With the RTITB Operator of the Year Grand Final just over two weeks away, all 8 tests have now been planned and finalised. Although details of the tests must be kept confidential until the final, RTITB took the time to contact each of the 10 Grand Finalists regarding their thoughts on the impending final.

A number of the competitors commented on the Counterbalance Operator's DVD which was used within the associated knowledge test throughout the National Finals. During this test, the competitors were required to watch 6 minutes of short clips and then
answer 10 open ended

Northern England National Champion Gary Maher

questions based on the footage they had seen. The operators were marked on how many questions they had answered correctly, incurring penalty points for any incorrect answers.

Many of the 10 competitors were unaware that they were in actual fact, watching a training DVD from the RTITB Assist range. Northern England champion, Gary Maher, said: "At the time I was watching it I thought it could or should be used as a training tool/DVD. I was really surprised by how much I remembered and took away." Upon learning that the DVD was a comprehensive training tool, many stated that they would ensure to watch the DVD ahead of the Grand Final.

2011 Operator of the Year Northern England National Final,

With the RTITB Operator of the Year Grand Final looming, watch some of the highlights from this year's competition so far. This video brings you the highlights from the Northern England National Final

Although the competitors will be unaware of what the tests will entail until the final on Friday 16th September, the DVD will act as a strong reminder of the safe and correct methods of fork lift truck operation. Stephen Roberts, Welsh National final runner-up, said: "The DVD was very helpful as I hadn't been on a lift truck for quite a while. It was educational and serves as a reminder for the correct practices to follow when operating a lift truck."

The Counterbalance Operators DVD is a modern and comprehensive visual aid which can be utilised by instructors, employers and regulators alike. The first of its kind, the DVD teaches the viewer the correct practices to follow and the reasons why they must be adhered to. Simon Doherty, RTITB's Technical Development & Standards Delivery Manager, said of the DVD: "RTITB strive to be at the forefront of innovative product development, providing products that support their customers' delivery of high quality training. The Counterbalance Operators DVD engages powerful instructional techniques and clearly delivers the intended learning objectives which support lasting behavioural change."

The DVD, which covers over 20 chapters, including an introduction to the truck and the correct methods of manoeuvring, has been well received by others in the industry. Dave Copping, Operations Learning & Development Manager at TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, also commented on the DVD, saying: "The DVD provides an excellent insight into correct operating techniques. TNT is always keen to invest in their people and this is represented in the standard of training all employees undertake in their job roles. The Counterbalance Operators DVD will play a major role in ensuring all lift truck operators continue to receive the highest quality training available."

With such an effective and valuable tool at the competitors' disposal, it is guaranteed that the Operator of the Year Grand Final 2011 will be bigger and better than its predecessor.

For further information on the Counterbalance Operators DVD or to place an order, please visit www.rtitb.co.uk/assist or email assist@rtitb.co.uk


The Grand Final is open to the public who can register their attendance via the RTITB website at www.rtitb.co.uk/fltcompetition/registertoattend (attendance should be registered in advance as places are limited).

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/registertoattend) should be registered in advance as places are limited.