FLT Driver Training

For the basic FLT, I did a 2 day course many years ago. It is difficult to fail really. Just do everything slowly, and look around everywhere while you are being observed. It starts in the classroom, max. Loads, lift heights, H+S etc.
This was just basic picking up pallets and moving them around on a basic small FLT.
There are loads of different types of trucks now, so go for the one that you will use the most in the situations you will need it, e.g. a building site FLT is totally different from a small work units needs and environment.
Here’s the best training video, watch that, and you’ll be qualified.
FLT training

I did my counterbalance training about 10 years ago, it was a 4* day course and gave us a 5 ton ticket followed by refresher training every few years. RTITB certified. The courses can either give the attendees a proper licence or, if you're a miserable **** a company specific licence that costs exactly the same. Then you have to be trained in the specific model you use by someone qualified** to do so.

https://www.gtg.co.uk/training-courses/search-courses/?category=forklift-plant

*That's assuming everyone can drive, if you can't then that's extra time to teach someone how to operate it.

**Your own site designated trainer.

I did a two day course for basic FLT when needed it working on a dock. Simple to do but was ages ago so no idea of price now.

RTITB certified

This is the main certification body for Counter balance, reach truck, isle truck etc. SO use a trainer who will give you a proper cert.

I can't remember how long my course was, probably a 2 days spread out over 5 days as I did it on the job, per cert.
Basic FLT might only qualify you to drive up to a 1.8ton counter ballance (typical warehouse type truck), different classes of truck require different certs, so it depends what you are using or wanting to use.

EDIT...some warhouse companies do, or did a cheaper course that qualified you on site, but the qualification was only valid at that place, and not technically transferable.

Used to do this as a job. Several recognised bodies, AITT, ITSSAR, RTITB, BRITOP and more, just Google them. If you have your own forklif, training can be delivered on your site, alternatively there are training centres with appropriate kit. Duration varies from 3 to 5 days. No idea on price these days but as with anything, you get what you pay for.

Brings back some memories, hahah! I remember 'Bob' my instructor, a massive ex-millitary guy, making me go forwards and backwards through a tight maze, the walls of which were made out of pallets stood up on thier sides, knock one over and you start again!

But I will say one thing, once you can drive a counterbalance, you'll be able to parrelel park your car with your eyes closed, and have permission to laugh at those who struggle, hahah!

Those courses I linked are £498

I remember ‘Bob’ my instructor, a massive ex-millitary guy, making me go forwards and backwards through a tight maze, the walls of which were made out of pallets stood up on thier sides, knock one over and you start again!

We did that at GTG only it was those bloody awful plastic orange crowd barriers set exactly a truck length apart that wobble if a fly farts too close.

As you say though, it definitely teaches you skills.

I did RTITB counterbalance with work. 3 day initial course with a 1 day refresher every 5 years.

The video @alanl linked to is required viewing for all FLT drivers.

Make sure you get the correct cert card and long pole to keep the ladies away once qualified.

If it is for your own staff, you can do 'in-house' training I think, on that particular machine. So, you hire a trainer for a day or so (depending on how many students there are). It's worth doing to erase bad habits (travelling with a load + raised forks etc), if nothing else.

Otherwise, counterbalance and/or reach certificates, divided by weight class.

Don't end up like Klaus!

I did RTITB, counterbalance + reach <1.5t and it was about £800 in 2017.