Unless forklift truck (FLT) technicians are trained to a high degree of competency to carry out their roles, it is generally recognised that the industry will be left all the poorer. Yet, in the absence of any existing and binding legal standard to frame exactly how that competence should be delivered and maintained, what structures have been put in place to ensure that this competence is delivered?
It was in recognition of the need for FLT technicians to have the essential skills and knowledge to carry out their roles that BITA (British Industrial Truck Association) and FLTA (Fork Lift Truck Association) established F-TEC, to deliver accredited, supported apprenticeship training to the industry. In fact, it delivers all the engineer training for the whole of the industry, points out F-TEC’s managing director Karl Baum (inset, p21). “Working with small businesses and major manufacturers alike, our whole ethos is to provide top-quality apprentice training that will produce competent engineers for their organisations.”
This, says F-TEC, is why it launched Pro-TEC, the professional register of FLT technicians, and the online assessment tool, F-TEC Benchmark. “The first of its kind, Pro-TEC promises to be the definable skills standard recognised in the forklift industry,” states Baum. “Created specifically for FLT technicians and engineers, it will boost consistency throughout the industry with a nationally approved set of standards. Pro-TEC will help employers to recruit with total confidence.”
TRAIN AND RECRUIT
Both BITA and the FLTA are committed to delivering training (in fact, the two associations have recently agreed to explore plans for a potential merger). As Tim Waples, FLTA CEO, comments: “The industry, for many years, has relied on light vehicle qualifications for FLT engineers, but now we have an industry-specific register that will be hugely valuable when businesses are looking to recruit, knowing they are recruiting to an accredited industry level.”
F-TEC Benchmark is widely regarded as a reliable recruitment and benchmarking tool for the FLT industry; moreover, F-TEC Benchmark runs online and is confidential, says F-TEC’s Baum. Employers, engineers, manufacturers and technicians can all access this new tool. “Users answer randomly-selected questions covering health and safety, as well as technical knowledge. Once completed, users are assessed as being at either Level 2 or Level 3, or will receive tailored advice on their further training needs. Successful users are also invited to join Pro-TEC.”
Apprenticeships also play a big role at F-TEC and, with a 98% pass rate, it’s clear to see how committed F-TEC is to its training, apprentices and programmes. But how important does Baum believe the apprenticeship training route is in helping to ensure continuity of success?
“In our industry, more than 90% of senior managers started their careers as apprentices,” he replies. “That is a telling statistic and one that we would like to see maintained as we move forward.
“We’re offering engineers for the future. Wherever there is a gap in our industry, where training is required, F-TEC is always striving to develop programmes to offer to the industry.”
SCHEME STRUCTURE
So, how exactly is the FLT training structured? The scheme starts at Level 2 – a two-year programme. On successful completion, there is the opportunity for apprentices to progress to Level 3, delivered over one year. (All programmes are accredited by the IMI – Institute of the Motor Industry.)
The two levels of training are wide-ranging, starting with the IMI Intermediate Apprenticeship Lift Truck Maintenance and Repair Qualification (Level 2). “This programme provides the essential knowledge and competence for service technicians working on a range of lift trucks,” Baum explains. “The programme is fully supported, and apprentices will have a login for an electronic training programme (e-portfolio) that has been specifically designed to go alongside the qualification; and the apprentices’ competence qualification will be uploaded to their e-portfolio.”
The assessment of this programme is through online multiple-choice testing; skills assessments in the workplace by F-TEC assessors; written assignments; and competence assessments in the workplace by F-TEC assessors.
This programme, delivered by F-TEC as an apprenticeship programme, includes the VRQ Diploma, while also combining the VCQ (vocational competence qualification), and it is delivered over a two-year period, with on- and off-the-job training. The off-the-job training consists of five one-week training blocks per year over the two years. The work-based assessments are carried out by F-TEC assessors on a 10-week schedule.
The technical units cover knowledge, competence and skills across a wide range of requirements, from the automotive environment to routine lift truck vehicle maintenance, and from removing and replacing lift truck mechanical handling, chassis units and components to identifying and agreeing motor vehicle customer service needs.
On completing this intermediate qualification, the apprentice engineer can then progress on to the IMI Advanced Apprenticeship Lift Truck Maintenance and Repair Qualification (Level 3), which is more diagnostic-focused and delivered over one year. This programme provides the knowledge and competence for service technicians working on a range of lift trucks. Components of the Level 3 framework are similar to Level 2, but are progressively more challenging. Much like Level 2, the programme includes the VRQ Diploma and also combines the VCQ. Level 3 is delivered over a one-year duration, with on- and off-the-job training. F-TEC also provides accredited courses at Level 4, designed to expand engineer’s knowledge and increase diagnostic ability to maximise efficiency.
OVER AND ABOVE
F-TEC’s services also go beyond just training. “We can also assist with recruitment to help source the right apprentice,” says Baum. “We ensure our training programme is managed to a high standard, so any F-TEC partner will be made fully aware of the performance of their apprentices.
“On most occasions, we are able to obtain government funding or levy payments to help towards the cost of the training. Where an organisation takes on someone under 18 years of age, it is likely to attract the most government funding support; and we can help secure government grants of up to £1,000 for companies with fewer than 50 employees looking to take on an apprentice aged 16-18 years.”
BOX OUT: SOE backs rigorous self-regulation
While the SOE (Society of Operations Engineer) works closely with Toyota, Jungheinrich and many other organisations to accredit operating standards and procedures, this does not extend to FLTs. The SOE does provide a three-year Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Workshop Accreditation to audit, independently, the working conditions to ensure high standards.
That said, in the commercial vehicle world, “irtec has been adopted as an industry standard, because there was no requirement for a bus and coach or HGV technician to prove their competence – or at least in the smaller/medium-sized organisations that do not have internal systems of procedure set up”, points out an SOE spokesperson. “Again, there is some concern that, as the shortage of drivers/technicians becomes more problematic for operators, testing of levels of competence will become lax.” SOE encourages industry to adopt stringent self-regulation practices, given the number of incidents and apparent lack of regulation: on average, three people are seriously injured and hospitalised in incidents involving FLTs each day, according to the FLTA.
The four accrediting bodies for operators forklift (but not for maintenance), backed by the Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA), are: AITT – Association of Industrial Truck Trainers; ITSSAR – Independent Training Standards Scheme & Register; NPORS – National Plant Operators Registration Scheme; and RTITB – formerly the Road Transport Industry Training Board.