In the modern-factory area of Zenith Steel Group, in Changzhou, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province, overhead cranes shuttle like steel dragons over the workshops. Inside an operator's cabin, a woman, dressed in work wear, skillfully uses both hands to control the operating levers. Who is this woman? Jiang Caiqin, the internal trainer of overhead crane operators. 

Overhead cranes span the factory area, as if they are bridges. They are essential for handling heavy materials at great heights in various industries. 

Jiang began working as one of the group's crane operators in 2009. The operator's cabin is about two square meters, and is often 20 meters above the ground. 

When she first became a crane operator, Jiang spent every day at the training base, where she repeatedly practiced various skills, such as hook stabilization, pole winding and fixed-point parking. She often practiced until late at night. Her training period was three months, but it only took Jiang one and a half months to complete her training. 

Operating a crane requires excellent skills and a strong sense of responsibility. If you ask her colleagues, they will say Jiang persistently pursues excellence. She can operate the crane to deliver an iron bucket, filled with water, along an S-shaped route without spilling a drop. She can also lift a screw cap, the size of an egg, and place it on the mouth of a bottle. Jiang obtained her senior overhead crane operator's certificate within four years of completing her training. 

Crane operators coordinate their work with ground personnel. A small mistake can result in an accident. Whenever Jiang is in the cabin, she remains focused on her work. For more than 10 years, there has never been an accident on sites for which she has been responsible. 

Jiang has represented the group during various skills competitions at the provincial-, city- and district-levels. She has won many prizes and she has received various honors, including National Excellent Migrant Worker, Jiangsu Provincial May 1 Labor Medal and Jiangsu Provincial Woman Pacesetter for Achievements. 

In 2019, Jiang became the group's first woman internal trainer of overhead crane operators. As a trainer, she has compiled overhead crane safety operation regulations, established the "scenario simulation plus psychological counseling" teaching method and trained 185 qualified overhead crane operators, and more than 1,000 ground personnel. 

"During my training course, I will first explain the complex mechanical principles, in a simple and understandable way, and then combine practical cases to deepen understanding. I will take trainees to the training site, and I will teach them, step by step, how to operate the overhead crane, in a standardized manner, such as lifting steadily, to avoid shaking the goods, and observing the surrounding environment during operation," Jiang says. 

Jiang's patience and diligence are highly praised by her apprentices. "She taught us how to perceive an error of 0.5 centimeter, and she told us that small things matter in workplace safety," Li Xiaomin, one of her apprentices, says. "Jiang told me we must be careful and stay focused when we operate overhead cranes. She is responsible, and she teaches us step by step throughout the whole process. She also gives us psychological counseling," says Zhang Xueyan, another apprentice. 

Jiang plans to take her instruction a step further. "In the future, I plan to optimize training courses, and introduce new technological knowledge, such as the operation and maintenance of intelligent overhead cranes. More high-quality courses will be produced and posted on online platforms. I also plan to offer personalized training courses to trainees, so they can master skills quickly. I hope to cultivate more outstanding overhead crane operators who have craftsmanship and a spirit of innovation," Jiang says. 

In 2022, Jiang Caiqin Model Worker (Craftsmanship) Innovation Workshop was established. Under her leadership, the workshop has conducted 12 research and innovation projects, which combined have created more than one million yuan (US $140,845) in annual economic benefits for the group. 

Jiang was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder in March. "For me, this honor is not only recognition, but also a source of motivation. I will continue to work hard, and to inspire more women to pursue their dreams. In the steel industry, a seemingly men-dominated field, women excel in various positions with their diligence and resilience. We can hold up half the sky in the industry," she says. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, and China will hold the Global Summit of Women, in Beijing in the latter half of this year. "I expect the summit will gather global wisdom, share more innovative experiences and models to promote gender equality, promote international cooperation and offer more support for women's development. I hope women will make greater achievements in a more equitable environment," Jiang says.

Photos from Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly May 2025)

Editor: Wang Shasha