Join me as I take you on a journey through my first weeks as a forklift instructor.
Having co-delivered six training courses at a skills centre in West London I would like to share my experience as a newly qualified Forklift Truck Instructor with you.
It has been an incredible experience filled with learning, growth, and the sheer joy of guiding students on their path to becoming skilled forklift operators. Under the guidance of one of my experienced colleagues Ashley as the course leader, I had the privilege of seeing the transformation of eager learners who are grasping the opportunity of a new career to confident professional who are ready to take on the professional responsibilities of a truck operator.
Building Skills and Confidence:
From day one, it was clear that my role as an instructor carried immense responsibility. Working in a skills college in West London and directly with three students, I dedicated myself to building their skills and instilling in them the confidence needed to use forklifts safely and efficiently. The opportunity to pass on my knowledge and ability was both humbling and rewarding. Witnessing the progress made by each student from starting on Day 1 when the truck seems such a scary ‘beast’ to them being able to navigate with pallets through narrow chicanes and stacking that load at height without hesitation, was an incredible source of satisfaction.
Over time I also started to see patterns of learning progress, from similar initial ‘mistakes’ – I was very much reminded of my own learning path – to the eventual progress when muscle memory kicks in tricky tasks become more natural. That discovery of common patterns enabled me to be more patient, calmer and reassuring with my students.
The Joy of Seeing Learning Progress:
As the week unfolded, I had the privilege of seeing the remarkable growth and development of the students. From their first hesitant steps behind the wheel to confidently manoeuvring the forklifts, their determination and dedication were truly inspiring. In parallel, we worked on the theoretical knowledge of safe forklift truck operation – a cornerstone of the course that sets the foundation for safe operation of what could be a dangerous instrument if not handled with care and consideration. After all, a truck can weigh several tons and unsafe operation can be costly and dangerous to life and limbs.
It was a joy to see the students’ learning progress, as they absorbed the theory and applied it. Celebrating their achievements, both big and small, reinforced my passion for teaching and affirmed the impact I can have on their professional journeys.
Proud of the Students’ Achievements:
In just one week, the students proved an incredible level of commitment and dedication. Their eagerness to learn and willingness to push beyond their comfort zones was truly commendable. I could not help but feel an immense sense of pride in what they achieved during this short span of time. Witnessing their successful completion of the training program filled me with confidence that I had chosen the right path, and that together, we had laid a solid foundation for their future success as forklift operators. All students passed the theoretical and practical exams and will shortly receive their RTITB operator certifications.
A Promising Start to My Instructor Career:
As I reflect on this first week as a forklift instructor, I cannot help but feel excited about the journey ahead. It was a thrilling experience to contribute to the growth and development of these aspiring professionals. This first week has provided me with invaluable insights, teaching techniques, and the understanding that there is still much more to learn and experience in my instructor career. I eagerly look forward to continuing this fulfilling journey, expanding my ability, and making a positive impact on the lives and careers of future forklift operators.
An extra challenge – a shorter course duration before the Easter weekend:
And just as I though that I am really developing some kind of routine in delivering the course, the skills centre set us up for a course that was one day shorter than the normal duration – albeit with a smaller class to make this possible. And of course, the practical components are actually quicker if you have less students that share their time on the trucks. But the theoretical part pretty much takes the same amount of time. Therefore, that week felt like a real challenge but happily all candidates worked extra hard with us instructors and passed their exams just before the long weekend started – phew!
You have to have some fun as well!
There is a lot of fun and banter with the candidates but I have started a little tradition of providing my learners with extra Friday motivation via some great artwork – my full talent of drawing forklift trucks in great details was on display as this image proves beyond any doubt:
Conclusion:
My first weeks as a forklift instructor have been an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. Working closely with students and seeing their progress has reinforced my passion for teaching and mentoring. Guided by an experienced course leader, I was able to build students’ skills and confidence, paving the way for their success as forklift operators. This week has set a solid foundation for my instructor career, and I am excited to continue growing and contributing to the development of future professionals in the industry.
