Silvercard

Silvercard iS growiNg

on 8 october 2021, the nZ Forklift association announced it was starting a forklift training programme in conjunction with hIanZ. nZFIa are using the branding of Silvercard™ to promote their Forklift competent operator training product. the programme started in earnest in Mid-november to get trainer/ assessors up to speed on the presentation and resources.

thE aSSocIatIon has had constant calls about the quality of training in the industry for many years. There is a very large inconsistency in the quality delivered and it isn’t postcode related. It seems that there has for many years been a race to the bottom on the price of training and this has driven the quality down. Not to be overlooked is the fact the industry has a guidance document still in force, written by the then Department of Labour and people still provide training to that level under the auspices of an “OSH” certificate. All forklift trainers are required to be registered by Competenz who were authorised to manage training by Worksafe. Competenz has at times struggled with the industry and now they are breaking up into the new vocational education streams the government has seen fit to bring in (a completely separate and page filling subject). The association has in the past been unable to provide support or put in place a measurement of quality that can be used right across the country, until now. Silvercard™ Forklift Competent Operator training provides a high-quality training programme and furthermore, assesses all trainees to the NZQA Unit standards for forklifts. This measurement is how the programme creates consistency. The delivery through experienced, well managed trainers provides the quality. Silvercard™ Competent Operator provides both Elevating Work Platform and Forklift training and assessment. These two disciplines are closely aligned, and employers can be rest assured that staff who carry the Silvercard™ in either or both disciplines has been provided the best training and assessment available. Forklift users get the added benefit of holding a nationally recognised competency card for forklift operation and the added benefit of holding NZQA unit standards in forklifts, that may be used toward gaining a qualification.

New braNdiNg of the Silvercard™ competeNt operator card

With the expansion of the training and assessment provided under the Silvercard™ banner, with Forklift training joining EWP training, the branding of Silvercard™ has changed to include the expansion of training available. Silvercard™ Competent Operator is the new name of the training programme and the card face shows both a forklift, or an EWP silhouette dependent on the competency held. The new branding is a further freshen up and provides the same look and feel across the two training programmes. Furthermore, development on a QR code on the card allows employers, site managers or anyone shown the card, to access the competency details of the holder. Giving further confidence that the person operating has been trained at the highest levels. ■