Fortec is ramping up its warehouse operative development, with all existing and future staff at its newly expanded Watford Gap hub set to receive bespoke in-house forklift training.
The pallet network is anticipating strong growth this year and next, and spent £6,000 gaining two of its staff Association of Industrial Truck Trainers accreditation.
Newly qualified Dalwyn Leddington and Sergio Pereira (pictured below) are now able to train new warehouse staff members, which Fortec said is a big advantage in that it's no longer required to hire people without forklift experience.
Fortec said that while forklift training traditionally takes place over a three-day course, newcomers to the Watford Gap hub will spend two weeks shadowing the trainer Leddington during the day, when the hub is quieter.
After that two week period the new operatives will be assessed on whether they are ready to operate machinery on the much busier night shift, where they will shadow second trainer Pereira for a further two weeks.
The pallet network recently completed a £3m expansion of its Watford Gap site, which saw it bring its international and domestic freight operations under one roof.
This, according to business unit director Craig Johnson, will allow it to reduce lead times and damage to cargo, as there will be less handling of the products.
“In this market it is all about how fast you can get to your delivery destination,” he added.
Fortec's UK and international hub manager Stuart White said he expected the spending on Pereira and Leddington to "reap dividends time and time again as we seek to bring in the right employees in line with our growth – no matter how much or how little experience they have – and train them to our own high standards".
White added: “The forklift truck training programme is just the first stage of upgrading our training systems here at Fortec. We are also looking at further training for operators using the shunters and our scissor lifts.
“By focusing on our systems within the warehouse we are ensuring we have the right skills and experience in place at Fortec to meet the demands of our customers and an evolving workplace.”
The two forklift trainers will also provide refresher courses to existing employees.