by Bob Hayward | Mar 12, 2021 | Employment & skills, Training courses
Know where the Hazards Are to Avoid Them:
It’s important that all operators know the area they will be driving in well, as an unseen bump in the road can cause the vehicle to tip and result in, as well as damage to the vehicle.
- Be aware of ramps, lumps, bumps, slippery ground and uneven surfaces
- Avoid any loose materials, objects or flooring
- Know the layout, the designated routes, the junctions, the narrow sections, low ceilings, the ways in and out of loading bays, any special racking, and all exclusion zones
- Operators must be reminded of site rules, speed limits and safety guidelines frequently
High Quality Training
This is not just a sensible choice, but a legal obligation. As an employer you must ensure that their team are given all the training they need to safely and legally operate a forklift and keep themselves, their workmates and visitors to your site safe and protected from harm.
Operators who have received a training certificate, like that from the RTITB, and have been trained to operate each specific type of forklift should only be allowed to operate one.
Trained forklift operators will know how to do the job safely. They will have had to demonstrate that in a workplace or training arena evaluation by an accredited instructor.
Know the Common Forklift Hazards
Know the Stats. It’s important to know the dangers that come with using forklifts on loading docks and in warehouses. Keep these statistics in the forefront of everyone’s mind by discussing some of them in team meetings or daily huddles occasionally.
Remind operators of the most common hazards associated with forklifts.
- Unsecured loads may fall, crushing pedestrians or drivers.
- Forklifts may tip over, due to excessive speed, tight cornering or imbalanced loads
- Workers may fall if they stand on the forks
- Drivers may not see pedestrians, leading to collisions and fatal accidents
- Improper or missing floor marking may lead to accidents between forklifts and pedestrians
Stay Safe While Using A Forklift
Workers should do the following while behind the wheel to protect themselves and co-workers:
- Make sure the load is balanced and fully secure to prevent a forklift from tipping over
- Ensure both forks are as far under the load as possible before lifting
- Check for any overhead obstacles before stacking upwards
- Use ropes, straps and bindings to properly secure loads
- Do not overload the forklift
- Do not push a load with the forks
- Never exceed the maximum capacity of your forklift or attachments
- Always check the load carefully before moving off
- Drive with the load as low as safely possible
- Pay attention to posted speed limits and warning signs
- Always look in the direction you’re traveling; if a load blocks the view ahead, travel in reverse
- Steer clear of areas where forklifts are prohibited or restricted
- Keep an eye out for signs, floor marking, and other warnings for pedestrians and forklifts
- Use the horn at intersections and in areas where pedestrians may be present
- Facilities of any size should have clear forklift safety rules
- Provide high-viz workwear and the proper PPE for all staff entering the warehouse and wherever forklifts operate
These are just a few tips that will help you keep your workforce safe and ensure you get the most from your equipment.
For further information about high quality training – please contact us on 01793 975 353
by Bob Hayward | Mar 1, 2020 | Our News, RTITB, Training courses
In support of International Women’s Day on the 8th March, Key Performance Training are running a competition
1st Prize = Free Forklift
Novice Course worth £750
2nd Prize = A Free
Conversion Course worth £300
3rd Prize = A Free
Refresher Course worth £150
The theme
for the 2020 International Women’s Day campaign is #EachforEqual. An equal
world is an enabled world.
How to enter the competition
Take a photograph or selfie in front of a forklift truck with your arms in the position shown and add it to your social media account. This can be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. Remember to use ALL THREE hashtags #IWD2020 #EachforEqual #KPT and tag the relevant Key Performance Training Account on that platform, or that of David Gearon or Bob Hayward.
How the winner will be decided:
The winner will be the person whose social media post gets the most likes and shares. The photograph must be of the person who owns that social media account, they must have their arms in the position demonstrated, the post must contain all three hashtags and tag Key Performance or one of the two owners.
Why are
we doing this?
At Key Performance Training, we are choosing to challenge stereotypes, broaden perceptions, and seek to be a pathway to better equal employment opportunities.
In the last two years, only five of the 80 delegates who have become qualified forklift operators through Key Performance Training were ladies. There is no reason for forklift operating to be the preserve of our male colleagues. There is no reason that anyone, male or female, must be big, strong or bulky to operate a forklift. The fact is that Forklift Trucks are just as suitable for men and women to drive as are cars.
A career as
a Forklift driver is an underrated profession and often overlooked by women who
may not recognise the high demand for Forklift operators. Anyone over 16 can
drive forklift truck and earnings are above average for warehouse and logistic
roles. Forklift driving can be a great pathway into better employment for
everyone #EachforEqual
For more information contact Bob Hayward at bob.hayward@keyperformancetraining.co.uk
by Bob Hayward | Feb 28, 2020 | Employment & skills, Our News, RTITB, Training courses
The International Women’s Day 2020 campaign theme is #EachforEqual. An equal world is an enabled world.
At Key Performance, we are choosing to challenge stereotypes and broaden perceptions. We seek to be a pathway to better equal employment opportunities.
Anyone over 16 can drive a forklift truck. As the career employment opportunities are plentiful and earnings above average for warehouse and logistic roles. At £21,000 to £23,000 forklift driving can be a great pathway into better employment.
In the last two years, only five of our 80 trainees were ladies. These 80 delegates became qualified forklift operators through Key Performance Training and the vast majority went straight into paid work. This number, five from 80, is obviously not proportional to the population of people working in the logistics and warehousing industry. And yet there is no reason for forklift operating to be the preserve of our male colleagues. There is no reason that anyone, male or female, must be big, strong or bulky to operate a forklift. The fact is that Forklift Trucks are just as suitable for men and women to drive as are cars.
Job expansion in the manufacturing, warehousing and logistics sector looks promising for the economy. What does this news mean for the women out of work? Male workers have dominated the industrial workforce and have naturally gravitated towards these types of jobs, while women can easily take advantage of these job opportunities.
A career as a Forklift driver is an underrated profession and often overlooked by women. Many do not realise there is a high demand for Forklift operators. Operators drive Forklifts and use them carry heavy loads and stack pallets onto warehouse shelving or trucks. One can earn a respectable salary, opportunities for promotion. and enjoy flexible shifts as a Forklift operator. In order to secure employment, a training course and certification is mandatory but easy to obtain. A novice course takes only five days and you could be working the very next week…
So, to challenge that false assumption and in support of International Women’s Day Key Performance Training are putting on a LADIES ONLY forklift taster session. Friday 6th March at Unit 1 Headlands Trading Estate, Swindon, SN2 7JQ.
The free two-hour session has been designed to help people decide if they could operate a forklift truck and whether they could earn more as a forklift driver. We invite all ladies to come and try out some simple moves of both a Reach and Counterbalance Truck as well as to meet an Employment Agency to discuss the job opportunities locally right now.
For more information contact Bob Hayward or David Gearon at Key Performance Training #IWD2020 #EachforEquality
by Bob Hayward | Aug 30, 2019 | Employment & skills, Our News
Our Background
Key Performance Training (KPT) opened in February 2018 with a mission to be “A Pathway to Employment” initially using Forklift Truck Operator training. The idea is simple, either to enable someone who is not working to qualify with a much-needed skill and get “A Job” or enable someone on minimum wage as an unskilled worker to get a “Better Job” or help someone change “Career” KPT operates from a purpose-built high forklift training arena with two classrooms. The only such training arena in Swindon. Having established itself initially with forklift trucks KPT went on to run HGV Driver classroom training and now wishes to extend further into certificated training for the workplace; for instance, Manual Handling Equipment Training, First Aid Training and Health & Safety Training.
Business Development Executive Apprentice Job Description
The company is seeking to add a talented college-leaver as an apprentice to their sales team, to work closely with and learn from two serial entrepreneurs. The aim is to develop your potential so you can, once fully trained, lead the end-to-end sales interaction with prospects and customers as well as internally within KPT and its associated businesses. Provided you meet the standards you will achieve an NVQ Level 4 Sales Certification with the Association of Professional Sales (APS); a highly sort after qualifications in the sales industry Remuneration will be a basic of £8,500pa plus commission, during the 18-month apprenticeship. With the sales commission and bonuses paid for achieving pre-agreed targets, the On Target Earnings (OTE) should be £20,000 to £25,000 in your first year.
Ideal Person Profile – Does this describe you?
The ideal person will have plenty of drive and energy along with a strong desire to win and to lead. They want to come across as enthusiastic, dynamic, assured and opinionated as well as being firm in their convictions. They are quick to talk and act. They enjoy being at the heart of things, making decisions and organising people. They are likely to be able to influence others with a combination of a more powerful personality than most along with an ability to put forward convincing arguments in a verbally fluent way. Professional. Polished. Disciplined. Responsible. Self-critical. Formal. Logical. They will have high standards and be self-directed. They accept there is a right way to do things. Charming. Able to influence others and persuade others. They will have some natural commercial instincts, a nose for identifying commercial opportunities along with the collaborative mindset and the people skills develop ‘win-win’ partnerships. Naturally able to concentrate and perseveres with detail. Able to work toward objectives while remaining flexible. Someone who uses logic and objectivity in processing information Quick to make decisions. Does not worry much. Thick-skinned and down-to-earth.
Main Responsibilities
- Assisting with marketing activities, including organising special promotions, displays, and events to generate leads. Helping with Social Media, Email-campaigns, Mailshots, and leaflet drops
- Helping identify new prospects and learning to follow up leads generated by the marketing to land new clients
- Accompanying one of the experienced team members to joint sales visits to both introduce the company and its services as well as to gain their agreement to run training programmes. After training and some months of experience, you will do much of this yourself with the MD in support.
- Learn how to handle and resolve any customer complaints and feedback
- Learn how to analyse sales figures and trends, forecasting future sales to facilitate planning
- Maintaining awareness of market trends in the industry, understanding forthcoming customer initiatives, and monitoring competitors
Main Competencies Required
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
- Ability to network to reach the right decision-makers and to network through existing clients to gain new business
- Strong two-way communication skills. Can ask questions as well as present ideas fluently. Can persuade, influence and build the need for change within a prospect’s mind
- Excellent written communication skills
- Able to sell value over price and can differentiate from the competition
- Be resolute, bold and stubborn when required, focusing on results, tackling any problems or conflicts which get in the way, dealing with people professionally and effectively despite their feelings or importance
- Be alert to changing situations, gathering intelligence and insights to gain competitive advantage, showing flexibility in approach, adaptability in difficult circumstances and continuously strive to achieve a result
- Enjoy challenging situations and have the flexibility to work in an unstructured environment where there is freedom to act and the authority to make decisions
- Solve customer problems and implement appropriate remedial measures
- Actively participate in the internal company culture which dedicated to continuous improvement, challenging the status quo and developing best practice
- Can prioritise and work smart by being well-prepared and doing the required preparation and practice
To Apply: Please email your CV to bob.hayward@keyperformancetraining.co.uk
by Bob Hayward | May 22, 2019 | Employment & skills, Our News, RTITB, Training courses
At Key Performance Training, we are of course completely biased in our opinion, that a training course with us here will most certainly improve anyone’s life chances and ability to move forward. We consider that learning to be a Forklift Operator gets you onto the pathway to employment. It can be instrumental in getting to a job to start with. Any job for a new novice forklift truck driver is worth taking because it provides you with invaluable experience. Once you have six months or one year under your belt you can look for a better job because you know have a track record as a Forklift Driver. Once established in that better job you can start to build a career with further training and promotions. Any Job – Better Job – A Career; this ABC is the say of satisfying the need to improve self-worth which can only be got through a sense of achievement and personal growth.
Achievement and personal growth in turn can be pushed forward in leaps and bounds by choosing the right training course specifically tailored to you, it doesn’t matter what stage of your life you are at and it doesn’t really matter if your life’s ambition is to be a forklift truck driver or even to go on with further training to eventually become the trainer yourself, the fact is that training is truly the only way to improve your lot in life.
Training and more importantly the right training package will also give you personal confidence and the satisfaction of knowing that you have got not only the qualification, the actual bit of paper that says you have done it, but you have also applied yourself, made a decision and stuck with it until you obtained the end result.
Success measured how we do here at Key Performance Training is that it’s not so much where you end up more what you do every day all those little baby steps that add up to one giant leap for the improvement of your life.
Key Performance Training as specialists in this area have the skill set and techniques available to truly draw out of you the best Forklift Driver out of you that you can imagine. With Key Performance Training, even though there at tough tests to pass; both theory and practical – with Key Performance Training you never fail. Why? Because if you do not pass the first time we will continue to train you for free until you do pass.
Training and development is of course a fundamental part of any profession, not only does it help you improve your performance but it will allow you to perform better within your organisation thus helping your employer meet its own goals.
Even when you take you tri-annual refresher programmes, Key Performance Training will give you new skills making you as an individual more efficient at your job, in fact, it will make you truly more capable of handling situations that you would not necessarily have been confident in prior to taking one of our training courses.
Developing new skills within your own repertoire will also make you a much more valuable proposition to any new potential employer, putting you in the driving seat, quite literally, turning that first “Any Job” into a Better Job and then on into a Career.
