training | ✓ Yes | Sometimes |
| Weekend Classes Available | ✓ Yes | Rarely |
| 100% Pass Rate Guarantee | ✓ Yes | No |
| Certificate Renewal Service | ✓ Yes | Sometimes |
Enrol Now
Fill in the form below and one of our consultants will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your course and start date.
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Get Certified This Week
Join hundreds of operators who have launched their careers with DT Academy. Free accommodation, job assistance, and nationally recognised SAQA 243272 certification — all in one week.