Training is an essential factor for anyone that operates Material Handling Equipment (MHE). Though, not all training is created or delivered equally. Businesses can choose from thousands of providers working to a wide range of training standards, meaning quality and service can fluctuate from one provider to the next.
Fortunately, in the UK, the Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA) for Workplace Transport was created to set and maintain professional testing standards for MHE, ensuring consistency and uniformity. Those delivering courses accredited by an ABA member body (AITT, RTITB, ITSSAR, NPORS, Lantra) offer verification that the training provided will meet all the required standards for safety and compliance.
The accreditation scheme is certainly popular – in 2023 alone, ABA members issued over 100,000 counterbalance and reach truck certificates. However, there is still a proportion of businesses in the UK who continue to opt for unregulated options.
For anyone who is in two minds, we recently surveyed a number of businesses using forklift trucks and asked those choosing to provide their operators with accredited training exactly why they decided to go down this route…
Confidence in quality
With the biggest score, 69% of those offering accredited training to operators said a reason for doing so was confidence in quality. Training accredited by ABA member bodies is delivered by registered, insured instructors from regularly audited providers to ensure all required industry standards for training and testing are met.
Not only can you rest assured that you’re providing staff the necessary skills and knowledge to stay safe, accredited training helps to ensure you remain on the correct side of the law, with standards aligned to the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice for Rider operated lift trucks (L117) and all relevant legislation.
Training of this standard enables operators to carry out their jobs safely and efficiently, while providing those overseeing operations with the confidence that they have provided them all the relevant skills and knowledge for competent performance.
External verification
Next, 65% of those providing accredited training cited external verification as a reason why. The assurance that training delivered to your operators has been independently confirmed to meet all requirements and registered with a leading accrediting body provides peace of mind to those responsible for operations.
Accredited courses give confidence that, should any aspect of training or certification be scrutinised, you will be able to verify what training took place and when, as providers must ensure a clear audit trail from start to finish.
Investment in people
Results also showed that 60% of those choosing accredited training identified investment in people as a reason for doing so.
By providing your operators with all the skills and knowledge they need, you are investing in them, and in your business. Not only will they be trained to fulfil their roles safely and in line with all relevant legislation, but they will be more efficient, as there is reduced risk of costly accidents and disruption.
Your investment in them may also foster loyalty, boosting your retention rates and limiting recruitment costs, which is great for your bottom line, as well as your team.
Of course, those are not the only benefits. Our survey also uncovered that some opt for accredited training for peace of mind, because it ensures that courses include the latest updates, as well as for insurance purposes, amongst other reasons.
Regardless of the justification for choosing accredited training – whether it’s because they need to ensure that they meet requirements or because they understand it’s value – a huge majority (93%) of those we surveyed that were currently providing training to these standards, believed it benefitted their operators.
Accredited training provides assurances not found elsewhere
Ultimately, accredited training provides businesses with assurances not found elsewhere. As we’ve seen, providers delivering accredited training are regularly audited, and their courses registered, so that training is checked, logged and can be verified. This provides quality and standardisation that are not required of non-accredited training.
Accredited training, registered with a member of the ABA, not only offers you assurances in terms of safety and compliance, the knock-on effects include efficient operators, a reduced risk of accidents and costly damage, and simple ways to verify completed training.
Taking the benefits into account, accredited training is a cost-effective way to provide peace of mind that you are looking after your team and your business.
You can be assured that training carried out by Mentor will meet, if not exceed, all relevant industry standards. For further details on the accredited training that we provide, please contact us.
You can download our full Forklift Safety Insights Report, which contains data on accreditation and other key topics, here.
