The long-term future of the UK material handling sector is being threatened by the twin challenges of an aging workforce and a lack of young talent being attracted to pursue careers in the industry. The perfect storm could also threaten the long-term viability of the myriad businesses which rely on efficient material handling equipment to fulfil their operations. In order to effectively tackle this growing skills shortage the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) has taken the proactive step of launching a series of new initiatives.
Since its formation in 2020,UKMHA has offered a diverse array of training opportunities for its members, as well as the wider industry. It does so to help businesses gain the necessary skills to perform tasks more effectively. The recent launch of its 11 new technical training courses, representing an impressive three-fold increase, is designed to equip companies in the material handling sector with the appropriate skills their workers need.
UKMHA’s training offer, combined with the association’s new dedicated apprenticeship initiative, is designed to support the industry in cultivating future talent whilst also enhancing the skills of the current workforce.
Rob Fisher, UKMHA CEO said: “We are excited to work in partnership with SMB College Group on these two fantastic initiatives which have been designed to address the unique requirements of the material handling industry.”
He continued: “SMB College Group is renowned for providing outstanding learning experiences, delivered at their impressive facility in Leicestershire.”
To launch its apprenticeship scheme, the UKMHA held an Open Day to showcase the programme to companies across the UK. Esteemed brands like Crown Lift Trucks, Linde, STILL and Toyota Material Handling UK have already committed to utilising the scheme to train their apprentices.
“Forklift truck service engineers play a crucial role in maintaining material handling equipment (MHE) to the highest standards, whilst reducing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly, which in turn keeps the whole logistic operation moving forward,” said Amit Mistry, Technical Product and Training Engineer at Toyota Material Handling UK.
He added: “Currently there is a shortage of skilled forklift truck service engineers. Forklift truck apprenticeship standards were developed to fill the skills gap in the industry. Having worked with MHE apprentices for over a decade, the Forklift Truck apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to jump start your career with prospects of progression in the industry.”
The UKMHA apprenticeship programme is an excellent choice for companies aiming to develop talent internally. It also offers aspiring material handling professionals a valuable opportunity to earn while they learn.
Commenting on the collaborative partnership between Crown Lift Trucks and SMB College, Crown’s Apprentice Training Manager Sam Ivey said: “At Crown, we are dedicated to developing the next generation of material handling talent, and partnering with SMB College has enabled us to provide our apprentices with exceptional training. Offering state-of-the-art facilities, a team of experienced tutors and outstanding student support services, SMB College goes above and beyond to provide the best possible education for aspiring engineers and technicians.”
Sam continued: “The relationship we have built with SMB College helps us ensure that our apprentices are trained to the high standards Crown is known for.”
Rob Fisher concluded: “Ensuring you have the right individuals for each role is crucial. This is why hiring an apprentice presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to recruit, train, and nurture future talent.” For more information, please visit: https://ukmha.org.uk/training-and-apprenticeships/
