The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and City of Bristol College are partnering in an apprenticeship initiative to ensure a continued supply of qualified engineers for the forklift industry.

"We need to see significant numbers of apprentices join the forklift engineering sector to replace retiring employees if we want to reverse our current ageing profile," says BITA president Tim Waples.

A BITA program training manager has been appointed to create a management link between the academic community and the materials handling sector. The independent manager will work with schools to attract new apprentices, explore opportunities to secure government funding, manage applicants, liaise with employers and maintain quality levels.

He or she will report to BITA and have joint responsibility to BITA and Bristol College to meet the role's objectives.

A BITA Academy will be created at City of Bristol College's Transport Technology for Fork Lift Truck facility on its Parkway campus, north of Bristol. Apprentices pursuing the college's Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) accredited diploma in forklift engineering can now graduate with a BITA-branded "IMI Quality Assured" certificate. Recruitment will start in December.

Karl Baum, the college's business development manager in transport and engineering technology, will head the operational team. His task will be supported by communications materials, like a promotional film that depicts the concept of the partnership, promotes the industry and its members' commitment, and highlights existing career opportunities. The film will be distributed to targeted schools and colleges.

"This is a very significant new partnership, at a time of great need but also great opportunity," Baum says. "Evangelising the breadth and depth of challenges available in [the] industry presents a challenge I shall relish in the months ahead."

City of Bristol College is the UK's largest training centre for the forklift industry, with all students working exclusively on forklift products. Course program content will be tailored specifically for BITA and its members and delivered by a training team using workshops and course materials. Candidates are welcomed from BITA and non-BITA companies.

For more information, email: apprentices@bita.org.uk.