“Prior to the pandemic, the number of operator tests taking place each year was fairly steady, but we saw declines in all areas in 2020,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB, the UK and Ireland’s leading workplace transport training accrediting body. “COVID-19 did of course present risks and challenges for training and assessment, but operators without the correct training also pose a serious danger to the supply chain.”
Statistics from RTITB show that Counterbalance Lift Truck Operator tests declined by 24.7% from 2019 to 2020, accounting for around 10,000 operators across all candidate types (Novice, Refresher, Conversion). The number of Counterbalance Lift Truck operators being tested for the first time was down by 29.2%, with an even bigger decline of 32.8% for Reach Truck operators. Overall, across all candidate types, there were around 2,400 fewer Reach Truck operator tests in 2020, compared to the previous year.
“With the number of new operators down by around 30% and overwhelming demand in the supply chain, it begs the question of who is filling these gaps?” says Laura. “Are untrained people operating trucks? Or are qualified operators working extremely long hours to cover the deficit and risking fatigue, which could also be jeopardising safe operation.”
Refresher training also saw a significant decline, with Counterbalance and Reach Truck operator tests down by 22.2% and 23% respectively from 2019 to 2020.
“Worryingly this means that almost a quarter of the candidates due for refresher training are potentially out there operating without any update on skills – how long before there is a serious incident as a result of this?” says Laura. “Some might suggest that these operators may have left the industry, but this is unlikely considering the huge demand on the supply chain during the pandemic.”
As well as a decline in operator test numbers, Lift Truck Instructor examinations have also seen a huge dip of 50% in 2020. This lack of instructors could also be a key contributor to the deficit in operator training and testing.
“After 2020, many supply chain organisations need to catch up on their operator training,” says Laura. “But with less instructors qualifying or re-qualifying, who is going to deliver this?
