Asda Logistics Services has chosen the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT) to accredit a coordinated nationwide forklift operator training program.

Asda Logistics Services, responsible for all distribution operations across food depots, ambient general merchandise hubs, clothing, import, fulfilment and service centres for the supermarket chain, turned to AITT to ensure that operators receive training in line with professional standards where forklifts are in use at sites across the country. 

Melanie Richmond, technical training manager at Asda Logistics Services, says: “We take every level of training seriously, from novice to instructor, and by collaborating with AITT, it puts health and safety at the forefront of everything we do.”

As AITT members, Asda Logistics Services receives access to a wealth of information and resources, including the latest digital test sheets, training manuals, presentations, HSE guidance and more.

“In our three training locations - Lutterworth Integrated Distribution Centre, Wakefield Chilled Distribution Centre and Grangemouth Asda Distribution Centre - we have over 130 Category 1 instructors who will gain the skills and qualifications to go on and train thousands of Asda lift truck operators nationwide. This training will be standardised across all our sites, with operators trained to the same high level to encourage better awareness, knowledge and accountability when using lift trucks, which helps us to better protect colleagues and minimise the risk of accidents on site,” Richmond explains.

AITT managing director Liam Knight says: “With support and advice from AITT, Asda’s instructors will be able to teach and assess every individual in exactly the same way. This will guarantee that operators are following the same best practice guidance on the safe and correct way to use lift trucks no matter where the courses take place. We supply standardised documentation, so there is no risk of using outdated materials. Training is delivered to the highest calibre every time.”