Whether you are in the logistics, construction or engineering industry, going through a forklift course and getting a forklift licence increases the value you can bring to your company. This is because knowing how to operate a forklift or boom lift gives you the ability to lift and transport heavy goods and cargo quickly and efficiently. Because of the nature of these industries, forklifts are normally required to transport and move large inventory and cargo and that is why companies value employees with adequate forklift licences and certifications. In line with Singapore Forklifts’ vision for lifelong learning, we want to provide readers with sufficient information to make an informed decision on where to obtain a proper certification to operate a forklift in a workplace environment.
As of 1 October 2009, the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) “Operate Forklift” Competency Standard, endorsed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, has been implemented. The Standard requires all workers operating forklifts to have undergone the required training, and additionally, display the required competencies for forklift operation. Having a conducive place to train and practice is important. Therefore, in this article, we summarise the top 8 places to take a forklift course in Singapore
1. NTUC Learning Hub
NTUC Learning Hub is an organisation devoted to providing training solutions and services. Their programmes focus on WSH standards, making them highly reliable and credible. The team provides a myriad of courses classified mainly into courses for workers, managers, supervisors, professionals and trades skills.
These are the costs and duration of the respective forklift courses offered by NTUC Learning Hub:
The 5-day course covers similar content as the 3-day one, but at a slower pace for learners who require more time to learn effectively, especially for those without a Land Transport Authority (LTA) Class 3 driving licence. In addition, there is also a 1-day Refresher Course for forklift operators who have attended the “Forklift Operator’s Training Course” more than 3 years ago.
In general, both the WSQ Operate Forklift courses aim to educate trainees in 4 essential aspects:
- Operating a Forklift
- Inspecting a Forklift
- Preparation of Forklift before Operating
- Reinstatement and Handing Over of Forklift
The course focuses heavily on both theory and practical training, with highly trained professionals as mentors throughout the course. NTUC Learning Hub also provides industry-standard, high-quality forklifts throughout the course for trainees to become adept in the operations of a forklift.
Throughout both of these forklift courses, the 3-day course (25.5 hours) and the 5-day course (42.5 hours) both accredit the trainee with a Safety Pass from NTUC Learning Hub and a Statement of Attainment (SOA) from the WDA.
Pre-Requisites
- Above 18 years of age
- Possess a valid LTA Class 3 driving licence (for the 3-day course only)
- Those who have failed the practical assessment for the 2nd time will have to retake the entire course
Requirements to Pass
- 100% attendance to the course
- Pass a theory assessment (30 minutes test)
- Pass a practical assessment (45 minutes test)
Funding
- Skills Development Fund (SDF), Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Workfare Training Support (WTS) funding available for corporate registrations
- WTS funding available for individual trainees
- Applicable for SkillsFuture funding for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PR) aged 21 and above and Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above
Contact
Phone: +65 6336 5482 (Individual)
+65 6266 5482 (Corporate)
2. PSA Institute
PSA Institute began in 1962 as a training institute and has had many years of experience in training personnel. They offer various courses which have shaped Singapore’s Shipping and Logistics industries and have trained up to 600,000 personnel to date, both Singaporeans and foreigners. Some of their courses include lifting, signalling, rigging, working at height, safety and port operations.
Stated below are the costs and duration of the respective forklift courses provided by PSA Institute:
Other forklift courses include the Heavy Forklift Driver’s Training Course, Safe Forklift Operations in the Container Terminal, and Safe Forklift Operations in the Warehouse. Although these courses are more suitable for intermediate and advanced forklift operators, it reiterates PSA Institute’s expertise in the area of forklift training.
For the standard beginner’s WSQ Operate Forklift Courses, PSA Institute offers 2 separate courses, one for theory and one for practical, each with different time frames and languages. The WSQ Operate Forklift Course (Theory) is taught in English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay, while the WSQ Operate Forklift Course (Practical) is taught in English and comprises of 2 courses – a 2-day one for those with a Class 3 driving licence and a 4-day one for those without.
Basically, the topics covered aim to help the trainee attain the skills stated below, which are highly relevant to today’s industrial needs. The theory and practical-based topics are as follow:
- Workplace Safety and Health Act
- Forklift Introduction
- Daily Safety Checks
- Forklift Capability, Limitations and Stability Issues
- Cargo Symbols and Instructions
- Operation Basics and Traffic Management
PSA Institute separates its theory and practical forklift training into 2 different courses to allow greater convenience for its trainees. This, in turn, allows trainees to learn at a suitable pace without compacting all the knowledge required into a short period of time. It is in PSA Institute’s culture to use only its own training materials, aids and curriculum, while adhering strictly to the local context of forklift operation. The mentors at PSA Institute are trained consistently with numerous years of experience in the field, hence ensuring the quality of the forklift courses provided.
After passing the Theory and Practical WSQ Operate Forklift course, the graduate will be presented with a Certificate of Successful Completion from PSA Institute and an SOA from WDA.
Pre-Requisites
- At least 18 years of age with no medical or physical disability preventing the efficient use of a forklift
- Applicants above 60 years of age must produce a medical certificate of physical fitness
- Possess a valid LTA Class 3 driving licence (for the 2-day practical course only)
- Theory course must be completed before attempting the Practical segment
Requirements to Pass
- Pass the Theory Test
- Pass the Practical Test
Funding
- SDF and Skills Redevelopment Program (SRP) funding available
Contact
Phone : +65 6771 7307/ 7335/ 7383
Email: psainstitute@globalpsa.com
3. AAT Training Hub
AAT Training Hub has been around since 2005, and has trained over 15,000 forklift personnel since its inception. They are accredited by major government agencies such as WDA, MOM, Singapore Civil Defence Force as well as the International Air Transport Association. They provide various aviation-based courses, safety, construction and WSQ-based courses as well, apart from forklift courses. Similar to PSA Institute, AAT Training Hub also provides Refresher and Heavy Lifting Forklift courses for the intermediate and advanced forklift users.
Here are the costs and duration of the respective forklift courses offered at AAT Training Hub:
For their WSQ Operate Forklift courses, all technical and administrative functions of a forklift operator would be covered. Much similar to NTUC Learning Hub, AAT Training Hub offers 2 courses, which are the 3-day and 4-day training courses for acquiring a forklift licence. The 4-day course aims to provide a slower pace for learning, especially for trainees without an LTA Class 3 driver’s licence. The course contents are outlined as shown below, adhering to the WSQ Standard:
- Operating a Forklift
- Inspecting a Forklift
- Preparation of Forklift before Operating
- Reinstatement and Handing Over of Forklift
AAT Training Hub was the first pioneer in providing private training for forklift operators. Despite their short inception, they have gained the necessary accreditation from many major government agencies for various forms of training, which highly emphasises their focus on safety and strong reliability. Quality in education is definitely assured with AAT Training Hub.
After the course, students will be awarded the SOA from WDA for completing the WSQ course.
Pre-Requisites
- Possess a valid LTA Class 3 driving licence (for the 3-day course only)
- Trainees above a certain age group must produce a medical certificate of physical fitness
Requirements to Pass
- Completion of entire course
Funding
- Applications of funding through Skills Connect
Contact
Phone: +65 6292 4804
Email: admin@aattraininghub.com
4. UMW Equipment
UMW Equipment & Engineering Pte Ltd is the exclusive authorised distributor for Toyota Industrial Equipment, Komatsu Heavy Equipment and many reputable brands in Singapore. Founded in the 1960s, they have grown to become a trusted and reliable brand in the material handling industry. The company provides forklifts for sale as well as forklift rental services.
UMW is an Accredited Training Provider (ATP) that is authorised by MOM to conduct forklift driver training courses. Their forklift licence training courses are also approved by Singapore WDA under the WSQ framework.
The costs and duration of the forklift operator courses provided by UMW Equipment are as follow:
There are 2 different courses available – one for individuals with Class 3 driving licences (3-day course) and one for those without (4-day course). During the course, trainees will be educated on the functional features of the forklift truck as well as the capabilities of the forklift trucks. UMW’s forklift courses also focus on improving the productivity for forklift operators and industry-approved safety procedures and practices.
The topics covered during the course include:
- Operational and safety checks
- Understanding forklift capabilities
- Basic lift truck operations and manoeuvring
- Pallet and rack stacking
The forklift course from UMW is suitable for logistics and warehouse personnel who need to operate a forklift in the line of their work. SOAs will be awarded to participants who complete the course successfully and also pass the competency assessment at the end of the course.
Pre-Requisites
- Possess a valid LTA Class 3 driving licence (for the 3-day course only)
Requirements to Pass
- Completion of entire course
- Pass simulation test
- Pass oral questioning test
Funding
- SRP funding available
- Applicable for subsidies from SDF
- Claimable under SkillsFuture Credit for Singaporeans aged 25 and above
Contact
Phone: +65 6265 3155
Email: sales@umweepl.com.sg
5. Tat Hong Training Services
Tat Hong Training Centre was founded and established in 1999 to provide a wide range of skills and knowledge based training to a variety of industries. Located in Sungei Kadut, the Tat Hong Training Centre provides comprehensive training and re-training courses to ensure that trainees get educated on the latest operational practices and knowledge in their respective industries.
The costs and duration of the forklift courses at Tat Hong Training Centre are as listed below:
The objective of the WSQ Operate Forklift courses is to properly equip trainees with the skills and knowledge required to carry out forklift operations safely and efficiently. There are two segments to the course, which are the theory and practical portions. Some of the main elements of the training include:
- Preparing and learning how to carry out a forklift operation
- Inspecting a forklift before operations
- Forklift operations
- Maintenance procedures after forklift operations
Depending on whether you have a Class 3 driving licence, the course will be either 3 or 4 days. Upon completion of the course, trainees will be awarded an SOA under the Singapore WSQ Framework. Should participants fail the final assessment, they will also be allowed to retake either the theory or practical portion.
Pre-Requisites
- At least 18 years of age
- Singaporean, PR or holder of a valid employment pass or work permit
- Physically and mentally fit for training
- Able to read and write simple English
Requirements to Pass
- Pass theory assessment
- Pass practical assessment
Funding
- Applicable for subsidies from Skills Development Fund (SDF) and Skills Redevelopment Program (SRP)
Contact
Phone: +65 6269 5269
Email: sales@thtc.com.sg
6. Wong Fong Academy
Wong Fong Academy, a subsidiary of Wong Fong Engineering, has a clear vision of being a leader in Singapore’s Continuing Education and Training sector. They place a strong emphasis on instilling workplace safety practices in all learners so that everyone can play their part in taking personal responsibility for safety. With academies in the east, west and north, the team at Wong Fong hopes to make their courses accessible to all interested individuals.
Here are the costs and duration of the respective forklift courses available at Wong Fong Academy:
Their courses can cater to individuals with and without a Class 3 driving licence as those without a driving licence will be required to attend a 1-day theory lesson and 3-day practical session, whereas those who do have a licence will only be required to a 1-day theory lesson and 2-day practical session. Also, participants can attend the theory and practical sessions separately based on the dates provided for their convenience.
After completing the course and passing it, participants will receive a photo pass and be awarded an SOA from SkillsFuture Singapore.
Pre-Requisites
- Above 18 years of age
- Able to interpret work instructions and technical information
- Able to understand, read, write and speak English at a proficiency level equivalent to level 3 of the ESS
- Able to process numbers at a proficiency level equivalent to Workplace Numeracy Level 3
Requirements to Pass
- Complete the entire course and be certified as competent
Funding
- Applicable for SkillsFuture funding
- Claimable under SkillsFuture Credit for Singaporeans aged 25 and above
Contact
Phone: +65 6863 3686/ 3885
Email: sales@wfa.sg
7. SMF Centre for Corporate Learning
The SMF Centre for Corporate Learning (SMF CCL) started out with the objective of empowering SMF member companies. Noticing that there is an increasing demand for such training and development courses, they have since expanded to include other companies and individuals who are seeking to better their skills as well, as they believe that the strongest asset of every organisation is their people.
Stated below are the cost and duration of the Forklift Operation Course at SMF CCL:
This course includes a 1-day theory session, available in English and Mandarin, as well as a 2-day practical session. Theory sessions are held on Mondays, while practical sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or Thursdays and Fridays. Some of the topics covered during the training would include:
- Capabilities and Limitations of Forklifts
- Operational Dos and Don’ts
- Travel forward, reverse in straights line and around corners
- Stack and Unstack Dummy Cargo
The objectives of this course would be to educate forklift operators on the vehicle’s operations, driving safety and hazard awareness as well as to provide them with adequate hands-on experience to become competent and safe operators. Upon completion of the course, successful participants will receive a Forklift Driver’s Training Course Certification accredited by WDA.
Pre-Requisites
- At least 18 years of age
- Applicants who are 62 years and above must produce a medical certificate of physical fitness
- Singaporean, PR or holder of a valid employment pass or work permit
- Possess a valid LTA Class 3 driving licence
- Physically and mentally fit for the training with no handicap
- Able to read and understand simple English
Requirements to Pass
- Pass all required assessments
- At least 75% attendance
Funding
- Government grant available
Contact
Phone: +65 6826 3100
Email: enquiry.ccl@smfederation.org.sg
8. UBTS Training Centre
UBTS Training Centre is an award-winning Approved Training Organisation by the WDA. Through their courses, they seek to offer modified learning based on each participant’s needs and to equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute to a safe workplace.
The costs and durations of the respective forklift courses at UBTS Training Centre are as listed below:
Similar to most of the organisations that we have touched on so far, UBTS provides WSQ Forklift Operation courses for learners with and without an LTA Class 3 driving licence. Those with a valid licence are only required to attend a 2.5-day course (22 hours), whereas those without a licence will be required to attend a 3.5-day course (32 hours). Topics covered during the theory and practical lessons would include:
- Parts of forklift and their functions
- Inspect forklift
- Reinstate and hand over forklift
After completing the course and passing all required assessments, participants will receive the Safety Pass awarded by UBTS Training Centre and WSQ SOA.
Pre-Requisites
- At least 21 years old
- Trainees above 60 years old must be certified to be medically fit to attend the training course
- Singaporean, PR or holder of a valid employment pass or work permit
- Able to understand, read, write and speak English at a proficiency level equivalent to level 3 of the ESS
- Able to process numbers at a proficiency level equivalent to Workplace Numeracy Level 3
- Able to read and understand manufacturer’s instructions, procedures and safety signs
- Have a good sense of situational awareness and safety consciousness
Requirements to Pass
- Pass all required assessments
Funding
- WTS and SDF funding available
- Applications of funding through Skills Connect
Contact
Phone: +65 6425 6787
Email: training@ubts.com.sg
Comparisons
Quality
All the 8 stated institutes for taking the WSQ Operate Forklift courses employ capable and experienced professionals as mentors while being long-standing educational agencies with the required accreditation.
Flexibility
PSA Institute and Wong Fong Academy stand out by providing 2 separate courses (theory and practical), which the trainees do not have to take continuously.
Cost
| Institute | For those with LTA Class 3 driving licence | For those without LTA Class 3 driving licence |
|---|---|---|
| NTUC Learning Hub | $406.60 | $620.60 |
| PSA Institute | $330.00 | $545.00 |
| AAT Training Hub | $374.50 | $567.10 |
| UMW Equipment | $406.60 | $620.60 |
| Tat Hong Training Centre | $342.40 | $572.45 |
| Wong Fong Academy | $321.00 | $535.00 |
| SMF CCL | $449.40 | Not offered |
| UBTS Training Centre | $299.60 | $556.40 |
For the shorter forklift courses for those with LTA Class 3 driving licences, UBTS Training Centre offers the cheapest option, followed by Wong Fong Academy and PSA Institute. As for the courses for those without LTA Class 3 driving licences, the most affordable option would be Wong Fong Academy, followed by PSA Institute and UBTS Training Centre.
Pre-requisites
For the shorter forklift courses for those with LTA Class 3 driving licences, UBTS Training Centre offers the cheapest option, followed by Wong Fong Academy and PSA Institute. As for the courses for those without LTA Class 3 driving licences, the most affordable option would be Wong Fong Academy, followed by PSA Institute and UBTS Training Centre.
A summary of the main pre-requisites are summarised in the table below.
| Institute | Must be Singaporean, PR or holder of valid employment pass or work permit | Must be physically and mentally fit | Required to provide medical cert of physical fitness | Must be able to understand, read, write and speak English | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTUC | 2nd time failures will have to retake the entire course | ||||
| PSA | ✓ | Above 60 years of age | |||
| AAT | Above a certain age (not specified) | ||||
| UMW | |||||
| Tat Hong | ✓ | ✓ | Basic | ||
| Wong Fong | ESS Level 3 | Workplace Numeracy Level 3 | |||
| SMF CCL | ✓ | ✓ | 62 years and above | Basic | |
| UBTS | ✓ | Above 60 years of age | ESS Level 3 | Workplace Numeracy Level 3 |
Requirements to Pass
All the 8 institutes require a passing of their theory and practical assessments. However, NTUC Learning Hub and SMF CCL require an additional 100% attendance and at least 75% attendance respectively for their WSQ courses.
Funding
The table below shows a summary of all the funding options available at each institute.
| Institute | SDF | WTS | SME | SRP | Skills Connect | Skills Future Funding | Skills Future Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTUC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| PSA | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| AAT | ✓ | ||||||
| UMW | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Tat Hong | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Wong Fong | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| SMF CCL | |||||||
| UBTS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
NTUC Learning Hub offers the most avenues for funding at both corporate and individual levels, followed by UMW Equipment and UBTS Training Centre.
Forklift License Validity In Singapore
According to the Singapore Standards Council SS573 : 2012, forklift operators are expected to attend a forklift refresher course every 3 years. This is to ensure that they stay up-to-date with current safety practices and procedures.
Getting A Forklift License in Singapore
In conclusion, there are many institutes in Singapore that provide forklift courses and each institute offers varying benefits in terms of flexibility, cost and other factors as discussed. However, what remains important is the drive of a worker to constantly improve himself or herself. With numerous grants and funding by the government for both corporate and individual registrations, what are you waiting for? Hop on a forklift today! Looking to get a forklift? You can get check out our forklift rental services. We also have a range of forklifts for sale!
