Inhouse Forklift License?

[Sean178]

The firm that I used to work for had me trained up for reach and counterbalance forklifts which has only left me with inhouse licenses. What is the process I have to now take to get them turned into full licenses? Would I have to go down to a test centre and do a full 5 day course? Even though I have over two years experience on both?

[tonyav]

No such thing as a FLT licence, Sean.
Although did you receive a certificate of some type when you did your inhouse training.

http://warehousenews.co.uk/2011/02/q-where-do-i-get-a-driving-license-for-a-fork-lift-truck-a-you-don%E2%80%99t-because-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-fork-lift-truck-driver%E2%80%99s-licence/

[EDDIE51]

I did an In House course but I got a certificate from a Fork lift training company, the certificate was valid anywhere. As you have been told there is no such thing as a fork lift truck licence, any one can legally drive one as long as it is on private property.

[tonyav]

It's also the same thing with overhead cranes to.

[Sean178]

Thank you for the answers fellas. I have been looking at vacancies and they're all saying you require a license. I was never given any paperwork by my old firm when I did it so I assume anything that I earned was held on site by my employer. Surely there has to be a certificate? Otherwise I can't start applying for any of these jobs.

[tonyav]

Your old firm should have your certificate ( or proof of your inhouse training ).

[Sean178]

Have been in contact with them and I think they're going to get me copies. But if they're in house then I will need to do a certain part of the training again to be able to get proper certificates I reckon. I will give a few test centres a call tomorrow and see what they come up with. Thank you.

[tonyav]

Is it a different type of work that you have been applying for ie from warehouse to factory ?.

[Sean178]

Basically I left that firm last year to start a Plumbing apprenticeship at the late age of 23. I am now being told that the firm I work for is going into liquidation. So I have been looking around for another firm that could take me on as a 2nd year apprentice but have had no luck as these vacancies are very scarce. Plus I don't really fit the criteria that these firms ask for. So it has left me with the option to go back to what I used to do but obviously the firm I used to do driving for has all their FLT driver spots filled. So need to get myself into another firm but cant do so until I know whether I have the correct certification or not. This job will then be my lead up to what I actually want to be doing in the end which is being a Telehandler Operator. I just need this next FLT job to keep my money going until I can afford to pay for my next course.

[tonyav]

If I were you I'd give them ( old firm ) a phone call and say that you will be calling by to pick up your certificate ( or copy of it ) as you need it urgently to start a new job.

[Sean178]

Will definitely be doing this I will just get copies of whatever they were given and I will go from there. Thank you.

[tonyav]

Best of luck, Sean.

[EDDIE51]

Are you currently claiming 'job seekers'allowance? If so you may be able to get the fork truck training paid for if it helps you to find a job.
My son got this , the Job Center paid for him to go on a fork lift training course and he got a certificate. He then got a job in a warehouse.

[Sean178]

I am still currently employed but the firm is right on the brink of liquidation so it's only a matter of time now. I have the relevant experience for the job as I have done it before it's just whether or not I have the right certification. I have heard of the job centre doing that before so it may be worth me looking into this also for plan b.