Can't see the point in a simulator as it will never be able to respond as a real life forklift in every situation.

There is nothing wrong with the old school classroom approach then operator training followed be a practical test given by a qualified instructor on the actual piece of equipment in a safe environment.

Most of my customers, if someone has a preventable accident with a forklift then they are then banned from driving any forklift & given a hand pallet truck until they have had there forklift driving training reassessed.