Competition History

In 2008 RTITB and Sumoglove held the first Lift Truck Operator of the Year Competition giving lift truck operators, their employers and their trainers the chance to showcase excellent training and operating skills. 80,000 operators were invited to enter the competition; the invited NORS registered counterbalnce operators scored highly on their initial basic operating skills test and were further assessed by an online hazard perception and theory test.

From this the tiop scoring 8 competitiors from 5 regions around the UK and Ireland were selected to attend the regional finals at Barloworld Handling Limited, West Bromwich. From the demanding regional finals 10 finalists emerged to competet for the title of Lift Truck Operator of the Year 2008. The national final was an all expenses paid opportunity for the competitors to once again showcase their skills, whilst undertaking tests designed to challenge them at the highest level. Following the National Final, held at RTITB headquarters in Telford, Shropshire, the competitors, their partners, trainers, employers and industry representatives continued on to the spectacular Gala Dinner held at the Q Hotel Telford Golf and Spa.

2008 Results

Before presenting the prizes, Jane Willis, HSE's Director of Strategic Programmes gave a poignant speech highlighting the importance of training and safe operation and commending RTITB and Sumoglove for raising awareness of this through the competition.

 

Kenneth Saward,trained by DLT Training Limited was crowned National Champion and presented with a brand new Ford Fiesta.Second prize went to Steven Hall trained and employed by TNT Express Services UK and Ireland. Steven picked up holiday vouchers to the value of £2000.In third place was Daniel Giles trained by Staff 2 Work, who won holiday vouchers to the value of £500