Obtaining your UK forklift operator licence can open many doors and job opportunities for you, whether you’re new to the logistics industry or feel like a change in your career. Also known as a Forklift ticket, once you receive this, you can show employers and businesses that your have completed appropriate training, backed by a governing body in that area of expertise.
Having sufficient forklift training will show potential employers you are competent and safe to drive a forklift, read our article on why forklift safety is so important or view our free forklift training guide. You can also find out Everything You Need to Know About Forklift Training.
We are hoping this article will give you more info on gaining your forklift licence and hopefully help you to complete your forklift training!
What is a forklift operator?
A forklift operator holds the proper qualifications to drive a forklift, also known as a fork truck. Most often, you’ll find forklifts used in warehouses and yards, where they handle heavy materials and move loads quickly.
The type of forklift you use depends on several factors, the job, the space, the load, and the environment. Each forklift offers unique benefits depending on these working conditions, so it’s important to choose the right one.
In the bigger picture, forklift operators keep operations running smoothly. They help businesses move goods efficiently, stay on schedule, and meet daily targets. Without skilled forklift drivers, warehouses and yard operations can slow down, leading to delays and safety issues.
What forklift training involves
Forklift training will cover all the aspects you need to become a competent forklift driver and will help to ensure you can complete your job safely.
There are six parts to completing a forklift training course, which include:
- Theory training
- Theory tests
- Pre-Shift Training
- Pre-Shift Test
- Practical training
- Practical tests
All our training is completed in our dedicated forklift facilities, including comfortable and air-conditioned training classrooms and our spacious warehousing facilities.
“Some of” the types of forklift trucks that we use to complete operator training include:
- Counterbalance trucks
- Reach trucks
- Moffett trucks
- Bendi Pivot-steer trucks
- Powered Pallet trucks
Our accrediting body
All of our forklift courses are ITSSAR accredited, ITSSAR is one of the founding members of the Accrediting Bodies Association.
ITSSAR “promotes the highest quality of training within the workplace”, meaning that by completing and passing one of our ITSSAR-accredited forklift training courses, you will have received the highest standard of training available.
ITSSAR is a nationally recognised accreditation and will allow you to have confidence in your abilities as well as show to others that you are a qualified and competent forklift operator!
You can find out more about ITSSAR by visiting their website!
The training process from start to finish
The process of gaining your forklift licence is as follows:
- Contact one of our training centres to discuss your training options.
- Choose the training dates that are suitable for you, and book your course.
- Attend one of our four locations and complete your classroom theory training.
- Pass your theory tests
- Complete your pre-shift training
- Pass your pre-shift test
- Complete your practical forklift operator training
- Pass your practical operator test
- Obtain your certificate and forklift ID card
Once you have gone through this process, you will be a qualified and competent forklift operator.
Here at 2 Start Training, we have a range of forklift courses suitable for different needs and experience levels, with Novice, Experienced Operator, Refresher, and Conversion courses available. We are also able to offer off-site forklift training to complete on your own site.
Don’t hesitate and book your forklift operator training today! This can be done by either booking online or by calling our friendly team of forklift training advisors on 02392 123555.