I've been an Instructor for over 10 years. Mainly In house for large companies but I have had some experience at Training Centers. I am also an Operational Instructor which means at peak times I help in the operation which is a good thing, good practice.

My experience at a Training Center I worked at;

Expected to complete a one day refresh on the Reach Truck with 13 candidates with 2 Instructors. I refused and took three the other Instructor had the other 10 !!!

A trainee who couldn't speak or understand a word of English came to the center for Reach Truck Training. The Boss said this is ok get him to bring a friend in or speak over the phone to translate. I refused to do this.

I have assessed FLT drivers with a valid certificates at my depot. I remember 2 guys who I assessed found the steering of the truck a challenge. I later found out they had just had 2 days training and 7 trainees sharing one truck. One guy couldn't drive in a straight line he had just passed his test at a training center.

It seems to me that Training centers are making it easier for a candidate to pass their test. Is this down to money as if you were known as a training center to fail people they may get a bad reputation. Are you under pressure to pass people?

The problem is it is people like me that has to pick up the pieces. FLT drivers come to me with their licences and expect to pass my assessment (which is the same course as you would have at a training center).

I know what your going to say we offer Basic Training thats how you are covered. But as a In house Instructor you have to be 100% comfortable that the candidate is of a good standard, although I haven't got a crystal ball to see into the future(wish I did)

But I can honestly say that I have never passed anyone that I thought was below the test standard required.

What about you...