How do I become a certified Forklift Instructor?

Forklifts are utilized to transport and lift heavy objects in warehouses, construction sites and agricultural work atmospheres, among numerous other places. In order to become a forklift operator and to teach others how to operate this machine, one must first know how to operate and drive a forklift safely and effectively. Operation of a forklift in the USA requires training and certification in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In the United States, it is illegal for anyone to operate a forklift who is younger than 18 years old or who is not trained and certified. Currently, there is no formal certification in order to train other to use a forklift.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does provide guidelines for forklift trainers. If you currently drive a forklift on the job, or have in the past and are presently certified, then you have the basic foundation you will need to become a forklift instructor. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration organization’s standard related to forklift training states, “All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.”

Acquiring teaching skills will also aid you in becoming a forklift instructor. By attending train-the-trainer classes for forklift trainers, you can learn how to train others to operate a forklift and gain valuable teaching skills. These classes can be found online, in the phone book yellow pages, through forklift manufacturers and at your local Occupational Safety and Health Administration office. Attending these train-the-trainer courses will help you determine if someone you have trained has the necessary skills to independently operate a forklift, how to evaluate their driving abilities and the process of how to certify them.

If becoming a forklift instructor sounds exciting to you, check with your employer to find out if there is a need for staff training in forklift operations at your workplace. If there is a demand, you could volunteer for the responsibility of organizing a training and certification program. Another option would be to approach companies that provide the train-the-trainer classes to inquire if they have any positions for forklift instructors. Having a clean safety record and current certification will help you find work training others to drive forklifts. Showing leadership ability, combined with speaking skills and good all over communication will also help you succeed as a forklift instructor.

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