Doors open at BITA Academy for forklift apprentices 02 November 2011

The BITA (the British Industrial Truck Association) Academy – created under a partnership between BITA and City of Bristol College – has been opened by Jack Lopresti MP.

BITA board member Bill Goodwin states that the new academy has been created to offer the only dedicated industrial truck apprenticeship scheme in the UK – leading to an IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) accredited forklift truck apprenticeship.

Apprentices pursuing the College's IMI Awards accredited diploma in FLT engineering can now also graduate with a BITA-branded 'IMI Awards Quality Assured' certificate, he says. Recruitment for apprentices starting in January 2012, has now begun.

"Until now, there hasn't been a course on offer that delivers all aspects of the skill set that BITA members are looking for in newly qualified engineers," explains Goodwin.

"Thanks to its 'pure FLT' course content, addressing both internal combustion and electric power sources, BITA Academy graduates will be equipped in the best possible way to work with the full range of products on the market," he adds.


As the Industrial Truck sector is actively seeking new blood, we are optimistic that the BITA Academy will deliver a win-win solution for young people seeking a rewarding career and BITA members seeking fully qualified lift truck engineers."

"The BITA Academy greatly enhances employment opportunities for graduates of the apprenticeship scheme and maximises the opportunities for retaining newly-skilled people within the sector," comments IMI national manager for England, Jon Douglass.

"As a trade association, BITA is able to offer a pooling scheme for its graduate apprentices. This will enable free movement of newly trained engineers between participating companies, giving apprentices the best possible chance of securing a job after completion of their course."

Brian Tinham

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