Advice regarding FLT Certification

[The Nur]

Afternoon Chaps, I am not sure if this is in the right area but I am not sure where else it could be put.

I am thinking about getting a CPCS card and a forklift certificate to increase my employability a bit and would appreciate the input of somebody in the know. To be honest am having difficulty in figuring out where to start.

I have been looking at this website http://www.forklifttrainingwales.co.uk

Is it possible that I would be able to find an entry level job after obtaining the above or should I be focussing my efforts elsewhere/acquiring additional certification?

Apologies for the basic nature of the enquiry but I haven't been able to find anybody to speak to about it. I have got a couple of good email addresses to begin my enquiries but I would like to know that I am asking the right things and possibly gain the benefit of others personal experience before taking the first steps.

I am about to go walk the dog so it may be half hour or so before I can reply. Cheers in advance for any/all input

[The Nur]

Anybody? I would really appreciate some input here.

[jonstable]

My employer paid for mine, a B1 counterbalance forklift certificate, which covers me for the basic forklifts you find in most warehouses. I'd say it would be beneficial to employability as obviously it would be one less expense for a prospective employer to pay out for. I'd also suggest a basic first aid in the workplace course, as out of the many job applications we receive, nobody ever seems to have a first aid qualification.

[The Nur]

Thanks very much! I do intend on doing a first aid course but I suppose I am prioritising other things first.

Is there anything else I can do that, in your mind, might help?

[VidalBaboon]

I've never worked in a place that asked for specific experience of driving FLTs- only that you are licenced.

Even though I am licenced, I am still not allowed to operate the equipment here.

Usually, companies have an in-house trainer, or a training school will be booked for the day to bulk train key staff. Seeing that some of the licences (if you're going for more than one- I've got RE/RT/CB & TH) will cost quite a bit to get for very little financial reward at the end. It may be savvy to perhaps take a job as a part time warehouse operative & get them to put you through a licence, gratis.

Have you contacted CITB to ask what they think?

[The Nur]

VidalBaboon said:

I've never worked in a place that asked for specific experience of driving FLTs- only that you are licenced.

Even though I am licenced, I am still not allowed to operate the equipment here.

Usually, companies have an in-house trainer, or a training school will be booked for the day to bulk train key staff. Seeing that some of the licences (if you're going for more than one- I've got RE/RT/CB & TH) will cost quite a bit to get for very little financial reward at the end. It may be savvy to perhaps take a job as a part time warehouse operative & get them to put you through a licence, gratis.

Have you contacted CITB to ask what they think?

Thanks

You have sort of highlighted the reason why I am not entirely sure about whether this is an avenue I should be seriously considering, to be honest. My main reason for looking at it is something I could pay to be trained in relatively quickly that I might be able to get some work with. The problem being that, as you said, most employers will conduct that training themselves so me doing it on my own may be pointless and expensive.

I have not yet contacted CITB or the other couple of companies I have in mind as I have a couple of other things going on that may change the attitude of my enquiry. I signed on to the JSA yesterday in the hope that I may be able to get an apprenticeship. Until I hear back from them with an appointment to go down and have a bit of a chat I am putting my enquiries on hold for the moment. I'm not sure if this was an appropriate course of action or not, really.