Plant Operator Training

Forklift & Plant Instructor Training Course

Train the trainer for plant and forklift operator instructors — the instructional techniques to deliver and assess operator training to standard. Delivered in-company by experienced instructors.

KeyOstas certificate Trusted since 1984 In-company delivery Train the trainer
Key facts at a glance
~10 days
New instructorTypical new-instructor course
3–5 days
Re-registrationFor already-qualified instructors
In-company
DeliveryTutor-led, UK-wide
Experienced
PrerequisiteFor experienced, competent operators
Course options

New instructor or re-registration

The instructor course is delivered in-company at two levels — for new instructors, and for already-qualified instructors re-registering.

Re-registration

Re-registration / refresher

3–5 days typical duration
  • For instructors refreshing or re-registering
  • Updates instructional technique and current standards
  • Practical teaching practice and assessment
  • KeyOstas certificate on successful completion
Make an enquiry
The qualification
Quick answer

What is the Forklift & Plant Instructor course?

The Forklift & Plant Instructor course is a train-the-trainer programme that prepares experienced operators to deliver and assess plant and forklift operator training — the instructional techniques, lesson planning and assessment skills an operator instructor needs.

A train-the-trainer course for operator instructors
Instructional technique, lesson planning and course delivery
Assessing operators to the required training standard
For experienced, competent operators moving into instructing

Good operator training depends on good instructors. This course develops the instructional techniques an effective plant or forklift instructor needs — planning and structuring training, delivering theory and practical sessions, demonstrating skills, and assessing operators fairly and to standard. It is for experienced, competent operators ready to move into an instructing role, and is delivered in-company by KeyOstas’s own experienced instructors.

Train the trainer
Develop operator instructors
~10 days
Typical new-instructor course
In-company
Delivered at your premises
Since 1984
KeyOstas training experience
Is it right for you

Is the instructor course right for you?

This is a train-the-trainer course — for operators becoming instructors, not for learning to operate.

Right for you if…

You have experienced, competent operators ready to become instructors
You want to train and assess operators in-house rather than always buying it in
You have instructors who need to re-register or refresh their technique
You want instructors developed by experienced trainers
You want the course delivered in-company, around your operation

A different course fits better if…

You need to learn to operate a machine — see KeyOstas forklift and plant operator courses
You have no experienced operators to develop into instructors yet
You need a single operator trained, not an instructor — see the relevant operator course
After the course

What you will be able to do

By the end of the course your new instructors will be able to plan, deliver and assess operator training.

Deliver training

Plan a course

Structure and plan operator training, with clear aims and lesson plans.

Teach effectively

Deliver theory and practical sessions using sound instructional technique.

Demonstrate skills

Demonstrate operating skills clearly and break them down for learners.

Assess to standard

Assess fairly

Assess operators’ theory and practical performance fairly and consistently.

Give feedback

Give constructive feedback that develops the operator.

Keep records

Understand the records and standards that underpin operator training.

Course content

What the instructor course covers

Delivered through tutor-led sessions and supervised teaching practice, organised into four areas.

1

The instructor’s role and the standards

  • The role and responsibilities of an operator instructor
  • The training standards operator training must meet
  • Health, safety and the duty of care in training
2

Planning and preparing training

  • Course structure, aims and lesson planning
  • Preparing the training area, machines and materials
  • Adapting training to different learners
3

Delivering training

  • Instructional technique for theory and practical sessions
  • Demonstrating and breaking down operating skills
  • Managing the group and supervised teaching practice
4

Assessing operators

  • Assessing theory and practical performance fairly
  • Giving constructive feedback
  • Records, paperwork and the assessment standard
Assessment

How instructors are assessed

Assessment is through supervised teaching practice and assessment exercises.

TEACH

Teaching practice

Delegates plan and deliver training sessions under supervision, with feedback and development.

ASSESS

Assessment exercise

Delegates demonstrate they can assess an operator’s theory and practical performance to standard.

On successful completion, delegates receive a KeyOstas certificate confirming they have completed instructor training in instructional technique, delivery and assessment.
Why KeyOstas

Why train your operators with KeyOstas?

In-company, delivered by experienced registered instructors. Here is what you get.

01

ITSSAR-accredited training provider

KeyOstas delivers to ITSSAR standards and the HSE L117 Approved Code of Practice, with TOPS registration on accredited courses.

02

Accredited or in-house certificate

Choose an ITSSAR-accredited certificate, or a KeyOstas in-house certificate — both delivered to the same L117 training standard.

03

Specialists since 1984

Four decades of health, safety and operator training, led by experienced, registered instructors.

04

In-company, UK-wide

Delivered at your premises on your own machines, anywhere in the UK, on dates that suit your operation.

05

Novice to refresher

Course levels for every operator — new starters, experienced operators converting machines, and refresher training.

06

One point of contact

From first enquiry to certification, a dedicated team handles your booking, machine requirements and any tailored content.

FAQ

Forklift & Plant Instructor Training — frequently asked questions

Who is the Forklift & Plant Instructor course for?
It is for experienced, competent operators who are ready to move into an instructing role — training and assessing other operators — and for existing instructors who need to refresh or re-register.
Do I need operating experience first?
Yes. Instructor training is for experienced, competent operators. You need a solid grounding in operating the machines before you can train others on them.
How long is the course?
A new-instructor course typically runs around ten days; a re-registration or refresher course for an already-qualified instructor is usually three to five days. We will confirm for your delegates.
What can I do after the course?
You will be able to plan, deliver and assess operator training — letting your organisation train and assess operators in-house rather than always using an external provider.
Is the course delivered in-company?
Yes. KeyOstas delivers the instructor course in-company, around your operation, using experienced instructors.
What certificate do delegates receive?
On successful completion delegates receive a KeyOstas certificate confirming instructor training in instructional technique, delivery and assessment.
Can you also train our operators?
Yes. KeyOstas delivers the full range of forklift, lift-truck and plant operator courses — instructor training simply lets you bring some of that capability in-house.

Develop your own plant and forklift instructors

Talk to our team about in-company instructor training — turn your experienced operators into qualified instructors.

Last reviewed: May 2026 — checked against the Safety Pass Alliance scheme and current course pricing.