Back in November 2010, the RTITB Operator of the Year 2011 competition was launched at the IMHX in Birmingham. With an estimated 152,000 qualified lift truck operators eligible to apply, the competition was guaranteed to surpass the expectations that had already been set by the original competition held in 2008.

After competing in their respective national finals, each grand finalist was selected for their expertise in fork lift truck operation. With just weeks to go until the Grand Final, to be held on 16th September at the RTITB Headquarters in Telford, Shropshire, all 10 finalists are eagerly waiting for their chance to be crowned Operator of the Year and win the grand prize of a brand new car (model to be announced), which has proven to be a great catalyst in encouraging competitiveness in each finalist. John Thomas of Newport, who was declared the Welsh National final champion in June said of competing in the final: "I'm hopeful - no, I'm adamant that I will win. I want that car!"

Northern England National Champion Gary Maher Scottish National Champion Robert Watson Welsh National Champion John Thomas

Irish National Champion Samuel Millar Mids & South National Champion John Lawson Jnr

Each of the grand finalists will be joined by their employers and training organisations, all of whom will be hoping that their employee or trainee is successful, showing that the competition is also an opportunity for employers and trainers alike to be acknowledged for their hard work and achievement in providing excellent training.

The competition welcomes operators of all experiences and backgrounds; some of whom possess years of experience in lift truck operation, whilst others have displayed great aptitude for picking up the skills required to compete to a high standard. A prime example of this is Northern England champion Gary Maher, of Jarrow, who is a mechanic by trade. A re-entrant from the 2008 competition, Gary has worked as an operator for just 4 years. Although he was unable to place the in the top 3 back in 2008, he has shown how perseverance and determination can go far within both the competition and the industry.

Finalists are eagerly waiting for their chance to be crowned Operator of the Year and win the grand prize of a new car

Gary will now compete against the other finalists, including Scottish National champion, Robert Watson from Ayrshire; Irish National champion, Samuel Millar from Ballymena; and Midlands & South National champion John Lawson Jnr, from Nuneaton.

The competition has been widely celebrated within the industry and acknowledged for its innovative approach to setting the standards within the field of material handling. Many of the competitors and their employees have been extremely complimentary of the competition. Mike James of Nasaleze Ltd, employer of Scottish National Final runner-up Simon Bottomley, said: "I think the competition is a great thing for the industry. It sets a standard that no one else in the industry is setting and someone who is willing to set these standards is someone worth referring to." Finalist Samuel Millar said: "It gives you credit as a fork lift truck operator". John Thomas stated: "Overall, the competition is a great way to hone your abilities as a lift truck operator."

The Grand Final is open to the public who can register their attendance via the RTITB website at www.rtitb.co.uk/fltcompetition (attendance should be registered in advance as places are limited). Not only will attendees see some of the best operators from across the UK and Ireland in action, but the day also provides an opportunity to meet the RTITB team and enjoy the range of refreshments, competitions and entertainment on offer throughout the day.

Follow all the news about the competition on the RTITB Operator of the Year Twitter Page.

About the Competition

The RTITB Operator of the Year Competition gives lift truck operators, their employers and their trainers the chance to showcase excellent training and operating skills. The event is a nationally recognised lift truck safety competition and prides itself on being safety and standards conscious. The competition sets out to acknowledge the hard work and skill that lift truck operators deliver daily in their job, whilst also raising awareness of the need for accredited training. The 3 stages are: an online theory and hazard perception test; national final testing held throughout the UK and Ireland and finally the Grand Final held at RTITB's headquarters in Shropshire. All prizes and trophies at the Grand Final will be awarded by Jane Willis Director of HSE's Cross-cutting Interventions Directorate. The 2nd runner up will receive £1000 of high street vouchers, the 1st runner up will receive a luxury holiday and the champion will receive a brand new car. TNT Express Services UK and Ireland and Toyota Material Handling UK are platinum sponsors of the competition.

RTITB
The core business of RTITB is the accreditation of materials handling equipment training, an activity carried out under HSE, HSE NI and HSA recognition. We accredit the training provided at over 600 training locations throughout the UK and Ireland and have a register of instructors in excess of 8000, all qualified by examination, along with a register of operators in excess of 250,000. The scope of our accreditation schemes include lift trucks and large goods vehicle as well as bespoke accreditation of equipment used in ports, airports, construction, agriculture, horticulture and by rescue services.

In 2003 RTITB purchased its current headquarters in Telford, Shropshire and established The RTITB Academy which provides Lift Truck and LGV instructor training, in support of its accreditation activity.

RTITB has monitored the development and introduction of the Driver CPC Directive since the late 1990s, resulting in the introduction of the Master Driver Consortium. The consortium already has a 160 strong membership and covers over 200 training locations throughout the UK. The Master Driver Consortium offers a high quality total management solution to the challenges faced by the logistics industry following the introduction of Driver CPC.

RTITB aims to set standards in accreditation and raise the standard of training by modernising training materials and systems. We are Centre for Assessment Ltd registered and operate Quality Management System BS EN 9001:2008 and operate an environmental policy. We will continue to strive for excellence together with the organisations we work with.

For more information click to view the RTITB website.

The National Finals are open to the public; however attendance (via www.rtitb.co.uk/fltcompetition) should be registered in advance as places are limited.