I totally agree with Dave. Calls come in and the person says I want to get certified on a forklift. Thye have never operated one previously, and expect, in a few short hours, to become fully competent to operate one, and for only $50.00!

Requests such as these are invited to attend the course I give at Kemptville College (not $50.00). A 2 day course is provided. The first day is theory, and if time permits, I get them to hop onto the truck, and get the feel for the controls, braking and steering. But it is the 2nd day where I tutor them from scratch, and teach them the basics progressively, until such time later in the day, we both feel confident that they can operate the forklift properly, safely, and then be tested.

When permits are issued, the type of forklift trained upon is indicated. So, at the college, we train on the sit-down forklift, a Hyundai model, 5000lb., propane powered. Their permit reads 'sit-down rider' with a black check mark beside it. All other classes of lift trucks are indicated on the permit, however, only the sit-down model is checked, meaning, this person has not been trained on a stockpicker, power pallet, or reach truck. And this is also emphazied in the classroom.

On the permit, I classify their level of competency. If the participant is fully competent to operate the forklift, they are given a black checkmark. Being new, but showing alot of promise, they receive a red star, indicating a low level certification. They may not be competent to do everything with the forklift at this time, but with some onsite practice, they should be at par, soon. I advise them to stick to the menial tasks only. And finally, the site-specific certification, which is issued when I cannot truly test the person to my liking due to lack of space, or inclement weather (not at the college, indoor facilty), but they appear to know what they are doing.

What is extremely important, in my opinion, is the Record of Training. This document should tell any potential employer, the entire story of what occurred that day. Tabulating the written test results, the driving result, and a brief synopsis on how this indivisual performed that day. This document summarizes this person's experience on the forklift (not much at this time), and gives the potential employer a clearer, detailled perspective as to the capabilites of this individual.

Items such as what this person should not do with the forklift yet, e.g. unload trailers, time-sensitive tasks, acquiring or depositing loads stacked more than 2 tiers high, are highlighted. However, if I feel that this person will be capable of performing such tasks with practice, I will indicate that in the record of training. To me, the record of training, if created properly, is the magic piece of paper. Not much info can be presented on a business card size document. The record of training I deliver to my students is 100% complete, and provides an in-depth, honest opinion of what they can, and cannot do. However, preparing these documents take time, lots of time, and most trainers out there are not willing to sacrifice their time to provide such a document.

So, I have said alot. I don't want to take up any more space. Nobody can be totally trained in 2 days, and that is all the time afforded me, and the participants. There are training schools that I am aware of in Toronto, but for an unemployed person to spend a week in Toronto, travel cost, motel, food and the cost of the course, the price is prohibitive. So, I contibute to my students the best way I know how, at an affordable price point, and trust that I taught them well, put the fear of God into them, and was patient enough through their ridiculous, but humorous operating faults, to provide them an education to get off on the right foot, and lead to a better paying position.

I have alot more to say and fill-ins, but i dont' want to be greedy.

Dan