Even the Instructor Needs Training! Tim Goes Back to School

It's not every day that I find myself on the other side of a training course!

Normally, I'm the one explaining how a forklift works, demonstrating manoeuvres, asking questions and keeping a watchful eye on the trainees.

But recently, it was my turn to head back into training.

I travelled from the Isle of Wight up to Phoenix Training in Wellingborough to complete my five-year ITSSAR forklift instructor re-registration.

And I'm pleased to say I've successfully completed it!

It was a cracking week, with a great company, a brilliant group of people and plenty of opportunities to brush up on the skills that are such an important part of my job.

Hang On – Instructors Have to Do Training Too?

They certainly do!

One of the things people don't always realise is that being a qualified forklift instructor isn't simply a case of passing a course once and being set for life.

As an ITSSAR-registered instructor, I need to maintain my professional registration, which includes completing a re-registration process every five years.

And that's exactly how it should be.

Forklift instructors have a responsibility to teach people how to operate machinery safely, correctly and confidently.

We're also responsible for assessing whether trainees have demonstrated the knowledge and practical ability required.

So it's only right that our own skills and instructional standards are checked regularly.

After all, if I'm expecting my trainees to demonstrate safe operating practices, I should be able to demonstrate them myself!

Five Days at Phoenix Training

The course took place at Phoenix Training in Wellingborough, where I spent the week alongside a great group of people.

The re-registration process is designed to check that instructors continue to meet the required standards.

It covers the important elements of forklift instruction, including practical operating skills, teaching techniques, demonstrations and assessment procedures.

For someone who's been delivering training for over 15 years, it's a useful opportunity to revisit the fundamentals and look at how you're delivering your courses.

It's easy to become comfortable doing something you've done thousands of times.

But that doesn't mean there isn't room to improve.

Sometimes, having somebody else observe your work or hearing how another instructor approaches a particular subject can give you a fresh perspective.

And that's one of the things I enjoy about courses like this.

There's always something to learn, no matter how long you've been doing the job.

Back Behind the Controls

Of course, it wouldn't be a forklift instructor course without spending some time behind the controls!

As you can see from the photos, there was plenty of practical work involving counterbalance forklift trucks, pallet racking and manoeuvring exercises.

These are the sorts of activities I regularly teach during my own forklift courses on the Isle of Wight.

The difference this time was that I was the one being assessed!

It's a useful reminder of how trainees can feel when they're trying to concentrate on a task while somebody watches their every move.

Whether you're a complete novice or an experienced instructor, nobody particularly enjoys making a mistake with an assessor standing nearby!

But that's part of the process.

It's about demonstrating that you can operate safely, explain what you're doing and maintain the standards expected of a professional instructor.

And I'm happy to report that everything went well.

A Great Group Makes All the Difference

One of the best parts of the week was the people.

I've always said that the people you're training with can make a big difference to how enjoyable a course is.

And this was certainly a good bunch.

A special mention goes to Paul, our instructor, who delivered a great course and made the week both informative and enjoyable.

And thanks to Rob, Jay, Matt, Lloyd and Rui for the company throughout the week.

There was plenty of discussion, shared experience and the usual bit of banter along the way.

When you've got a group of people who are interested in what they're doing and happy to share their knowledge, it makes for a much better learning environment.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending the week with everyone.

Thanks again to the whole team at Phoenix Training for looking after us.

Why Does Instructor Re-Registration Matter to Employers?

If you're a business owner or manager arranging forklift training for your employees, you might reasonably wonder why any of this matters to you.

The answer is quite simple.

The quality of your employees' training depends, in part, on the knowledge, competence and professionalism of the person delivering it.

Forklift trucks are incredibly useful pieces of equipment, but they can also present serious risks if operated incorrectly.

Proper training is about much more than teaching somebody how to drive forwards, reverse and pick up a pallet.

It's about helping operators understand load stability, safe manoeuvring, pedestrian safety, pre-use checks and the limitations of their equipment.

It's also about making sure they can apply that knowledge in real workplace situations.

Regular instructor re-registration provides an additional level of reassurance that the person delivering your training continues to meet the relevant professional standards.

For me, it's not just about keeping a registration current.

It's about taking pride in the quality of the training I provide.

Bringing That Experience Back to the Isle of Wight

Now that I've successfully completed my five-year ITSSAR instructor re-registration, it's back to doing what I enjoy most – helping people develop the skills they need to operate workplace equipment safely.

Through Wight Training Services, I deliver practical forklift and plant machinery training across the Isle of Wight.

Most of my courses are carried out at customers' own premises, using their own equipment wherever possible.

This approach means trainees can learn in a familiar environment, working with the machinery and conditions they're likely to encounter in their everyday jobs.

I provide a range of courses, including novice training, experienced operator training, safety refreshers and conversions.

And while I've been doing this for more than 15 years, I still believe there's always something new to learn.

That's why maintaining my own qualifications is so important.

A Big Thank You to Phoenix Training

I'd like to finish by saying a big thank you to everyone at Phoenix Training in Wellingborough.

It was a great course, delivered by a great company, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to spend the week with.

Thanks again to Paul, Rob, Jay, Matt, Lloyd and Rui.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And with another successful five-year re-registration under my belt, I'm looking forward to getting back out there and putting those skills to good use.

Because even when you're the instructor, the learning never really stops!

Tim Benton

Wight Training Services

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