Westerra Equipment offers comprehensive training for forklifts, lift equipment, construction equipment and more at our centres across Western Canada or on-location at grounds of your choosing. Courses typically take one day to complete however larger equipment or multiple certifications can take up to 3 days for completion. This guide runs through the stages of getting certified for Class 1-7 forklifts and what to expect from the testing process.

Who Needs a Forklift License and What License is Best?

With forklifts separated in 7 different classes, depending on the size and functionality of your machine you may need a specific course for certification. It’s important to note that all classes of forklift requires operators to be certified for legal use. Certification with Westerra Equipment takes less than a full day with many students returning to work after the course to see out their day! Alternatively, you can book all courses as a bundle when training with Westerra Equipment. Check out our dedicated forklift training page to get more info on different forklift types and their associated license requirements through the button below.

What Does Certification Involve?

Our forklift class 1 – 7 courses are all structured in the same way with half practical and half theoretical testing. Educational training requires students to follow a short lesson on safety and operation before completing a written pass/pass/failure graded multiple choice exam to test knowledge gained throughout the lesson. It is important to remember and take note of safety and operative rules regarding forklift operation to pass accordingly.

Refresher courses are where you already have a forklift license but require re-evaluation to maintain certification. This should occur every 3 years of active or inactive service. The process of re-evaluation would be like the process of initial certification. In select cases you may be required to complete refresher courses earlier than every 3 years given one of the following situations:

1. Report of unsafe driving within workplace.
2. Involvement in an accident (forklift related).
3. Assignment/upgrade to a different forklift class.
4. Any changes in conditions that directly impact operative health & safety.

What Have Our Prior Certified Students Have Said About Our In-Person Courses:

Ø Public transport accessibility is easy for our locations.

Ø Easy to pick up even if no equipment training has ever been done before.

Ø Easy to follow teaching and personable teachers.

Ø Safety equipment given – still a good idea to bring steel toe and high vis (not needed).

Ø 8:30 - midday. Get back to the jobsite straight after.

Looking for Online Training?

We are delighted to provide you with an extensive range of online safety training courses aimed at supporting the establishment and upkeep of a secure, efficient, and compliant work environment. These courses complement certifications and contribute to increased productivity at the worksite (please note that they do not fulfill full certification requirements in Canada). Our catalog features over 1000 online courses spanning General Safety, Equipment Operation, Hazard Awareness, Electricity, Professional Drivers, and Soft Skills. These offerings cater to individuals across diverse industries such as construction, warehousing, logistics, oil and gas, transportation, agriculture, and beyond.

Knowledgeable Teachers & Years of Team Experience

As always, our knowledgeable and friendly staff are more than happy to help you decide what training course or equipment options are best for your needs. Contact us or use the training request form via the links below or using our live chat to find out more about our training and equipment options or alternative choices for your requirements.