Forklift apprenticeship drive18 May 2011

A new apprenticeship for forklift truck engineers has been announced by the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), while the British Industrial Truck Association has separately committed to drive engineering apprenticeships in the market.

The FLTA has spent almost a decade developing an apprenticeship scheme that meets the engineering challenges presented when working on a forklift truck. Working with Retail Motor Industry Training (ReMIT) and North Warwickshire & Hinckley College, the FLTA has developed a course entitled 'Vehicle maintenance and repairs (lift trucks)' which is accredited by the Institute of Motor Industries.

FLTA chief executive David Ellison said: "It has been a marathon effort by all involved to devise an apprentice programme flexible enough to respond to the needs of the forklift truck industry, while also meeting shifting policy criteria.

"These days, lift trucks are almost unique in the level and sheer variety of engineering skills they demand, as well as the pace of innovation and improvement in the technology... I hope companies using forklift trucks will be delighted if their usual engineer arrives with an apprentice in tow – after all, it shows a forward-thinking company who has your long-term service in mind."

Separately, the British Industrial Truck Association has announced an initiative to attract new blood into the market, through better opportunities and apprenticeships.

BITA has committed to fund an industry apprentice manager to work with colleges and other trade associations to attract applicants to apprenticeship schemes.

BITA board member Bill Goodwin, sales director at Jungheinrich UK, is heading up BITA's industry recruitment initiative. He said: "BITA recognises the importance of attracting young people into our industry and we are committed to working with schools, colleges and the whole industry to improve the opportunities available. Our objective is to provide support and a point of contact between apprentices and operating companies in a bid to increase the number of applicants.

"Excellent resources are already available in the form of training courses for MHE apprenticeships, for example those offered by North Warwickshire & Hinckley College – including the FLTA's new course – and City of Bristol College; plus other colleges offering engineering courses.

"However, the principal issue for our industry is take-up rates. We need to see significant numbers of apprentices joining our sector to replace retiring employees if we want to reverse our current ageing profile. We believe that BITA can help by creating a management link, which does not currently exist, between the large companies and colleges to ensure that they are well enough informed and properly resourced to offer the most appropriate courses."

Laura Cork

Related Companies
Fork Lift Truck Association

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