New Apprenticeships for Lift Truck and Powered Access Technicians

In a major new development for the UK sector, a Level 3 Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician apprenticeship standard and end point assessment (EPA) have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education.

The 36-month course will be recognised by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (I/MechE), the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Originally part of the UK Government’s Trailblazer initiative, the new standard is the result of industry-wide consultation coordinated by F-TEC – the forklift industry’s training facility – working in tandem with a steering group drawn from across the industry. Among the manufacturers, dealerships and industry bodies involved were Crown, Linde, Acclaim Handling, IPAF, BITA, FLTA, Lomax Powered Access and Briggs Equipment.

Announcing the news, F-TEC’s managing director Karl Baum said, “The training landscape is changing, and we have worked with organisations of every size from across the industry to create a modern standard that meets the needs of both employers and apprentices.

“It has been an extraordinary team effort and we are delighted that the new standard has been approved. We look forward to implementing it on future programmes.”

It is anticipated that the new standard will be introduced initially for those starting new apprenticeships this summer, with full enrolment expected by September.

Speaking on behalf of the steering group, its chairman Kevin Sowerby of Crown emphasised the scale of the achievement. “This is a hugely important development. It is the result of a great deal of hard work and the widest possible consultation in order to ensure that the standard is truly representative and meets the requirements of the whole industry.

“At this moment we have some concerns regarding funding levels but are working with the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education in order to resolve them.”