Vernon Hills, IL - March 12, 2020 - The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association and the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, recently launched the
Certified Forklift Technician Certification. On March 3, in Raleigh, NC the
NC Community College System, MSSC and MHEDA hosted the first
Educator & Industry CFT Summit.
Seventeen schools and fifteen forklift dealerships gathered to learn about the Certified Forklift Technician Certification. The CFT is an industry defined ISO accredited certification that schools around the country can purchase today. While many forklift dealers currently recruit from schools, the CFT gives dealers industry-defined curriculum, and assessments to approach schools.
Having an industry certification is a foundational step for the material handling industry. It allows forklift dealers to recruit students with an interest and certified understanding of repairing forklifts. Having a robust and qualified pool of talent cuts the training time for an entry-level technician, allowing dealerships to focus training on OEM specific products.
Attendees heard how President of Fairchild Equipment, Van Clarkson, and Dean of Waukesha Community Technical College, Mike Shiels brought the CFT to fruition. Waukesha Community Technical College currently offers the CFT and Fairchild Equipment recently recruited and hired students who have passed the CFT course.
While the CFT Certification is an industry-wide initiative, MHEDA Members are welcome to take advantage of the marketing video Day in the Life of a Forklift Technician, to use when exposing others to the lucrative career path of a forklift technician. To find more information, visit
www.mheda.org/cft.
MHEDA is a trade association that serves over 600 material handling distributors, suppliers and associate companies worldwide with a variety of education, networking and business services. For more information about joining MHEDA, please visit mheda.org or call 847-680-3500.For more information, please contact:Katie Richards
Member Engagement, MHEDA
201 US Highway 45
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
+1 847-680-3500
Send an emailwww.mheda.org