Forklift Training - What to Look For in a Forklift Training Organistaion

There are only 2 predominant reasons people are looking to get Forklift Training. The first you want to get a forklift ticket and get a job. The second is that you, as a forklift operator, or your company are looking to get a refresher. Most companies that get refreshers for their forklift operators do so every 12 - 18 months and are usually done in bulk.

Now while there are only 2 predominate reasons people get Forklift Training, there are a number of different forklift training organisations and courses. So what should you look for?

Well, the great thing is now matter which state you live in, Australia has a national standard for load shifting equipment that covers forklift licences. This means that once you are trained, assessed and licenced you can operate a forklift in any state of Australia without weight restriction or limitations. Yes, you got it, a licenced person operate a forklift from 1 ton to largest available carrying up to 80 tons.

All forklift licence training and assessment must meet the national standards. Some providers of training are better than others so you should select your training organisation carefully - and hopefully we can help making that choice easier.

Forklift Refresher Training for Experience Forklift Operators
We’ll start with the “less involved” training, namely forklift operator refresher training. “Less involved” is not necessarily the most appropriate term as a forklift driver who is going back for refresher training has already long earned their stripes through years of forklift operation and training already.

Refersher training is can run from a few hours to 2 days. To ensure that you or your company meet the current legislative regulations always take the training where you feel confident that the training will succinctly cover all the mandatory requirements. You don’t want to be held responsible for something that should have been covered in the training.

To attended an experienced forklift operator training (in addition to the mandatory requirements to hold a licence) it is a must that you be able to provide evidence of your experience. This proof can be by way of logbook, assessment summary or statement of attainment from a registered training organisation.

Forklift Training For The Inexperienced (or Want to Start From Scratch)
These courses are open to anyone who wants to attend no matter what your level of experience is. That said, they are predominately aimed at people who have little to no experience.

The forklift training will usually cover:

• Forklift Operation Theory
• Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and Compliance
• Operational and Site safety
• Pre and Post Forklift Operation Checks
• Correct Procedures for Forklift Operations
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Working in Pallet Racking System
• Completing the Forklift Training Logbook
• Full Theory Assessment
• Full Practical Assessment

Some bonuses material might also include Training DVDs.

Depending on the course, it might be broken into formal training with a component of continued on the job training under the supervision of a licenced workplace supervisor. When the person undertaking the training is prepared for assessment, has completed the forklift training log book and the supervisor is confident with the learners ability on the job the learner can make arrangements for assessment.

Forklift Training Centres
Most forklift training companies have the option to of providing training onsite at your organisation (should your organisation be equipped) or at the training company’s own site.

There are benefits to both, however, to get onsite training at your organisation you will usually have to have 6-8+ people to go through the training at the one time. You will also have to have the facilities available for both the theory and practical portions of the training. To check to see if you meet the registered training organisations requirements for onsite training simply give them a call or drop them an email.

Under going training at the registered training organisations site takes away any need to worry about what to have or not have available when the trainer turns up. They have all the necessary facilities for conducting theory and will have a well setup area for all practical demonstrations, practice and assessment. The only challenge you have is getting yourself (or the people you booked in) to the location at attend the training.

Forklift Training Assessment
There are 2 components to forklift training assessment - theory and practical.

The theory assessment (in Queensland) consists of a 97 question closed book assessment. So no notes are allowed. The answers are to be written in English and you have a maximum of 2 hours to complete it. Oh and you have to get all of the questions correct to pass - yes, 100%. If your forklift training is adequate you should have little trouble in passing even though the pass mark is 100%.

The practical assessment will consist of you:

• Undertaking a detailed preoperation check
• Identifying hazards in the work area
• Plan work
• Negotiation obstacles
• Demonstratinging safe operations at all times
• Correct parking and security
• Shifting loads and racking / stacking in line with the National Load Shiftin Standard

Once again a 100% pass mark is required.

Once you have successfully completed your forklift training and assessment you will get 2 copies of your forklift licence assessment summary. This will usually be mailed to you or your organisation within a couple of weeks. Once you have your copies of your assessment summary simply lodge your forklift licence application at any participating Post Office (in Queensland) … and keep the other as an interim authority to operate a forklift until your forklift licence arrives.

For forklift training in Queensland and especially forklift training in Brisbane - your best bet is to check out AIMM Training.