Talent the top priority

THE UK Material Handling Association is the single voice of the UK material handling sector, representing all aspects of this important industry, including forklift truck manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and end users. The Association’s aims are to help its members operate safely and efficiently, by advising on best practice, legislation and to provide essential services to support their activities. The UKMHA also aims to attract the best talent into the industry and ensure the industry is recognised as a great place to work.

The Association has been acutely aware of the challenge to recruit and retain skilled technicians. The reasons behind this include an ever-decreasing talent pool due to an ageing workforce and a limited college provision to provide the relevant skills for young people to join our industry.

This is why UKMHA have teamed up with SMB College Group to deliver its brand-new technical training courses and apprenticeship scheme that are tailored to meet the specific needs of the material handling industry.

UKMHA technical courses

UKMHA is introducing eleven new training courses to help its members and the wider material handling industry ensure their workforce have the right skills to carry out their tasks. This is a staggering three-fold increase in the provision of the Association’s technical courses. 

The training courses are designed to help businesses upskill their workforce and provide professional development for staff, which will position them as an attractive employer of choice. 

The courses provide a valuable path to migrate technicians from other sectors into MHE as well as extending the skillset of existing employees.

The new courses start this autumn and include Lift Truck LPG Fuel Systems (Operating Safely), Working on High Voltage Lift Trucks, Lift Truck Electrical Charger Connection and Isolation, Lift Truck Hydraulics, and many more.

In addition to the new courses, UKMHA will still be running training courses such as Thorough Examination New Engineer, Safety for Lift Truck Service Engineers, and Thorough Examination Revalidation. 

All the courses will be held at SMB College Group’s Stephenson Campus, Leicestershire, and will be delivered by highly trained instructors. They also offer the opportunity to work with a wide range of material handling equipment. 

UKMHA apprenticeship scheme
The new UKMHA apprenticeship scheme has been created in partnership with SMB College Group. The aim is to help UKMHA members and non-members develop their own future talent. Having the right people for the job is of paramount importance, which is why hiring an apprentice is a fantastic way for businesses to recruit, train and retain future talent.  

It is vital that the material handling sector attracts young individuals, along with experienced professionals from other sectors, and provides them with the required skills to join this fast moving, growing vibrant industry.

UKMHA recognises that apprentices can deliver a vast array of benefits to businesses. The skills developed, via its scheme, will add tangible benefits and value. Additionally, there are government funding schemes that cover apprentice training costs. 

Rob Fisher, Chief Executive of UKMHA said: “Our scheme provides such a fantastic opportunity for businesses across the UK to ensure they have the right people with the best possible skills. Hiring an apprentice is a great way for many companies to recruit, train and retain future talent. Our initiative aligns well with the UK Government’s launch of its Skills England body which has been formed to boost the nation’s skills.”

The UKMHA apprenticeship scheme is specifically designed for the material handling industry with a focus on industry best practices. This ensures apprentices are trained to the highest standards and gain the relevant skills to support their career. All delivered by a scheme that is approved by UKMHA, which is recognised as the voice of the UK material handling industry.

UKMHA initiatives

• Safe User Group (SUG): The UKMHA Safe User Group has been formed to provide users of material handling equipment with best practice information on the safe use of their material handling equipment. Members of the Safe User Group have access to a comprehensive resource offering a wealth of safety-related guidance, helplines and tools, all specially designed to help end users of material handling equipment improve their safety protocols. This includes exclusive access to ‘Safer Site Pro’ – a 26-step programme offering advice, guidance and practical tasks to improve workplace safety. 
• CFTS Through Examinations: Through its subsidiary, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), UKMHA accredits Competent Persons to carry out Thorough Examinations and Safety Inspections, which, like the MOT for cars, are the mandatory inspection required by law to ensure that the mechanical parts of a lift truck are in safe working order. A CFTS accredited Thorough Examination ensures that a lift truck is examined thoroughly; brakes and steering will be checked along with the lifting mechanism. All lifting equipment must receive a Thorough Examination at least once a year, as specified in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. 
• National Forklift Safety Day: A global initiative, aimed at raising awareness of the safe use of forklift trucks and the importance of proper operator training. It is an established event within the UK material handling calendar that aims to convey the safety message to as wide an audience as possible. Each year it focuses on a key aspect of a forklift safety. The 2024 campaign explores what actions should be taken before, during and after a forklift incident. The focal point for the campaign is the seven stages of the forklift incident cycle, with each stage representing a specific strategy for ensuring the safe use of material handling equipment.