There is no doubt that successfully operating a forklift truck requires a great amount of know-how and dexterity, and this can sometimes seem daunting to those with no experience. However, this need not be the case, as an RTITB Counterbalance Lift Truck operator training course will give you all the skills you need to operate a truck safely and efficiently. But, before attending a course, you will probably have lots of questions. Here we answer some of your most popular questions:
“IS THE TRAINING COURSE ALL JUST DRIVING A TRUCK?”
No. You can expect a mixture of practical and theory training – a lot of candidates expect just the practical element of training e.g. “how to drive a truck” but there is also a theory element which covers topics such as legislation, causes of accidents, operators’ safety code, and stability characteristics of the truck.
“WILL I BE GIVEN ONE-TO-ONE INSTRUCTION ON MY COURSE OR COULD THERE BE OTHERS ON THE SAME COURSE?”
RTITB forklift courses are restricted to a maximum of 3 people, with one instructor and one truck (a 3:1:1 ratio). RTITB accredited training providers cannot accept any more than that on the course and cannot instruct on more than one truck at a time. The course is designed to ensure that all course members are involved at all times; when it’s not your turn to drive you’ll be observing and learning from someone else driving whilst receiving information and feedback from the instructor. All RTITB instructors are highly trained and will make sure you are engaged at all times during your training course.
“WILL THE TRUCK/LOADS I WILL USE ON MY TRAINING COURSE BE THE SAME AS I SEE IN MY WORKPLACE?”
The resources used by an RTITB approved training provider to deliver an FLT course have to meet the RTITB criteria. RTITB training criteria has been designed to simulate a variety of different workplace scenarios. However, not every scenario can be covered and there may be some unique differences between what you experience during your training and what awaits you back at your workplace, but don’t worry, your training course will give you all the basics you need to operate a counterbalance lift truck and when you get to your job you will just need a little more information, some informal specific job training and some practice.
“I’M QUITE AN EXPERIENCED OPERATOR, HOW LONG WILL MY COURSE BE?”
If you have been trained and tested before, you can do a 1 day refresher course (as long as you show your training provider your certificate). If you have been operating a truck for a long time but have never been formally trained and tested you are eligible to do a shorter 3 day course. The RTITB accredited training provider you choose will be able to recommend the best course duration for you. Everyone learns at a different pace and picks things up faster/slower than others, so it is important that your course duration suits you and your needs.
Last year over 42,000 people completed and passed RTITB counterbalance lift truck courses, achieving their internationally recognised RTITB Certificate of Basic Training. If there’s any other questions you’d like answered, or to start your training journey, visit our website to book your forklift training course or give us a call on +44 (0) 1952 520200