by Rachel Gearon | Nov 24, 2022 | Employment & skills, Our News
Are you out of work? Are you working but aren’t happy with your current job? Have you always wondered what driving a forklift might be like? If any of these are true for you, then we can help.
At Key Performance Training, we firmly believe that a training course with us here will most certainly change your life. How do we know this? Because we see it every week when people leave us and start new jobs. We’re not just a training company – we help people get onto a pathway to employment.
There is a national shortage of forklift drivers, and there are lots of opportunities in the Southwest of England currently for forklift operators. Companies are willing to take on newly trained operators more than ever before, so your new skills can quickly enable you to take control of your future.
We believe in ABC – Any job – Better job – Career.
- Any job for a new novice forklift truck driver is worth taking because it provides you with invaluable experience
- Once you have some experience 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
By investing in yourself, you can improve your self-worth which leads to a sense of achievement and personal growth. 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 best way to improve your life.
Training gives you personal confidence and the satisfaction of knowing that not only have you got the qualification and the bit of paper that says you have done it, but you also have the knowledge that you applied yourself, made a decision and stuck with it until you obtained the end result.
It’s not so much where you end up, but every day taking all those little baby steps that add up to one giant leap for the improvement of your life.
Here at Key Performance Training, we can give you the new skills to make you a much more valuable proposition to any new potential employer, putting you in the driving seat, quite literally!
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information.
by Rachel Gearon | Oct 20, 2022 | Employment & skills, Industry news, Training courses
The UK has seen an increased demand for Pivot Steer operators, and this looks likely to continue.
There has been a 23% increase in Pivot Steer operator training compared to pre-pandemic levels, as employers look to create high density racking in their premises and maximise the efficiency of their operations.
The Pivot Steer, due to it’s ability to turn in very tight spaces, offers the best option for these types of environments but as an articulated machine, it’s very different to ‘standard’ counterbalance lift trucks, so different operator training is needed, even for experienced operators.
Our Pivot Steer Conversion course covers the basic principles of Pivot Steer operation – such as manoeuvring, stability fundamentals, stacking and destacking.
“Most Pivot Steer trucks are used to work with loads in high density racking systems. Here, there may be big differences in the tasks required and lift configurations,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB. “It is the responsibility of the employer to deliver training that applies to the specific situation that the operator will be working in, accounting for the complexities of the tasks at hand, and the specific type of equipment that will be used in the live environment.”
So if you’re looking to convert your existing certificate to one of these sort-after trucks, we’re delighted to confirm that courses are now available. Even better, if you book and attend a course in 2022, you can save 22% off the cost of the course!*
*Normally £285 plus VAT (£342 including VAT) – book a course for 2022 for £222.30 plus VAT (£266.76 including VAT). Quote “KPTPIVOT22” to use this offer.
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information.
by Rachel Gearon | Oct 13, 2022 | Employment & skills, Our News, Training courses
Musculoskeletal disorders still account for an alarming rate of absenteeism in the UK workforce, with most of these injuries associated with poor manual handling.
Employers are losing numerous days of resource each year, so why not invest in manual handling training to keep your people safe and reduce injuries and absenteeism?
It’s never been simpler – with the RTITB’s eLearning Manual Handling in Transport, Warehousing and Logistics course. This course is perfect for anybody who manually lifts goods, or pushes/pulls equipment in warehouses, yards, supply chain and logistics operations, and distribution centres, as well as those wishing to learn about the fundamentals of safe manual handling in the workplace.
This course can be accessed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection and can be used on multiple platforms such as tablets, laptops and PCs/MACs. Candidates simply log on and work their way through the course, and it should take no longer that 5 hours to complete.
This relevant and engaging course is a simple, cost effect and quick way to significantly reduce absenteeism and make sure you’re ready for the busy season ahead.
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information or to book a course.
by Rachel Gearon | Oct 6, 2022 | Employment & skills, Training courses
Forklift driving is a career path where you are constantly learning and acquiring new skills as you become more experienced. Obtaining your forklift licence is just the beginning of your journey. So how can you be a better forklift operator?
Never Skip Checks
Forklift trucks can be extremely dangerous machines to operate. Always check the forklift truck over before starting a shift, even if a driver has just been using it immediately before you. We all know the feeling of a manic Monday morning, but it is vital that you take the time to go through a safety checklist before operating a forklift, each and every time.
Be Disciplined About Distractions
It’s always the tips that sound so obvious that are the easiest to disregard. It seems clear to say that drivers should avoid any and all distractions while on the truck, but being disciplined about distractions can be easier said than done. Maintaining focus at all times is paramount to forklift truck driving safety, both for you and for those around you.
Keep Yourself Warm
As we enter the cold months ahead, be aware that driving in cold conditions dramatically reduces your reaction times, so it’s best to make sure you are dressed appropriately for both the weather and warehouse conditions. This is especially important if your work takes you outside. Layers that can be easily added to over the course of the day are an ideal solution, and could make all difference in the safety of your forklift operating.
Ask For Help
It can sometimes be difficult to ask for help, but in forklift truck driving, there are no stupid questions. Always communicate, always make sure, and always double check. It is better to ask and eliminate all doubt, and all safety risks along with it. This way, you are in total control of the safety of your workplace.
Contact david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk or call 01793 975353 for further advice or information.
by Rachel Gearon | Sep 29, 2022 | Employment & skills, Training courses
Be prepared for the seasonal rush!
If your business is already feeling the effects of staff shortages, it could be even tougher during the peak season coming up. Perhaps you’re already recruiting temporary / seasonal staff to support your operation?
If that sounds familiar, now is the time to upskill your workforce and make sure your staff are trained and ready to respond to the demand.
We offer novice, experienced, refresher and conversion courses on counterbalance, reach and pivot steer forklift trucks, as well as first aid, fire marshal, manual handing and health and safety courses, so make sure your business is in good shape for the weeks to come.
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information.
#keyperformancetraining #forklifttraining #firstaidtraining #firemarshaltraining #manualhandlingtraining #h&straining #workplacecourses #RTITB
by Rachel Gearon | Sep 15, 2022 | Employment & skills, Industry news, Training courses
Operating a forklift looks straightforward. In fact, many people believe that if you can drive a car, you can drive a forklift. But it isn’t that simple. Operating a forklift requires an entirely different driving style to any other vehicle, which is only taught with specialist training. To help clear any rumours you might have seen on social media, here’s the most common misconceptions about driving a forklift that you need to know before starting your training.
You need to have a driver’s license
It might sound strange, but you don’t need any kind of specialist license to operate a forklift. That includes a driver’s license, so even if you can’t drive a car, you can still apply to be a forklift operator. If you attend regular training sessions to help you understand how to use the machinery safely, you’ll be good to go.
Forklifts are just like driving a car
Forklifts have four wheels and an engine, so it must be like driving a car, right? Wrong. That’s about as far as the similarities go, which is why you need to attend a training course to learn the ins and outs of forklift operation. Unlike any other vehicle, a forklift uses its rear wheels to steer. They also have a three-point suspension system, which means they handle very differently from any car, van, or lorry you might drive. If a forklift isn’t driven in the correct way, there’s an increased danger of swinging out and causing damage or injury.
Forklift training is just learning to drive forwards
Though you’ll learn how to safely drive a forklift forwards, that isn’t the entirety of the training course. You’ll find that much of your training will be spent driving in reverse, with professional instruction and practice helping you to move through the warehouse safely.
You’ll also be taught how to drive with a load on the front of your forklift and how to carry out the essential safety checks before climbing into the driving seat.
Forklift training takes a long time
Despite the many components to forklift training, a course can be done in just 3-5 days. This allows enough time to cover the theory, technique, and safety before focusing on the practical driving time.
So, if you’d like more advice on forklift training, please get in touch today.
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information.
