New Contract, New Skills: Cherry Picker Training with Unitspark

Getting the team ready to work safely at height as Unitspark prepares for its latest engineering contract.

TL;DR:

• Unitspark’s team have been getting ready for a new contract with cherry picker training.
• Training was carried out using the boom lift they’ll actually be operating.
• Practical training helps operators understand the machine, controls and safe working procedures.
• Unitspark has been delivering engineering solutions since 1988.
• Wight Training Services provides workplace equipment and working-at-height training on-site.

New contract on the way? Time to get the cherry picker sorted!

It was great to spend some time with the lads at Unitspark, getting them trained and ready on the cherry picker ahead of a new contract.

The machine in the photos is a self-propelled boom lift – commonly called a cherry picker – and, as with any piece of access equipment, knowing how to operate it safely and confidently is every bit as important as getting the job done.

That’s where practical training really comes into its own.

Training on the equipment you actually use

One of the big advantages of the way I deliver training is that I come to the client.

Rather than sending employees away to train somewhere unfamiliar, on-site training allows them to learn using the equipment and working environment they are likely to encounter in their day-to-day role.

For the Unitspark team, that meant getting hands-on with the cherry picker and becoming familiar with its controls, movement and safe operation.



There’s a big difference between knowing what a machine should do and being comfortable operating it correctly when you’re up in the platform and getting into position.

“Good training isn’t just about passing an assessment. I want operators to understand the machine, recognise the risks and feel confident using it safely when they get back to work.” — Tim Benton

Supporting a company with nearly four decades of engineering experience

Unitspark was established in 1988 and remains a family-owned organisation. Over the years, the business has developed into a specialist engineering company providing bespoke solutions for some of the UK’s critical infrastructure.

Its work covers everything from initial consultation and surveys through to design, fabrication, installation and implementation.

In 2023, JR Pridham joined the Unitspark family, bringing additional electrical engineering, control, automation and telemetry expertise alongside Unitspark’s established mechanical and fabrication capabilities.



With that sort of work comes the need for competent people who can use workplace equipment properly – particularly when jobs involve access at height.

Working at height deserves proper preparation

Cherry pickers are incredibly useful machines. They can provide safe and efficient access to areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach, but that doesn’t mean an operator can simply jump into the basket and work it out as they go.

Training gives operators an understanding of the machine and, importantly, its limitations.

That includes areas such as carrying out pre-use checks, understanding the controls and emergency procedures, positioning the machine correctly, maintaining awareness of the surrounding area and recognising hazards before they become a problem.

The aim is straightforward: safe, competent and confident operation.

And when a business is preparing for an important new contract, getting those skills in place beforehand makes much more sense than discovering a training gap once the job has already started.

Another team ready to go

A cracking day with the Unitspark lads, helped considerably by some proper blue skies!



It’s always good to work with businesses that take training seriously and want their people properly prepared for the work ahead.

Best of luck to the team with the new contract – the cherry picker is sorted, the operators have been put through their paces, and they’re ready to get to work. 👍

Need cherry picker, scissor lift or other working-at-height training for your own team?



Wight Training Services provides practical on-site training across the Isle of Wight, using your own workplace and equipment wherever appropriate. I also provide forklift, plant and wider workplace safety training, with accredited and In House options available depending on your requirements.

If you’ve been searching for flt training near me or need access equipment training before a new project or contract gets underway, get in touch. Bringing the training to your site can reduce disruption, keep costs sensible and, most importantly, give your operators practical experience in a familiar working environment.

Tim Benton – Wight Training Services
Practical training for real workplaces.