Taking place every three years, RTITB's competition recognises and celebrates the best, and more importantly, the safest forklift operators here in the UK and internationally. This year, to discover true talent, RTITB are inviting everyone to get involved, meaning that forklift drivers don't need to have an RTITB certificate to enter.

HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION

To discover the operator of 2016, this year's competition will see three phases of testing The first phase opened on 4th April and will be an online test where operators will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of pre-use checks, and driving safely and efficiently through a series of questions and video-clips.

"The test not only assesses the knowledge and operating skills required to prevent various types of incidents, but also identifies those individuals that have the right mind-set, with positivity, a sense of responsibility, teamwork, awareness and receptiveness to learning and improvement," says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB.

Following the online testing, the top 40 candidates will be invited to the heats at the IMHX in Birmingham to demonstrate their skills as a safe and competent forklift driver. This heat will consist of a theory test, a pre-use test and 2 practical driving tests, where operators can really shine.

The 10 best operator's from these heats will then be invited to take part in the grand final at RTITB's headquarters in Telford on 11th November.

This competition isn't just focused on the best though, RTITB have designed the competition to help all entrants improve their safety and efficiency as a forklift operator. Following the online testing on 30th June, RTITB will send feedback to employers and operators outlining where they ranked in comparison to every other driver that took the test. With operators from across the UK and some international participants, this will provide a unique and global benchmark against which employers can measure the skills and competence of their forklift team.

The competition will cost employers just £45 per entrant, and is open to employers and operators alike across the world. To compete as the forklift operator of the year, and to receive detailed assessments of your operator's skills and efficiency, and ultimately a clear indication of how competitive your workforce is, you just need evidence that your operator has been trained on a counterbalance truck within the past five years.

For more information or to register to participate please visit: www.opofyear.com, or send an email.