Whitirieia Gains New Forklift Instructors

Whitirieia Gains New Forklift Instructors for Trades Training Centre

Whitireia has received approval from the Department of Labour for four people to be trained as OSH Forklift instructors. The approval couldn’t have come at a better time, with demand high and students keen.

Whitireia has been offering forklift driving qualifications since 2002. With one tutor approved last year and the addition of three new licensed tutors this year, there will be more places available for students on the course. Along with a brand new forklift, students can receive qualifications quickly and have improved access to machinery.

The qualification is offered both as a stand alone qualification; with the Forklift Operators Certificate and also as part of the Certificate in Commercial Road Transport. The forklift qualification is a requirement for anyone driving a forklift on any “road”, which refers to any public area where people may be walking, driving or have any kid of access.

Industry trained students are highly sought after and will underpin the growth of a strong foundation to the country’s economic future. Chief Executive at Whitireia, Don Campbell, says Whitireia is committed to trade training. “This is the traditional role of polytechnics and this is where labour development meets infrastructure need. We need to be able to accommodate the increased numbers of students who are seeking these industry skills.”

With a revamped trades training centre in Porirua, Whitireia offers carpentry, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, roofing, commercial road transport, aviation, automotive engineering and electrical engineering programmes. For students who are unsure about which trade they want to enter, Whitireia offers a Certificate in Trade Skills – that allows students to try their hand and build general abilities.

One year courses can step students into work, through industry apprenticeships.

ENDS

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