There are various training packages depending on your experience and is available online and on-site at your workplace. As an example, complete novice training, where you have no previous experience will take between three to five days depending on the number of people taking part. If it’s just you then it will be quicker, but if in a group then it will take longer so that everyone has a chance to go through all the theory and practical elements.
Health and Safety requires that all workers be trained and certified before operating a forklift, even if operating a forklift is only a small part of their job. Refresher training is also required at least every three years, even if the operator has not operated the forklift unsafely or been involved in an accident.
So if you want to get your training quicker then it may be worth seeking out independent training suppliers and courses.
How much does forklift operator certification cost?
Training costs anywhere between £100 for refreshers training, to £750 for complete beginners, but it’s worth shopping around or seeing if your employer can cover these costs. These prices include online training and certification, a forklift certification evaluation form for use in the company’s practical exam, and printed originals of the certificate and operator card. With the affordable cost of forklift certification, there is no reason to delay certification for yourself or your employees. Online forklift evaluation training allows you to become a certified forklift operator in compliance with health and safety requirements.
A forklift operator is a professional responsible for transporting heavy materials using industrial machinery and so it’s important that you are competent in your duties.
How long is the forklift training valid?
Although there isn’t a technical expiry date you will find that 3 years is the maximum gap you should have between your next refreshers training. A lot can change in that time and overconfidence or complacency can creep in.
Of course if you or an employee have had an accident, incident, or near miss then it will be prudent to undertake more training.