BETA Qualifications opens applications for training centres
The announcement
BETA Qualifications is a new awarding body for plant, lifting and lift truck operator cards. From today, training centres can apply to become BETA approved centres.
BETA has written a standard for each of its first 14 categories. Twelve are machines: the counterbalance forklift, reach truck, very narrow aisle truck, powered pallet and stacker trucks, 360 excavators below and above 10 tonnes, the forward tipping dumper, three telehandler categories, the scissor lift and the mobile boom. The other two are lifting roles: slinger and signaller, and plant and vehicle marshaller. Each standard sets what the category covers, the routes to a test, and the shortest a course may run for each group size.
A centre applies with evidence of its business and insurance, its training area, its machines and their inspection records, its instructors, the person who checks its quality, and its written policies. BETA reads the evidence and tells the centre if anything is missing. An assessor then visits the site, inspects the machines and talks to the instructors. The centre is approved, approved with actions to complete, or refused with reasons. An approved centre signs the centre agreement and receives its centre number.
Each instructor is approved by BETA in their own right, one category at a time. Approval of a centre lasts 12 months and is renewed after an audit.
BETA does not train operators or run courses. Approved centres deliver the training and the tests, BETA reviews every result before a card is issued, and every card can be checked on the BETA register by anyone, free of charge.
BETA is not yet recognised by CITB, is not part of the CSCS scheme and is not regulated by Ofqual. It is working towards recognition by CITB.
To ask for the application pack and the current fees, email info@betaqualifications.com with your business name, where you are, and the machines you want to train on.