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.
Having sufficient forklift training will show potential employers you are competent and safe to drive a forklift, read our article on the fundamentals of Forklift safety 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 is someone qualified to drive a forklift, sometimes referred to as a fork truck, with the most common environment using forklifts, being warehouses and yards. The type of forklift you will use will depend upon the type of work, space, load, and environment you are operating in, and each forklift has unique advantages for all of these factors.
Forklift operators play a huge role in ensuring that business operations are completed effectively and efficiently.
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.
Comments (6)
Hi, I currently live in Nottingham and I would like to enquire about your forklift training program. I would like to learn Counterbalance and attain an FLT license. Please what will the entire process from training to license and everything in-between cost?
Hi,
We have training depots in Portsmouth, Otterbourne, Reading, Theale, Worthing and Havant, all capable of offering the FLT training you are referring to, however I would advise you to contact our team of advisors first to discuss your requirements as they will then be able to provide availability, dates and prices based on your prior experience etc.
You can contact our advisors on 02392 123 555 to talk through all your options.
I am interested in gaining my forklift licence. What financial help is available to help me with the course fees?
I am currently jobhunting for a warehouse role and I have 2 years experience with Counterbalance Forklift and Order-picker. I hold certificates from a refresher course.
Hi,
I would highly recommend speaking to our team directly on 02392 123 555 in this case as you have prior experience and this will likely help reduce the training time required, but our Forklift Training Advisors would need to discuss this with you prior to any booking. As for financial support, currently our Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (Level 2) Apprenticeship which can include the forklift training would be a great option if you wish to train through your current employer. If you are looking to train up to move on to a new role, you would need to find an employer willing to look at the apprenticeship route with you as these are only available to apprentices via their employer. We do not offer finance packages I’m afraid.
Did the online training course with Alison and obtained certificate. Would like a licence if possible please.
We recommend speaking to our team of advisors, who can discuss your requirements depending on your current experience.
You can contact our advisors on 02392 123 555 to talk through all your options.