Operator training supports business

Mar 22, 2024 CFAO Equipment SA, accredited forklift driver license instruction, Pumza Sikaka,

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Operator training supports business

  

Ensuring the safe and effective operation of forklifts and other material handling equipment demands more than just technical expertise; it requires comprehensive training, regular maintenance, and an unwavering commitment to workplace safety. 

 

Recognising this critical need, CFAO Equipment SA has made it a cornerstone of their business to provide accredited forklift driver license instruction and a merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority) recognised forklift mechanic qualification. While forklifts are incredibly versatile machines, their full potential can only be realised in the hands of skilled, competent, and well-trained operators. Similarly, their operational life can only be prolonged through regular servicing and maintenance performed by expert technicians. 

 

Empowering operators through essential training - “Training serves as the central pillar of effective forklift operations,” emphasises Pumza Sikaka, Learning and Development Manager at CFAO Equipment SA. Trained operators are more adept at navigating challenges and adhering to safety protocols, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents and damage to equipment. CFAO Equipment SA offers comprehensive training in two key areas. 

 

Firstly, the company’s forklift driver training equips participants with the necessary skills to legally and safely operate the various types of forklifts that they sell. Upon completion, drivers receive an official license, validating their competence to operate specific machines. This training covers a wide range of topics, including start-up and shut-down checks, operational procedures, manoeuvring, load collection and handling, and familiarisation with the advanced features found in modern forklifts.

 

Additionally, the CFAO Equipment SA Training Academy, offers a four-year course endorsed by NAMB (the National Artisan Moderating Body). Eligible apprentices from Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and technical high schools undergo training to become accredited forklift mechanics, earning a highly regarded “Red Seal” trade certificate. This indicates that candidates have met the criteria for the trade’s national standard. Training, delivered by technical trainers who are registered assessors and moderators, includes theoretical instruction and practical skills, ensuring operators can efficiently and safely handle machinery in various environments. Candidates typically enter the programme as apprentices and emerge as highly skilled technicians, ready to contribute to CFAO Equipment SA’s workforce. Another pathway to accreditation is through the process of Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL). This is for experienced employees who have been working as technician’s assistants but are not officially qualified. These generally older candidates undergo an assessment to identify gaps in their knowledge and capabilities. Following this assessment, they receive targeted trade preparation training and, ultimately, undergo a trade test. Recognising their prior learning in the field, these technicians are exempt from completing the full four-year training programme to obtain their qualification.

 

The CFAO Equipment SA Training Academy adheres closely to these regulatory requirements, offering accredited training programmes and ensuring operators are compliant with relevant standards and regulations.

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• CFAO Equipment SA, accredited forklift driver license instruction, Pumza Sikaka,