Here at Ritchies Training we frequently receive enquiries from people looking to start work as a forklift driver and who are unsure of the legal requirement to be certified. Such questions are a direct result of the fact that there is no formal forklift driving licence in the UK unlike a Category B licence to drive a car or Category C licence to drive a Heavy Goods Vehicle, both of which we provide here at our purpose built centre.

In our purpose built hangar we offer 3 types of Forklift Truck Training accredited by Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR).  These are broken down into three categories which are:

• Five-Day Course – The five-day course is also known as the full course. This is the one you will want if you have absolutely no formal training or hands-on experience with forklifts. You will spend five days at our training facility learning everything you need to know to pass the certification exam and go on to work safely and productively.
• Three-Day Course – We offer a three-day mini course for forklift drivers who have on-the-job experience but have never been through formal training or certification. This course is shorter because most drivers that enrol only need a minimal amount of training to prepare for the certification exam.
• One-Day Course – Finally, we offer a one-day refresher course aimed at experienced drivers who have already been trained and certified. Why do we offer it? Because even veteran drivers can benefit greatly from refresher training. This training can also be used for professional development purposes by employers.

We also offer in-house training with one of our fully qualified FLT Instructors for those companies who require training on their own premises. For more information on these courses please contact us on the contact information provided on our home page.

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) is an individual award to assist in the personal development of eligible Military Service Personnel (SP) and Service Leavers (SL).

The aims of the ELC scheme are to:

1. Provide funding support to SP who wish to enhance their educational, academic, professional or vocational achievements by pursuing learning (Level 3 to 8) and
2. Enhance the reputation of the MOD, thereby encouraging the recruitment and retention of high quality SP.

We here at Ritchies Training Centre Ltd are registered as a preferred supplier to the Career Transition Partnership providing training for SP and SL.  Within this we are a registered company that conforms to the rules of ELC and provide Level 3 courses.

For further information on training courses, please contact our staff.

Any questions on ELC and Resettlement then please contact your immediate HR Staff

In order to provide the very best Heavy Plant Training using the very best machines available we have recently added a Manitou Telescopic Handler, MRT 2150 supplied from A.T Best Handlers Ltd, Airdrie, another positive step forward for our training centre and keeps in line with our core focus of delivering the very best training anywhere in the UK.

The MRT 2150 Privilege Plus is a rotating all-terrain telehandler which is ideally suited to construction and industrial applications. An absolute asset for handling operations, this 3-in-1 unit is simultaneously a telehandler, crane and work platform, and full 360° rotation means you can carry out various operations without having to move the machine.

With its pentagonal box section boom you get increased precision when steering with boom lateral rigidity preserved, regardless of the amount of wear, which translates to greater safety for both you and your teams. Both powerful and precise, there’s no way you can pass this training up within our purpose built area conforming to the standards of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) and National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS).

In order to provide the very best driver training using the very best machines available we have recently added four Volvo FM 15 Trucks to our existing fleet of driver training vehicles. These new Volvo FM  15 Ton vehicles are noted for their quality and reliability hence the decision was made to add them to our existing fleet, highly rated in the trucking industry, this weighty machine scores over its counterparts in aspects of power, torque, axles, gearbox, safety, and comfort.

VOLVO FM 370 takes the company’s legacy to new heights with an advanced build quality, reliability, and good fuel efficiency. A cutting-edge engine lineup and a host of other progressive features make this low maintenance heavy duty truck a must have for all large businesses. A huge payload carrying capacity easily accommodates tons of material at one go and saves multiple trips.

The upgrade to our fleet of training vehicles represents another positive step forward for our driver training centre and keeps in line with our core focus of delivering the very best driver training anywhere in the UK.

The delivery of crane training is one of our many courses held here at our purpose built centre, so it was great to receive a new addition to our crane family, an IHI 300T.

IHI Crawler Cranes are produced in Japan to the Highest Standards.

To date there are over 250 plus IHI Crawler Cranes working in Europe and IHI have been producing Crawler Cranes for over 35 years.

In December 2003, IHI Heavy Industries celebrated the 150th Anniversary of its establishment.

IHI are ISO14001 and ISO9001 Certified and are renowned throughout Japan and the world for producing extremely reliable and technologically advanced products.

The upgrade to our fleet of Heavy Plant Vehicles represents another positive step forward for our construction training centre and keeps in line with our core focus of delivering the very best training anywhere in the UK.

In order to provide the very best driver training using the very best machines available we have recently added five Volvo FLL Trucks to our existing  fleet of driver training vehicles. These new Volvo FLL 12 ton vehicles are noted for their quality and reliability hence the decision was made to add them to our existing fleet. The upgrade to our fleet of training vehicles represents another positive step forward for our driver training centre and keeps in line with our core focus of delivering the very best driver training anywhere in the UK.

The Vehicles spec comprises of the following:

• 12 Ton Volvo FLL
• 240 Engine Medium Cabinet
• Extended Cab For Training Purposes
• 9 Speed Range Changebox
• Euro 5 Eco-Friendly Engine

The Highest Level Of Driver Training Available Anywhere In The UK

Due to the high pass rate and the high level of driver training we provide, bringing these vehicles into our fleet will enable us to satisfy the increased demand for spaces on our driver training courses. It also represents our commitment to the environmental impact of the company by using the Euro5 eco friendly engine which alongside our recent solar panel upgrade should ease our environmental impact dramatically over the coming years.

The UK’s Leading Driver Training Centre

The vehicles were supplied by Volvo North in Scotland and the service level received when dealing with them has been exceptional. We are looking forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Volvo and hope to add more vehicles to our fleet over the next 12 months. This will help us further establish that we are the UKs leading driver training centre and that we mean to continue providing the highest quality driver training and vehicles that keeps us at the top.

We are now offering/awarding all drivers completing our uniquely designed “ Ultimate Driver Training Course” free driver CPC credits worth over £600. Yes that’s free driver CPC credits worth over £600.

A Change Of Career With Ritchies Driver Training Centre

Ever thought to yourself “i need a change of career” have you ever been passed on the motor way by a large goods vehicle (LGV) and insisted “I could drive one of those vehicles” Any vehicle or crane that you can earn a living from as a professional is covered with Ritchies training centre. We are the UK’s leading driver training and construction plant operator training centre for good reason.

Driver Training Provided By Experts

With over 30 years experience and numerous road haulage awards and achievements we are best placed to provide you the training and vocational qualifications that you need to earn a living from driving.

The Ultimate Driver Course

Ritchies “Ultimate Driver Training Course” offers military personnel completing any logistic resettlement course, ex-armed forces and drivers wishing to drive professionally the qualifications needed to further a career in transport and logistics. The Ultimate Driver Training Course is completed over 20 days and 28 nights and all drivers passing this training course will receive LGV Cat C, ADR or HIAB, PCV and LGV C+E qualifications. Essentially the ultimate driver training course offers one course for every vocational licence available.

Free Driver CPC Credits

By offering all drivers who successfully complete our Ultimate Driver Training Course free driver CPC credits, completing your training with Ritchies greatly reduces the qualification process for drivers because all driving hours needed to complete driver CPC are carried out “on the road” in the drivers natural environment.

High Pass Rate For All New Drivers

Our courses have been developed over 30 years to ensure that all drivers who participate in any of our driver training courses pass with flying colours, giving newly qualified drivers and plant operators the confidence to start a new career in the road haulage or construction plant industry.

Miles Better With Ritchies Driver Training Centre

You will probably find that other driver training companies in the UK will charge for Driver CPC credits and have no intention of offering free driver CPC credits whilst here Ritchies Driver Training Centre we are offering these credits free of charge to all drivers who successfully complete our Ultimate Driver Course.

For more information on our Ultimate Driver Training Course or any other Plant and Crane Operator training that we provide please call us on 0141 557 2212 or send an email to info@ritchiestraining.co.uk

Please feel free to browse our website and see what other qualifications you can earn with Ritchies Training including: IPAF, PASMA, IOSH CPCS training and more

As one of the UK’s foremost commercial driver training centre, based in Springburn, Glasgow were keen to support the Scottish government’s carbon reduction targets of producing 100% electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020 and contribute towards climate change which will leave a carbon free legacy for decades to come.

Carbon Free Generation System

In order to explore and assess the potential that the centre had for adopting a carbon free generation system, Tony MacDonald, Sustainable Energy Consultant from REAG UK (Renewable Energy Advisory Group) was contacted in order to advise on the various options that would be available.

After initial discussions an arrangement was then made for a full energy review to be carried out. This was serviced by Energy Savings Trust Scotland (EST) in August 2011. Once this review was carried out and key areas of potential energy generating technologies were assessed, it was concluded that a photovoltaic solar array was the most efficient and practical solution for the centre.

A 2 phase approach installed and Commissioned in Nov 2011:

Phase 1 consisted of installing a 9.6kW solar array consisting of approximately 40 x 240w Csun Solar Crystalline Photovoltaic panels/modules on 62m2 of the south facing roof of the training centre in order to monitor the performance of the system prior to starting phase 2. This system is designed to produce circa 7,459Kwh (hours of electricity) per annum. Saving 6.2 tonne CO2 per annum.

A Power- Solar Lake 10000tl inverter was installed to control the flow of DC (direct currency) received from outside radiation (gained from daylight) and convert to AC (alternating current) which in turn is distributed for use throughout the centre for electrical use. The system was installed and commissioned by Emotion Energy. Once this system was commissioned and operational phase two of the integration was initiated.

2nd Phase installed and Commissioned in May 2012

Phase 2 consisted of installing a 30.24kW array consisting of approximately 126x240w Csun panels/modules mounted on 190m2 roof area, adding circa 23,496 kWh of carbon free electricity per annum. 2 x Fronius IG Plus 150V -3 inverters were installed to managed system conversion. Saving 19.5 Tonne CO2 per Annum

Reducing The Operational Cost Of Energy Consumption

Annual electricity use prior to renewable measures was 125,000kWhr causing a carbon foot print of over 66 tonne CO2 per annum.Combined energy generation from solar production circa 30,955 kWhr per annum – creating a reduction of 25% in costs with this saving rising annually in line with energy rate increases.
Combined saving of 16.3 tonne CO2 per year – creating a saving of 25% in current Carbon emissions.

The solar panels have a life expectancy of 40 years further benefiting in the overall scheme of the centres carbon and electrical savings.  In line with government Feed-in-Tariff incentives the centre will benefit from a guaranteed power generation income for the next 25 years.

Assisted funding sourced by Tony MacDonald to allow ease of purchase and integration of the system as well as an early payback on investment.

View The Samil Power Solar Lake Data Sheet Here

View the Technical Data On The Fronius Plus

HGV Test Information & Advice

You have completed your HGV theory tests, undergone practical driver training and now it’s time to take the practical test (Module 3). Your test should last approximately 90 minutes. This includes ‘tell me, show me’ questions, the reversing exercise and road drive (approx 1 hour). Your instructor will have explained the test scenario and trained you to the standard required to pass. Below are 20 quick tips to help you achieve success

1. Make Progress…this is really important! Where safe to do so you must make progress. You have to demonstrate you know what the speed limit is and keep up with other traffic.

2. Forward plan – Don’t leave everything to the last minute. Look ahead and plan early. Remember your truck takes longer to stop than a car.

3. Use your reversing marker. Using a marker fixed to the trucks rear mud guard will help ensure you get the rear of the truck into the box perfectly. Your instructor should advise you on this.

4. Remember both parts of your licence (and theory test certificate). Not having these documents will mean no test.

5. Have a pre-drive. It’s not advisable to train for hours and hours on test day. You want to be fresh and ready not tired and drained. A 40-60 minute pre-drive is recommended and should bring you up to speed.

6. Mirrors! Mirrors!, Mirrors!. An important factor. Before doing anything (moving off, speeding up, changing gear, slowing down etc.) you must check your mirrors.

7. Gears to go. Brakes to slow. Using your to gears to slow down is not accepted and can cost you faults. A competent driver will use the brakes to slow and then select an appropriate gear to proceed.

8. Know your test area. You will not know your test route in advance of your test (DSA soon to stop publishing test routes.) It’s a good idea however to be familiar with the testing area.

9. Controlled stop. To change from 1.1.2011. The braking exercise (controlled stop) will be carried out on the public highway.

10. Face forward when mounting the truck. Face forward when dismounting. Use the hand rails and steps. Maintain three points of contact.

11. Go to bed early the night before your test.

12. Remember your Examiner is only human. He/she appreciates a smooth, controlled drive like anyone else.

13. Meeting oncoming traffic. Be prepared to slow down and stop your vehicle when meeting oncoming large vehicles. It is much easier to asses awkward situations when stationary or moving slowly.

14. Do a pre-use vehicle check prior to your test. While doing your check you can cover all the potential tell me show me questions.

15. Take your seat belt off when carrying out the reversing exercise. It only gets in the way. Remember to put it on again once the maneuver is complete.

16. Moving off from any stationary position. You must always check your mirrors and blind spot.

17. You don’t need to wear a suit to impress. Comfortable work boots and attire would suffice.

18. You can commit up to 15 minor faults and still pass your LGV practical driving test. If you make a mistake, move on and forget about it. Dwelling on prior mistakes only creates more mistakes.

19. Reversing Exercise. You can take up to 2 shunts, if required. If you take a shunt. Make use of it. You can also get out of the vehicle once. You should use this to ensure you have placed the rear of the truck in the correct place.

20. Switch of your mobile.

21. When you pass please refrain from kissing the Examiner. He/she is only doing their job.

For more information on HGV Training contact us today on 0141 557 2212