Apprenticeships within the forklift industry.

Leading trade associations in the materials handling sector, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), have reiterated their commitment to developing quality apprenticeships, following a BBC Panorama programme, The Great Apprentice Scandal.

The programme - which aired on 2 April, 2012 - uncovered shocking evidence of private training providers in some sectors allegedly offering apprenticeships involving little or no work experience and inadequate training. Such an approach, if true, short-changes both the government, which provides funding, and crucially the young people who signed up to an apprenticeship.

Tim Waples, President of BITA, said: “Unlike other business sectors, the forklift industry actively needs to recruit young people and is currently aiming to take on around 200 apprentices a year. The development of the BITA Academy last year is clear evidence of our commitment, as an industry, to training and developing young people. We are keen to highlight the exciting and rewarding job opportunities available for young people in our sector.”

FLTA Chairman, Martyn Fletcher, said: “We were deeply saddened by much of what we saw on Panorama, and we hope young people are not put off all apprenticeships as a result.”

The forklift industry continues to work together to greatly enhance employment opportunities for graduates of the apprenticeship scheme and maximise the opportunities for retaining newly-skilled people within the sector.