Many individuals are finding it hard to land a job when companies are looking for qualified candidates for the position.
How do you then get the edge to be favored by a prospective employer? Well, you need to show proof that you are eligible for the position - you need a forklift license.
But you may still don’t know where to go to get the forklift license. It all begins in taking the training course.
The training course doesn’t take much of your time in completing it and it doesn’t hurt your pocket. In just a few hours and $100 in your pocket, you can become a certified forklift operator.
Now, let's start this by giving you the options to choose where to take the training.
Where Can You Take the Certification Course?
This is the most frequent question we hear from students is where to take a forklift certification. This endeavor could be worrisome to many but it doesn’t have to be. It only takes a day or less and a small amount of investment to get trained and certified.
Here, we give you the choices you can take to get your forklift license. Here are the three ways to receive your forklift training:
Taking the Online Certification
You may find private training companies that provide online certification. You just need an internet connection; you can then take the training anytime and anywhere at your own pace. It is a convenient way of getting certified; whether you are an individual or an employer, you’ll find this course suitable for you. If you want to take the online certification, find a school that provide such course.
Participating in Employer-Sponsored Training
When you are presently employed, it is the obligation of the company to provide you with such training. In the US, OSHA, as the leading authority, lays out standards for all businesses and individuals to follow. They monitor compliance by facilitating random company inspection. If the employer found to be violating the rules, they can be fined for thousands of dollars and depending on the severity, the employer could face criminal liability. The law is strict with good reason.
The beautiful aspect of taking the employer-sponsored training (it is being referred to as on-site training as well) is that the safety trainer can make appropriate modification to the course curriculum so that it matches with workplace condition, types of forklifts in the workplace, and behavior of the workers.
With on-site training, workers can become more familiarized with the safety procedures enforced by the company because the procedure can form part of the lectures. Another advantage of on-site training is that workers can have interaction with their superiors to voice out their concerns and issues at work.
- Why On-Site Forklift Training is the Best Choice to Take?
- Is it the Employer's Responsibility to Provide Forklift Training to Workers?
- Can You use Your Forklift Certification to Work in Other Company?
- Can You Use Your Forklift License to Work in Other State?
Attending a Course in the Training School
If you are not employed and don't have prior experience operating forklifts, the best option for you is to take a course in the training school.
The duty of the training school is to teach you how to drive forklifts in a safe and efficient way. The most important aspect when taking a training course is to be specific to the type of forklift you want to be trained on. The training course must be exact to the type of truck you want to operate.
The course is comprised of formal education and actual driving demonstration. A large fraction of the training deals with safe driving. Your classroom lectures will include power point presentation and video presentation.
After the course, you will need to pass written and practical tests. In the event you failed the certification tests, you can still retry to pass the tests.
There are two reasons why would you opt to register in a course at the training school.
First, if you are a beginner wanting to drive a forklift and intending to be certified to get accepted for a job. An individual can enroll in a training school, attend the 4-hour classroom lecture, pass the written examination and get your operating skills evaluated by the instructor, and when all is good, and you are adequately rated by the instructor, he will recommend you for certification. You will be given a certificate of training and operator card. You can show these documents to your prospective boss as your confirmation that you’ve completed the forklift training.
In this website, we’ve provided the directory of training schools where can you take the course. Contact them and inquire about your requirements. Ask about the cost of the training particulars, schedule and duration, application requirements, in some circumstances, inquire also if they can provide you job assistance after the training.
The second reason why would you enroll in a training school is because your company does not have such training facility and qualified trainer to conduct the training on-site. To comply with the law, the employer will send you to the school to receive the training there. As a setback, you will be away from work for a day or two. You may not get paid while off work attending the training.
You can read this guide to help you choose the training school: How to Choose the Best Forklift Training School?
Here are some more articles that could help you:
- How Long Does It Take to Complete the Training?
- How to Pass the Practical Test?
- How to Pass the Written Test?
- How Much Does It Cost You to Get a License?
- When Do You Need Forklift Retraining/Refresher Course
- What are the Requirements Before Taking the Training?
- What Are Your Work Responsibilities and Description?
- What To Do If You Lost Your Forklift License?
How Can You Take the Forklift Training Course?
The method you will choose may depend on your situation. If you are unemployed and want to shift to this career, you need to be enrolled at a school. If you’re currently working, ask your employer to arrange the training on-site. If you have a packed schedule and don’t have time to attend the training, you can avail the online course.
There you go, I’ve just explained important details where you can go to receive your training. I am looking forward for the best of your career as a forklift operator. Always keep in mind to be trained and stay safe!
For Employers, You Can Appoint Someone to be an In-House Trainer
According to OSHA, specifically in the 1910.178(l)(2)(iii), it states that “all operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence”.
Since OSHA did not define a set of requirements the trainer must have, you can appoint someone from your fleet who has the capability to deliver the training and who is knowledgeable to become an in-house trainer.
You will also require training kits such as training videos and certification cards/templates. You can buy this from Amazon:
Having a Forklift License is Essential
It is essential for someone to have a valid forklift license to maintain qualification for the current job and when seeking employment. Completion of the training course will give you in possession of this license.
Forklift license does expire. The renewal duration and process will depend on what country where you are. In the US, Canada and UK, it needs to be renewed at least once every three years to maintain the operator’s qualification. In Australia, on the other hand, the renewal is every five years.
Driving forklift without a valid license is illegal. You and/or your company could face a hefty penalty. It is utmost importance for those who are wishing to go into this profession to have a forklift license specific to the type of forklift they are intending to operate.
If you already have a forklift license because you were once a forklift operator, then see if it is still valid. If not, take a refresher course or take a new course.
For employers, it is your legal responsibility to supply your forklift operators the necessary training. Don’t falter giving them the training when needed. Trained employees are the best asset you can get.
The best approach for employers to deliver the training is by conducting it in an actual workplace (onsite). You can do this either by hiring an outside advisor or appoint someone as a trainer from the fleet of operators. If you have a small or large fleet of forklift operators, it is best for you to assign someone to become a permanent in-house trainer.
Forklift license is given to successful individuals who have completed such course. The forklift license is solid evidence that they had been properly trained and certified in accordance with the current regulation.
The license has to indicate important information such as names of the trainee and trainer, dates of the training, issuance and expiration dates, type of forklift the student is certified on, name and address of the company/school that conducted the training, and other vital information that may be deemed necessary.
Here is a video that explains the requirements, contents of the course, different characteristics of forklifts, safety precautions, OSHA regulations, etc:
Learn More About the Training
A forklift license is required in every state, and it is a good idea to get one if you plan on operating a forklift and to increase job prospect. There are a few ways to get a forklift license, if you're not presently employed. You can take a training course at a community college or vocational school near your location, OSHA has its own standards that sets how the training is to be conducted.
There are a few places that offer forklift certification and training. Many companies that use forklifts require certification from their employees, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide such training to their operators. There are also many private certification companies that offer onsite training; this method of training is the best recommended for employers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all forklift operators be certified.
What are the Requirements According to OSHA
In order to get your forklift license, you will need to complete a training course that covers the classroom training, demonstration of operating a forklift, written and performance assessment and certification.
The course will cover topics such as how to start and stop the forklift, how to move the forklift forward and backward, how to raise and lower the forks, and how to turn the forklift.
After completing the training course, you will be able to take a written test and a practical test. Once you pass both tests, you will be issued a forklift certification. Successful trainees will be given with certificate of training completion and operator card. These credentials what most people referred to as the "license."
How Can I Prepare for the Forklift License Exam?
If you want to pass the certification tests, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, you should become familiar with the material that will be covered on the exam. You can find this information online or in study materials that are handed to you by the instruction. Next, you should practice operating a forklift. This can be done by taking a training class. Finally, you should take the time to study for the exam. This means taking practice quizzes and doing research on the topics that will be covered. By taking these steps, you will be well prepared for the forklift license exam.
The license is also sometimes referred to as the Powered Industrial Truck, or PIT, license. In order to get your OSHA forklift license, you will need to take and pass a written exam as well as a practical skills test. The written exam will test your knowledge of forklift safety and operation, and the practical skills test will require you to demonstrate your ability to safely operate a forklift.
By preparing for the exams, you can decrease the chance of failing the the tests.
What are the Benefits of Having a Forklift License?
A forklift license allows an individual to operate a forklift in a warehouse or other industrial setting. A forklift is a type of lifting device that consists of a platform that can be raised or lowered, as well as two forks that are used to pick up and move heavy objects, Forklifts are typically used in settings where there is a lot of heavy lifting to be done, such as in warehouses or factories. hence it is important that every operator who operates these machines must be properly trained and certified.
There are a few benefits of having a forklift license. First, it allows an individual to be able to operate a forklift, which can be very useful in settings where there is a lot of heavy lifting to be done. Second, a forklift license can help an individual get a job in a warehouse or other workplaces that utilize these trucks. And third, a forklift license can help an individual become certified in forklift operation, which can be beneficial for career advancement.
How Can I Find a Forklift Training Course?
There are many ways to get a forklift license. One can take a course at a community college or technical school, or one can get certified through an online program. There are also private companies that offer forklift training. The best way to find a training course is to search online or ask around at local businesses. Once you have found a course that interests you, make sure to research the company or instructor to make sure they are reputable.
Let me warn you when taking an online program, this course only covers the classroom/theoretical requirement. Completing the training online doesn't make your fully certified, you still have to do practical training and be assessed - this can be done in the workplace by an in-house trainer.
Successful completion of an online forklift certification program will prepare you to take the written and practical exams required to obtain your forklift license. If you would like to take an online forklift training course, click here to see the courses.
To Conclude This
Forklift license is important. It is something you need to have in your pocket every time you operate forklifts. To have this credential spend some time to complete the certification course.
Completing the course is a perfect way of starting your career as a forklift operator.
