My training has evolved from an evaluation of skills only, to an opportunity for individuals to learn. When we started our program in 1988 it was damage control to get current operators certified. Now we usually have a class of 30 prospects and 4 or 5 instructors. They are told that if this part of the class is not completed satisfactorly they don't pass, and that if they pay attention to the 5 videos, the written test will be no problem. We start with paperwork, videos, and between four to seven forklifts, each in their own designated practice zone. Some have cones only, some have pallets to stack and some have crates to stack.
All folks with no experience are told to be there an hour before the rest to get extra practice time. After rotating all the students we begin evaluations. Some students spend 4 hours of practice and still don't pass. I explain that the level of hand-to-eye coordination required for this job they don't currently posses and they are welcome to try next class.
After all evaluations are complete we go to the classroom. We have noticed that the extra training time is enough that when they get to the jobsite they have the necessary skills and
confidence needed to be safe and productive.