(L-R) RTITB managing director Laura Nelson with FOTY 2013 winner Ryszard Janus.

Former Forklift Operator of the Year and Wincanton employee Ryszard Janus has qualified as an RTITB forklift instructor.

Janus, who beat 39 other finalists to be crowned the best forklift operator in the country in 2013, says his achievement helped develop his confidence to become a forklift operator instructor.

"There was some serious competition at the 2013 event, so I was thrilled to have won," he says. "Being recognised as a skilled forklift operator has helped me to further develop in my career and I am pleased to say that I have passed my RTITB training to become a qualified forklift operator instructor."

Janus was announced as the Forklift Operator of the Year at a gala dinner event in September 2013 (Forkliftaction.com News #635).

The RTITB Forklift Operator of the Year competition is held every three years.

"It encourages operators to strive to be the best, resulting in safer skilled operators in the workplace and, as demonstrated by Ryszard, it can contribute to career progression, encouraging operators to take pride in their work," says RTITB managing director Laura Nelson.

The 2016 competition kicks off with an online theory test in April 2016. The top 40 entrants will be chosen to compete in live heats at the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) from 13-16 September 2016, with the top 10 finalists moving on to the grand final held in early 2017.

To enter or find out more, visit www.opofyear.com.