Progress made on apprenticeships

The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) says there are rising numbers of forklift apprentices, with 108 apprenticeships in place across the UK, with another 29 planned for later in the year. BITA believes 200 apprentices a year is needed.

The establishment of the BITA Academy at City of Bristol College in November 2011 has played a part increasing the number of apprenticeships on offer. Looking to the future, the BITA apprenticeship programme will be focusing on establishing closer contact with schools to attract young people into FLT apprenticeships.

Karl Baum, business development manager, Bristol City College said: “We are working to provide a bespoke programme at the BITA Academy. We will focus on engineering students at sixth form colleges. We will also set students an engineering challenge based on forklift technology, with a prize fund, and projects showcased at IMHX.”