I believe the term is competency, and not certified. The governments of Canada and the US describe competency as Knowledge, Training, and Experience.

So, once you go through the training process, and you are successful, you are then deemed competent, and not certified.

Certified is a rubber stamp on some piece of paper saying you passed the course, regardless of how meaningful or not the course actually was. Competency is the ability for one to operate the lift truck in a safe and professional manner.

All too frequent, businesses advertise in the local newspaper for certified operators. Wrong description!
They are seeking operators with experience so they do not have to shell out the money to have them trained, many-a-times, and many do not bother training these employees as to their specific facilities, as outlined in the law books.

Be realistic, and not idealistic. I know that there is the letter of the law, but when it comes to everyday practice, it is not followed very well in many, maybe not all cases, but many cases.

I train at a A&M college on a monthly basis. At least when my students successfully complete the course, I issue a laminated digital photo-ID permit, a personalized wall certificate, and a Record of Training particular to the person's training, that can be attached to the resume or application. I do not know where many of my students will be working once they have successfully completed the course. And I can guarantee you that any of the potential employers are merely seeking a license, showing that the hiree has been trained, and 'certified'.

There are no provisions in the CSA guidelines or Ontario laws for permits, but they do specify the Record of Training, vaguely. But employers are always seeking that magic permit. The permit is not the requirement but the Record of Training is the one document the employer does require. Unfortunately, most HR and senior management know nothing about the occupational laws and guidelines, and figure that the permit, or copy of, is all they need.

Boo-hoo! Won't you be surprised when the labour officers come knocking on your door, especially when there has been an incident, and requests to see the Record of Training, and all you got are copies of permits.

So, who is too blame in all of this? The operator (whom I train right from wrong), the supervisor, HR or senior management of the hiring companies, or the upholders of the laws in each province or state or country?

Pity, isn't it? Laws are put forth and not enforced to the degree they should be! So, in an idealistic world, yes, you must be trained on a class specific lift truck in the specific facility you will be working in. In the realistic world, all the employer cares about is the permit, and if they think they are smart, they may even take a photocopy to put in that person's HR file.


Some system that is in place, isn't it?