In Melbourne and throughout Australia, forklift operators are in demand because there are many industries that hire forklift operators such as warehousing, agriculture, manufacturing, utilities and shipping. To work in these industries as a forklift operator you need a forklift licence. There are many registered forklift training provider centers in Melbourne including our own that can help you achieve your goal.
Getting Your Forklift Licence
To operate a forklift in Victoria or any other part of Australia, the operator needs a Forklift licence. This is because forklift operation is classified as a high risk job and there are set guidelines and regulatory requirements that must be learned and demonstrated by a candidate to acquire a forklift licence. This is done through forklift training and testing process.
The basic procedure is that a candidate has to complete a forklift course conducted through a registered forklift training organization. At the RTO, registered forklift trainers will ensure that you (students) have been taught the complete regulation, health and safety requirement and have practical training on a forklift before your skills are assessed by a licensed forklift assessor.
Enrolling in a forklift course
To enroll in a forklift course, you must be at least 18 years of age. There are rare occasions where a candidate might be granted an exception but it is very rare.
Another basic requirement is that candidate must be able to read and speak in English – functional level language skills. This is so that candidate can understand theory component of the forklift course and be able to understand the instructions provided by forklift trainer and forklift assessors.
It is important that you get enrolled with a registered forklift training provider. A registered and leading Melbourne forklift training providers such as Go Workplace Training can help you gain not just a licence but also the skills and knowledge that will help you all through your forklift operator career. A good forklift trainer knows the importance of safety in forklift operation.
Forklift Course & Assessment
Once you enroll in a Melbourne forklift course your forklift trainer will provide you with theory content of the course and all other information that you need to progress with your course. The theory part of the course includes forklift driver safety, pre-checks of equipment, work safety checks of equipment and post-checks of equipment. The theory portion also covers health and safety issues and other government regulations.
Your practical forklift training begins once your instructor is satisfied with your theoretical knowledge about forklift operation. This is a hands-on practical forklift driving training where the student sits behind the wheel of the Forklift. It includes pre-operational checks of equipment, operational checks of equipment, load shifting and proper shut down procedures.
Once you have sufficiently learned both the theory and practical parts of your course and have shown some proficiency in the safe forklift operations, you will move to the next step which is your forklift test. Upon successful completion of the test you will be issued a Notice of Assessment which will allow you to operate a forklift for 60 days while your forklift licence is being issued.