Operating a forklift requires special skills and knowledge of precautions to take to avoid damage or injuries. That is why forklift operators are normally required to undergo rigorous training on forklift operations. Some of the topics they normally study include; forklift parts, forklift maintenance, fueling the forklift, reversing, turning, loading, unloading and parking the forklift among others. Aspiring forklift operators also go through special training on safety precautions to ensure they do not injure other factory workers or themselves. When looking for the best forklift course in Melbourne, there are a number of things you should pay attention to, including:
i) WorkSafe Certification
To get a forklift license, you must complete a course that has been accredited by WorkSafe. This is important because all accredited courses have been standardised to ensure that all forklift operators are properly qualified regardless of where they were trained. That said, you should check whether or not a course is accredited before signing up.
ii) Fees
Course fees normally differ from one school to another. While you do not want to sign up for the cheapest course, you want a program that will give you the greatest value for your money. Therefore, you should start by making a shortlist of the best courses then compare their fees to identify the most competitively priced program.
iii) Duration
Some forklift courses only take a couple of days to complete while others may take several weeks. Obviously, the longer the duration of the course the higher the cost of the forklift training will be. Therefore, you should choose a forklift course that takes a reasonable amount of time to ensure you learn everything you need to learn without spending a lot of money.
iv) Entry Requirements
Obviously, every training program must have entry requirements. When it comes to forklift training, the main entry requirements are usually those regarding age, contact details and possession of a driving license. Normally, trainees are required to have a valid driver’s license to be enrolled into the program. Those who do not possess this license are normally required to obtain a driving license first. Fortunately, most training programs have a separate program to enable aspiring forklift operators to obtain a standard driving license. After completing the program, they can start forklift training. The cost will obviously be much higher.
v) Number of Students per Class
The success rate of a program as well as the number of students per class are two important factors to consider. First, you want a program with a high success rate and has a reasonable number of students. This will ensure you get enough time to train on the actual forklift.
