Barloworld Handling has hired 19 more apprentices in the UK.

Barloworld Handling believes that apprentice training is a key factor in its future success and that is why it has hired 19 more apprentices in the UK.

The company's global HR director, Isadore Payne, says Barloworld's apprentice program has a proven track record of producing highly-motivated skilled engineers. "[It] gives us the opportunity to introduce fresh blood into the business and develop both technical and people skills so our engineering force is the best the industry has to offer."

"Many of our apprentices have received recognition at the annual Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) awards for excellence," Payne adds.

Despite current difficult trading conditions, Barloworld maintains that investment in apprentice training is vital to success for itself and the wider industry.

Barloworld's four-year apprentice scheme consists of structured vocational training supplemented by practical training at technical colleges in the UK. Apprentices receive a salary while working towards obtaining an NVQ level 3 or BTEC qualification in forklift engineering.

Once the course is completed, apprentices become fully qualified service engineers, working from a regional workshop, customer site or on the road via a mobile workshop.

When Barloworld launched a dedicated website for the scheme earlier this year, it received over 1,000 online applications. This year's intake of 19 apprentices started work in September.

According to the forklift distributor, service engineers have excellent prospects for future development in field service management, parts and operations management or sales.

Barloworld currently employs 52 apprentices in the UK and claims that without continued investment in its apprentice scheme, the cyclical loss of experienced engineers would be difficult to replace.

Forklift companies have for years faced a skills shortage in the technical department as experienced engineers retire, are promoted or change careers (Forkliftaction.com News #289). The FLTA has partnered with the City of Bristol College to offer apprenticeship courses for potential forklift engineers (Forkliftaction.com News #260).

To learn more about Barloworld's apprentice scheme, visit www.apprentice.barloworld.co.uk.