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How you can use eLearning to get agency workers job-ready for safe forklift operations

Blogs | 11th Nov 2021
As the skill shortage continues, placing agency workers into key lift truck operator and warehouse operative roles is a necessary way to alleviate some of the pressure felt across the logistics industry right now, particularly with seasonal peak demands ahead. A common obstacle experienced by employers and recruitment agencies is having people available for the jobs, who don’t have up-to-date operator qualifications.

Safety and compliance must always be the main priority in a lift truck operation and having any personnel, whether temporary agency workers, or permanent employees, operating a forklift or other materials handling equipment (MHE) without the correct qualification is never an option. It is putting the individual operator, other employees, and the operation at serious risk.

The only way to tackle this is to train lift truck operators as quickly and efficiently as possible to get them compliant, work-ready, and onsite when needed. But how can you, as a recruitment agency, carry out training quickly and ensure there is no compromise on compliance or quality, prior to putting them into a new role?

Online lift truck training with RTITB

During lockdown, there was a rise in using eLearning to refresh operator skills or deliver novice forklift operator theory training.

Online training, or eLearning, is an effective way to deliver training that fits around the individual’s schedule. They won’t have to wait for course dates to be released, or spend time travelling to a dedicated training centre, and can complete the training at a pace to suit them, which means they can be job-ready sooner. What’s more, candidates may even be able to fit training around other job placements.

To retain staff, now, more than ever, it is also important for recruitment agencies and employers to show all permanent employees and temporary workers, that they matter, by providing the comprehensive, engaging training that is needed to carry out the job safely and effectively, and in a way that suits them.

Fast refresher training online

For candidates that are qualified lift truck operators, but whose skills are not quite up to scratch, or qualifications have lapsed, RTITB eLearning refresher programs can help top up knowledge.

Refresher courses can be delivered quickly online, with candidates completing their lift truck theory training anywhere, anytime, and at their own pace so they can be confidently placed in the right role, as quickly as possible.

All RTITB eLearning courses are backed by RTITB so recruitment agencies and employers can be reassured of quality and compliance with HSE guidelines.

A unique approach to lift truck eLearning from RTITB

For novice operators, the award-winning eTruck UK is a unique and innovative training tool that delivers forklift and reach truck theory training completing online.  This can reduce classroom training time, and time lost out the business, by up to two days, as the theory part of the training can be completed before attending practical training. Using digital storytelling to increase training effectiveness it is genuinely engaging as it tells a story while imparting safety knowledge.

An eTruck Refresher option is also now available, which can enable refresher training for three counterbalance lift truck operator candidates to be completed in the time it usually takes an Instructor to train just one. Just as for novices, it encourages real behaviour change by exploring the reasons behind operator behaviour as well as relevant theory. Request a demo today.

Always check agency staff credentials

Remember! Even if a candidate appears to have completed suitable training for the job in the past, it’s important to always check that they have the right qualifications before issuing an Authorisation to Operate. This helps ensure safety, while also supporting compliance.

RTITB now makes this easier than ever, by issuing operators with eCards, that can be checked to quickly identify the operator and ensure the person named on the training certificate is one and the same.

If you’re a recruitment agency, ensure your agency workers are skilled and knowledgeable about the role they are applying for. Use RTITB eLearning to help employers fill vacancies quickly with fully trained lift truck operators while staying safe, compliant, and operational.

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