On-Site Novice Forklift Training
GH Training provides AITT-accredited novice forklift training for employees with no previous formal training or practical experience on the relevant equipment.
Courses combine theoretical knowledge, practical instruction and assessment. Training is delivered at customer premises using a suitable forklift and controlled training area.
Call 01925 500796
Who Should Attend Novice Training?
Novice training is intended for a person starting from the beginning on a particular forklift category.
It is suitable for:
- New warehouse and distribution employees
- Manufacturing or engineering staff taking on forklift duties
- Employees transferring into material-handling roles
- Apprentices who will operate suitable workplace equipment
- Existing employees without previous forklift experience
- Businesses developing additional trained operators
No previous operating qualification is required. Candidates must, however, be suitable for the work, medically fit to operate safely and able to understand the instruction and assessment.
What Does Novice Forklift Training Cover?
Course content is adapted to the equipment and working environment but normally includes the following areas.
Operator Responsibilities
Candidates learn about:
- Their responsibilities when operating workplace equipment
- The importance of employer authorisation
- Safe systems of work
- Pedestrian and vehicle separation
- Reporting defects and unsafe conditions
- Following equipment and site instructions
Forklift Stability
Training explains the principles affecting forklift stability, including:
- Rated capacity
- Load centres
- Load weight and distribution
- The effect of travelling and turning
- Ground and surface conditions
- Attachments and altered capacity
- Operating on gradients, where relevant
Pre-Use Inspections
Candidates learn how to inspect the relevant forklift before use, identify defects and follow the employer’s reporting procedure.
Checks may include:
- Tyres and wheels
- Fork arms and carriage
- Mast and lifting components
- Hydraulic systems
- Steering and brakes
- Warning devices
- Safety equipment
- Battery, fuel or charging arrangements
- Capacity and information plates
A defective truck should not be used when the fault could affect safe operation.
Controls and Manoeuvring
Practical instruction develops controlled use of the truck, including:
- Starting and stopping
- Steering characteristics
- Forward and reverse travel
- Observation before moving
- Manoeuvring within restricted areas
- Judging clearances
- Safe parking and shutdown
Load Handling
Depending on the truck category, candidates may practise:
- Assessing a load before lifting
- Positioning the forks correctly
- Picking up and depositing loads
- Travelling with a load
- Stacking and de-stacking
- Pallet placement and retrieval
- Maintaining visibility
- Loading and unloading procedures
Theory and Practical Assessment
Candidates are assessed throughout the course and complete the appropriate final tests.
Assessment normally covers:
- Relevant theoretical knowledge
- Pre-use inspection
- Practical operation
- Manoeuvring
- Load handling
- Safe operating behaviour
A candidate must demonstrate the required standard rather than simply attend the course.
How Long Does Novice Training Take?
Novice forklift training typically takes three to five days, although the correct duration depends on:
- The equipment category
- Number of candidates
- Candidate progress
- Workplace conditions
- Complexity of the operating tasks
- Attachments or specialist load-handling requirements
The HSE advises that courses must be long enough to cover the required content and give every trainee adequate hands-on experience. It identifies three to five days as typical for basic training. HSE lift-truck training guidance
GH Training will confirm the proposed duration after reviewing your requirements.
Forklift Categories Available
Counterbalance Forklifts
Counterbalance trucks are widely used in warehouses, factories, yards and loading areas.
Novice courses can cover vehicle unloading, load movement, stacking and other duties relevant to the customer’s operation.
View Counterbalance Forklift Training
Reach Trucks
Reach truck training is suitable for new operators who will work around warehouse racking and pallet-storage systems.
Pivot Steer Forklifts
Training is available for articulated Flexi and Bendi-type forklifts used in narrow warehouse aisles.
View Pivot Steer Forklift Training
Multidirectional Forklifts
Novice instruction can be arranged for multidirectional trucks used to move long or bulky materials.
View Multidirectional Forklift Training
Training is also available for powered pedestrian pallet trucks, vertical stock pickers and other material-handling equipment.
The Three Stages of Operator Training
Passing a basic operating course does not complete every element of workplace training.
HSE guidance identifies three stages:
- Basic training: Learning the fundamental knowledge and operating skills required to use the truck safely.
- Specific job training: Learning how the actual truck will be used, including its controls, loads, attachments, workplace conditions and operating procedures.
- Familiarisation training: Supervised practice during normal work until the operator can apply what they have learned safely.
Basic and specific job training should take place away from normal production pressures. Familiarisation takes place on the job under close supervision. HSE lift-truck training guidance
The employer should ensure all necessary stages are completed before authorising independent operation.
Training at Your Premises
On-site delivery allows candidates to train on the category of equipment they are expected to use.
The customer will normally need to provide:
- A safe and serviceable forklift
- Manufacturer operating instructions
- A suitable controlled training area
- Representative pallets and loads
- Relevant attachment documentation
- Appropriate personal protective equipment
- Sufficient time for the complete course
- A workplace representative who can explain local procedures
The practical area must be separated from production, vehicle or pedestrian activity where necessary.
Novice or Experienced-Operator Training?
Novice training should be selected when the person has no relevant operating experience.
An experienced-operator course may be considered for someone with substantial, genuine practical experience but no recognised formal training. It should not be used simply to shorten the course for a beginner.
The operator’s history should be discussed honestly because an unsuitable shortened course may not provide enough time to develop and assess the necessary skills.
Complete the Free Training Gap Check
Evidence of Training and Authorisation
Candidates who successfully complete the required assessments receive suitable evidence of training for the equipment category tested.
Employers remain responsible for:
- Completing specific job and familiarisation training
- Confirming that the operator understands local hazards
- Recording the training provided
- Formally authorising the employee
- Restricting operation to suitable equipment and duties
- Monitoring ongoing performance
- Arranging further instruction when required
There is no general government-issued “forklift licence” comparable to a driving licence for public roads.
Areas Covered
GH Training provides on-site novice courses across:
Arrange Novice Forklift Training
When requesting a quotation, provide:
- The training location
- Forklift category and model
- Number of candidates
- Tasks the operators will perform
- Loads and attachments involved
- Available training area
- Preferred dates and working hours
GH Training will review the information, recommend the appropriate course duration and confirm what must be available at the site.
Call 01925 500796