UK-based Mentor Training sent a manager to Tanzania to implement a comprehensive education program for forklift driving instructors.

A training manager from UK-based Mentor Training has spent a fortnight in Africa to help improve teaching standards of forklift driving instructors.

Melvin England, who is field training manager at Chesterfield-based Mentor Training, was seconded to the National Institute of Training in Tanzania to implement a comprehensive education program as part of Mentor's support for Transaid.

"Forklift trucks can be some of the most dangerous machines; yet a lot of the time, operators in Africa have no formal training. By teaching the instructors how best to implement training programs, we are creating a benchmark which all forklift operators must meet, ensuring they are kept safe when using the machines," England explains.

His work, which forms part of Transaid's Professional Driver Training Project, included teaching the group of 11 forklift instructors how to safely demonstrate machines to their students, as well as how to put together comprehensive lesson plans.

"The dedication of participants to improve their teaching skills was quite breathtaking. Some walked 5 km (3.1 mi.) there and back to take part," England says.

England's work represents the first time Mentor Training has been involved in a Transaid initiative. He worked alongside Neil Rettie, who is Transaid's road safety project manager based in Tanzania.

Transaid is an international development agency that aims to improve people's quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save the Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.