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In Sweden there is no requirement for a formal national forklift training, but the employer has to make sure that the employees have the qualifications necessary to handle a forklift correct and safely. In co-operation with several partners, the Swedish Trade Association for Suppliers of Mobile Machines made a recommendation of how to make a suitable training for forklift drivers. This recommendation includes a syllabus in which both theoretical training and purposes of practical training are described. This recommendation is often the basis for forklift drivers' training, because it makes the requirements transparent and therefore makes it possible to compare training programmes from different suppliers.

The framework of the E-Truck follows the overall objectives from the recommendation, which enables the tool to be used as a training tool across different training suppliers. The E-Truck is made by MA-system AB in Sweden. MA-system is a training and consulting company which has its primary focus on logistics positions. As an example MA-system AB offers courses related to warehouse management and production logistics.

The training system shows the possibility of integrating e-learning into well-known and traditional training programmes. The introduction of e-learning gives several new possibilities for the participants and the companies/ training suppliers to use the training system both as a tool for basic training and as a tool for brush up training.

The e-learning programme includes several exercises to make sure that the participant has the necessary knowledge. The exercises are made in the E-Truck with a direct connection to the training supplier. Each of the participants receives a unique password and username. Using the password the participants will link to the server and run the test. By using this routine it is possible to manage the numbers of attempts each participant has made to do the exercises. In total there are 26 exercises. Each of them can be done in about 30 minutes. There is a limit of how often the participant can do it. The exercises are connected to check questions at two different levels. The highest level reflects compulsory knowledge. The lower level consists of questions of a more briefing character, by which the participant can demonstrate a general knowledge of the area.

The lessons in the E-Truck follow the chapters in the book "Truck 2". The textbook "Truck 2" gives the participants the possibility to find answers in unknown areas.

The E-Truck is also useful for brush up training for experienced forklift drivers. For brush up, the programme is reduced to 4 special selected sections, and 11 exercises and games. To support the participants, extracts from the textbook "Truck 2" are used.

A lot of the necessary knowledge for forklift driving is difficult to understand by using traditional teaching material e.g. books, but by using a computer based training system it is possible to design exercises that guide the participants through the learning process. Using e-learning opens possibilities for interactive learning, which is an advantage for complex problems, because it shows the consequences of the decisions. E.g. what are the consequences if the loading diagram for the forklift is not adhered to?

Included in the guide are different examples and problems, which the participants have to solve. By solving the problems, the participants will have a direct response. Moreover, it is possible to look for more information - by using the textbook or the E-Truck - if the problem was not solved correctly.

E-Truck follows the recommendations of the Trade Association for Suppliers of Mobile Machines for forklift training. In Sweden there are no formal national requirements for forklift training, but the employer has to make sure that the employees have the right qualification for driving a forklift.

The training programme is based on 10 different sections, which cover all essential elements of forklift training. The sections cover:

• Introduction to the training system
• Introduction to different types of forklifts
• The construction of the forklift
• The stability of the forklift
• Material handling
• Handling of goods
• Traffic and safety
• Working environment and warehouse
• Dangerous goods

The E-Truck in combination with practical training gives the participants the necessary qualifications to drive a forklift. The qualifications are acquired by using the guided training system.

The traditional training concept for training forklift drivers requires two days theoretical training and followed by a written test. By using the E-Truck the theoretical training is reduced to one day plus the written test. The written test has not been removed, although the E-Truck has integrated exercises.

The use of a computer based training programme can cause problems with users who are not familiar with computers. The target group for forklift training is very widely related to age and education, and there is no requirement for using computers as a daily part of the job. Therefore some of the participants do not have any basis for using computers. However, the typical use of the E-Truck is part of a class teaching, and therefore there are instructors available to help the participants in using the training system.

Another general problem is that some of the participants have problems reading. For this problem there is no solution yet.

This system has special focus on interactive e-learning, presenting the syllabus in a new context, which gives new possibilities for training forklift drivers. The training concept can be used in traditional classroom training, but it is also possible to use it as distance learning within companies. Through this combination the training system can be used in all sorts of companies.

The E-Truck is a new system, which is still being improved. In the first year more than 200 companies and training institution have used E-Truck as a part of their training. More than 1,000 participants from different training programmes have used E-Truck as a part of the training.

The general reaction from the user is satisfaction, because the structure of E-Truck both gives input to the theoretical training and is a funny way of learning.

The training system shows that it is possible to create an e-learning system in an area of non-traditional distance learning. The programme also shows it is even possible to introduce distance learning to physical handling in a company. Through this possibility companies can introduce training for forklift drivers for a large group of employees. The structure of the training programme shows that it is possible to make e-learning programmes for handling of machinery and safety instruction. The use of the programme can both be used for learning and reviving the needed qualifications.

It will be possible to transfer this training system to other countries where the (necessary) requirements for forklift driving are similar. The training is in line with recommendations from the Swedish Trade Association.

Further information about E-Truck: www.masystem.se/o.o.i.s/1133