Instructional Techniques for Mechanical Handling Equipment

Course overview

Larger organisations may have a number of lift truck operators and, at times, it makes sense to consider having the in-house capability to train lift truck operators and to manage lift truck operations. This five day, cost-effective PETA course is designed to instil solid principles of practical and theory based training.

As your organisation gears up to train and certify forklift and mechanical-handling equipment operators in-house, this five-day instructor-level course offers a tailored solution. The Instructional Techniques for Mechanical Handling Equipment course is designed to enable experienced equipment operators to become effective instructors themselves, skilled in delivering safe, compliant operator training rather than just driving the truck.

Over the week delegates cover key theory and practice: legislation and regulatory context (including the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Code of Practice for rider-operated lift trucks, L117), the role and responsibilities of an instructor, how to analyse trainee skills and design lesson plans, delivering classroom demonstrations and practical sessions, carrying out pre-use checks and safety-critical operating practice, and giving effective feedback to trainees. Participants then guide a trainee through a full practical lesson and assessment cycle, planning, delivery, testing and certification of operators under their supervision.

From a business perspective, this course empowers you to internalise your operator-training capability: reducing reliance on external training providers, accelerating the upskilling of new drivers, and ensuring consistent quality and compliance across your operations. Successful delegates leave with the competence to run full operator-training programmes, administer tests and maintain documentation. The end result is stronger in-house competence, lower training cost per operator, and improved operational safety and audit readiness.ealth & Safety Executive (HSE)’s Approved Code of Practice and Guidance for rider-operated lift trucks, operator training and safe use (L117).

Course benefits

• Enables organisations to deliver forklift and mechanical handling training in-house, reducing reliance on external providers.
• Ensures consistent, compliant training aligned with HSE guidance (including L117).
• Builds a team of competent in-house instructors who can train, assess and certify operators.
• Improves workplace safety through stronger supervision, better operator habits and consistent standards.
• Reduces training costs and accelerates onboarding for new or redeployed operators.
• Enhances operational efficiency by ensuring operators are correctly trained from day one.
• Strengthens audit readiness and compliance documentation through structured training and assessment processes.
• Supports staff development and retention by providing a recognised instructor-level progression pathway.

Please note

Attendance is conditioned on delegates having at least 12 months’ operating experience on the relevant machine and a recent licence renewal (within six months) to qualify as instructor candidates

This course specification has been put together to achieve the key learning aims appealing to a broad range of customers. PETA are able to use this course as the basis of a bespoke programme if you would like the learning outcomes to be specific to your organisation. Contact us for more information on our bespoke training options.