On Some sites there are self operational Hoist which you can use yourself however on the majority of sites you will have a trained Hoist operator supplied by the main contractor or the company which owns the hoist.

Its not normally down to the Hoist company to ensure you have a trained personnel using the hoist its the Hirers responability, hence the 5 minute rundown.

This type of work is categorised as ‘high risk’ work, and, to perform these activities, operators are required to hold a nationally recognised high risk work licence. There is a 3 day Course for people to get their CPCS cards. They would be expected to know what to do in an emergency, the safe weight and even distributions of weight within the cage, that can't be done in minutes?? For a novise its a 3 day course for your CPCS card.

You can go on a one day course that does not give you a CPCS card but allows you to operate the hoist as a competent person and you will get a card valid for 3 years, this would be the best option and normally site use a Labourer with a bit of Savey for the test and role as Hoist operator