ITI Opens New Crane Training Center in Florida

Industrial Training International (ITI), an Interplay Learning company, has partnered with Adena Corporation to open a new ITI Training Center in Lakeland, Florida. The facility, which began classes in October 2025, will provide instructor-led training for crane operators, riggers and other lifting professionals, aiming to address the region’s skilled labor shortage in construction and industrial sectors.

“While many education systems struggle to produce job-ready technicians, Adena is taking a proactive approach by investing directly in workforce development,” said Randy A. Payne, CEO and president of Adena Corporation. “Through our partnership with ITI, the Lakeland Training Center will deliver hands-on, industry-validated training programs that prepare workers for high-demand technical roles, particularly in the crane and rigging field.”

The facility combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces where students can work with live cranes and rigging equipment. Training covers practical safety protocols and real-world scenarios, including simulated loads, to build competence and confidence on job sites. Courses include intermediate rigging, master rigging with qualification, rigging gear inspector, lift director and critical lift planning.

“Our hands-on, workshop-style classes led by industry experts ensure that crane, rigging and lifting professionals can acquire essential skills in a safe and controlled environment, which is challenging to master in normal working environments,” said Andrew Kauser, COO of ITI. “The partnership with Adena is a natural fit, as their commitment to excellence in workforce development aligns with our own.”

The Lakeland center has already launched its first intermediate rigging class, with additional sessions for 2025 and 2026 filling quickly. Students and professionals can register online to participate in upcoming classes.

ITI is recognized globally for its crane and rigging training programs, combining instructor-led courses with advanced online simulations, AI and virtual reality through Interplay Learning. Adena Corporation, an employee-owned construction firm, brings additional expertise in workforce development and industry training, making the partnership a strategic step toward addressing the skilled labor gap in the construction industry.