BITA and FLTA have jointly emphasised the attractiveness of a forklift engineering career.

After a slip-up in the official announcement of its apprenticeship joint-initiative with City of Bristol College, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) has issued a joint statement with the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) to show a united front.

Tensions between the two associations that play an active role in supporting the UK forklift industry emerged after BITA claimed its new initiative offered "the only dedicated industrial truck apprenticeship scheme in the UK leading to an Institute of the Motor Industry-accredited forklift apprenticeship".

Both have "kissed and made up" since FLTA's chief executive David Ellison issued an open letter that covered BITA's press announcement (Forkliftaction.com News #540).

Forkliftaction.com News has removed the article containing BITA's initial claims from its archive out of respect for the two associations. Both have been leading authorities on the Thorough Examination (TE) since its introduction in 2003 (Forkliftaction.com News #133).

Through their joint venture, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), BITA and FLTA introduced TE, a national forklift safety inspection for all forklifts operating in the UK, to ensure uniform standards and promote forklift safety.

In the joint statement released this month, both reiterated the attractiveness of a forklift engineering career: "Thanks to a series of initiatives from both of the trade associations representing the UK forklift industry, there are now forklift engineering options to suit the full range of companies and students, accommodating every type of business that needs to maintain forklifts.

"Many different parties from across the industry have worked hard to develop forklift apprenticeships that are accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the sector skills council for the automotive retail industry," the statement says.

The apprenticeships are delivered as Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (forklift) qualifications, within the forklift pathway of the IMI's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (England) Apprenticeship Framework.

Both trade associations recognise the importance of attracting fresh talent to the industry at a time when many existing engineers are approaching retirement.

Details of the UK apprenticeship options available are tabulated below.