Quality training from a qualified forklift instructor is important for many materials handling industry employers. But, with a range of Forklift Instructor Training providers and courses available, which should you choose? And what are the differences between them?
Why ‘Train the Trainer’?
Before you choose an MHE Instructor Training provider, it’s important to remember why this is essential for your business.
Firstly, an ‘experienced’ operator showing another driver “the ropes” is not enough – cutting corners and failing to deliver the correct lift truck operator training with a suitably qualified Instructor compromises safety.
It could also have serious repercussions for your business in the event of an incident. Failure to prove training has been delivered in line with the Approved Code of Practice for Rider Operated Lift Truck guidance could lead to a prosecution and fine from the HSE should an accident occur.
Benefits of RTITB MHE Instructor courses
With RTITB Lift Truck Instructor courses, you can be confident that your Instructors have acquired the right level of skill, knowledge and understanding of the industry, the law, and health and safety requirements. This gives Instructors the real-world skills they need to train others in safe operation and in turn aids compliance.
However, compliance isn’t the only factor that should encourage you to deliver quality Instructor training from the RTITB Instructor Academy. Our courses have been specially designed with your business in mind, so you could also benefit from damage avoidance, reduced costs, increased productivity and more.
Lift Truck Instructor Course with Independent Examination
One key benefit that sets the RTITB Forklift Instructor training course apart is that in order to become a qualified Lift Truck Instructor, candidates must not only attend the course, but also successfully complete an examination.
The exam, which covers operating skills, a theory paper and the candidate’s delivery of practical instruction, assesses:
- Ability to operate a lift truck to a higher than average standard: Our Instructor course only permits a maximum of 25 penalties, rather than the standard amount of 40
- Underpinning knowledge: Not only the facts, but why certain things matter and what the implications can be of incorrect and unsafe practices
- Ability to deliver practical training: Only those that can demonstrate and explain new skills safely and effectively will pass the exam
- Ability to deliver classroom and theoretical training: Including lesson planning
- How to carry out and train others to thoroughly inspect a lift truck prior to use: Correct pre-use inspection is vital for preventing incidents and ensuring safety
The comprehensive examination is conducted by an impartial, RTITB examiner who will confirm ability or identify any weaknesses. To make sure they have the requisite skills and knowledge, the trainee must pass all three above elements of the exam to qualify.
The course also includes ongoing assessment of ability by the course instructor alongside peer review, skills and task analysis to help trainees acquire the tools to become a great Instructor, rather than just learning the right answers for the end of course test.
When selecting a training provider, remember that a high exam pass rate is no guarantee of quality training! Unfeasibly high pass rates don’t necessarily result from good training, and, in fact, may indicate lower assessment standards.
With Instructor training from the RTITB Academy (or any of the 80 centres approved across the UK & Ireland to deliver RTITB Forklift Instructor courses), successful candidates not only receive a recognised qualification but are also eligible to register on the RTITB Register of Professional Instructors.
Forklift Instructor Training Course Content
However, it’s not just the exam that makes the RTITB Instructor course stand out. As an employer, you’ll need to ensure that you equip your trainee Instructors with everything they need to develop and assess your forklift operators in accordance with best practice and legislation. Before choosing Lift Truck Instructor training, you should look closely at the course content – it should never just be a case of ticking the compliance box.
Forklift Instructor Training courses from the RTITB Instructor Academy are designed to ultimately result in Lift Truck Operators being trained to give the very best performance on the job.
The industry-leading Lift Truck Instructor course covers the skills for conducting practical training sessions and delivery of theoretical classroom-based lessons. Often classroom training can be overlooked in Instructor training, but it is a vital piece of expertise for ensuring operators emerge from training skilled and safe. It also equips the trainee Instructor with a wider range of teaching methods to use in future operator training and provides guidance and confidence around the use of training aids.
RTITB Forklift Instructor course content includes:
- Health and safety
- Relevant regulations
- Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)
- Instructor role and qualities
- Basic principles of instruction
- Skills and task analysis
- Practical and theoretical lesson structure
- Report writing
- Visual aids
- Lift truck test
RTITB Dedicated Instructor Training Academy
Some businesses offer instructor training as a side-line, but at the RTITB Instructor Academy, we offer expert ‘train the trainer’ courses specially designed to prepare forklift truck instructors to develop the most skilled and safe forklift operators in the industry. It is the only centre in the UK and Ireland that is dedicated to training the instructors of the future.
The RTITB Instructor Academy is a trusted and reputable training provider that will ensure that adequate training, assessment and examination are in place, giving you the confidence of quality and compliance when training Instructors in-house. Bespoke course materials that uphold rigorous quality standards are also available.
To find out more about why RTITB Lift Truck Instructor Training is different and discuss how we can support your business, get in touch with our friendly team.