The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) has partnered with City of Bristol College to launch a dedicated forklift-truck apprenticeship scheme.



The newly created BITA Academy will offer the apprenticeship scheme, which leads to an Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) accredited forklift-truck apprenticeship. Apprentices on the IMI Awards diploma will also receive a BITA-branded quality-assured certificate. Recruitment for apprenticeships, which start in January, is already underway.



The course content is tailored specifically for BITA and its members and is delivered by a structured training team using dedicated workshops and branded course materials. Candidates from all companies are welcome to apply, and you don’t have to be a BITA member to participate.
 
The Academy was opened by local MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, Jack Lopresti, who marked the occasion by unveiling a plaque. BITA board member, Bill Goodwin, believes graduates will be equipped in “the best possible way” to work with the latest industrial truck products. He said: “Until now, there hasn’t been a course on offer that delivers all aspects of the skill-set that BITA members are looking for in newly-qualified engineers. As the industrial truck sector is actively seeking new blood, we are optimistic that the BITA Academy will deliver a win-win solution for young people seeking a rewarding career and BITA members seeking fully-qualified lift-truck engineers.”
 
City of Bristol College Principal Keith Elliott added: “This joint initiative combines a completely new approach to forklift training, a new facility (the BITA Academy), and a new qualification. City of Bristol College is the UK’s largest training centre for the forklift-truck industry, with all students working exclusively on forklift products.”
 
For more information, visit www.bita-academy.org.uk