RTITB Operator of the Year Competition: Irish Finalist Samuel Millar

Jul 21, 2011 Warehousing Ireland News 0

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‘I know what I need to do to win’ Irish National Final Champion Samuel Millar is ready to fight for the Operator of the Year crown

When crowned champion of the Operator of the Year 2011 Irish National Final back in May of this year, Samuel Millar, of Ballymena, expressed his sheer delight at his win stating: I’m really looking forward to the Grand Final and I’m hoping to do well.’ With just two months to go until the big final, to be held on 16^th September at the RTITB Headquarters in Telford, Shropshire; Samuel, like the other 9 Grand Finalists, is getting ready for the big day where he will have a chance to shine and an opportunity to win the coveted title of Operator of the Year.

Of the looming final Samuel said: ‘I’m excited for the big day and really looking forward to the challenge.’ Details of the 8 tests the competitors will be expected to complete have been kept a secret from the finalists, with the details to be revealed on the morning of the final. Although he is unaware of what’s to come, Samuel is still feeling positive about his abilities: ‘I’m feeling confident in the sense that I’ve done some minor practise. I’m just going to give it my best go. I’m not by any means saying I’m going to win it, just that I’m confident in what I need to do.’

With no knowledge of what’s to come and potentially a minor recollection of what the tasks entailed at the Irish National Final which was hosted by Daralinn Training Ltd in Blanchardstown, Dublin, Samuel is aware that he cannot prepare for the unexpected, but on preparing for the Grand Final said: ‘I’ve not done any additional practise as such, I’ve just been adhering to the correct health and safety procedures that I must follow in my day-to-day job. I don’t want to over-prepare, I just want to make it as difficult as possible for everyone else!’

With 6 years experience in lift truck operation, Samuel, who was trained by Woodhill Training Services, has been extremely complementary of the Operator of the Year competition, which is currently in it’s second year, stating: ‘It was very well organised and enjoyable. I also found it extremely useful for my development with health and safety practise when operating fork lift trucks.’ When asked if he would recommend the competition to other operators within industry Samuel said: ‘Definitely! It gives you credit as a lift truck operator. It’s a lot of fun, a good day out and a great way to meet some new and interesting people.’

Samuel will be joined by Irish National Final runner-up, Brendan Meagher of Portarlington, County Laois. The Grand Final daytime event is open to the public who can register their attendance via the RTITB website, www.rtitb.co.uk/fltcompetition. Attendees will be able to watch all 10 Grand Finalists compete for the chance to win a brand new car, meet the RTITB team and enjoy the selection of entertainment and refreshments that will be offered throughout the day.

Notes for Editors:

About the Competition

The RTITB Operator of the Year Competition gives lift truck operators, their employers and their trainers the chance to showcase excellent training and operating skills. The event is a nationally recognised lift truck safety competition and prides itself on being safety and standards conscious. The competition sets out to acknowledge the hard work and skill that lift truck operators deliver daily in their job, whilst also raising awareness of the need for accredited training. The 3 stages are: an online theory and hazard perception test; national final testing held throughout the UK and Ireland and finally the Grand Final held at RTITB’s headquarters in Shropshire. All prizes and trophies at the Grand Final will be awarded by Jane Willis Director of HSE’s Cross-cutting Interventions Directorate. The 2^nd runner up will receive £1000 of high street vouchers, the 1^st runner up will receive a luxury holiday and the champion will receive a brand new car. TNT Express Services UK & Ireland and Toyota Material Handling UK are platinum sponsors of the competition.

RTITB

The core business of RTITB is the accreditation of materials handling equipment training, an activity carried out under HSE, HSE NI and HSA recognition. We accredit the training provided at over 600 training locations throughout the UK and Ireland and have a register of instructors in excess of 8000, all qualified by examination, along with a register of operators in excess of 250,000. The scope of our accreditation schemes include lift trucks and large goods vehicle as well as bespoke accreditation of equipment used in ports, airports, construction, agriculture, horticulture and by rescue services.

 

In 2003 RTITB purchased its current headquarters in Telford, Shropshire and established The RTITB Academy which provides Lift Truck and LGV instructor training, in support of its accreditation activity.

 

RTITB has monitored the development and introduction of the Driver CPC Directive since the late 1990s, resulting in the introduction of the Master Driver Consortium. The consortium already has a 160 strong membership and covers over 200 training locations throughout the UK. The Master Driver Consortium offers a high quality total management solution to the challenges faced by the logistics industry following the introduction of Driver CPC.

 

RTITB aims to set standards in accreditation and raise the standard of training by modernising training materials and systems. We are Centre for Assessment Ltd registered and operate Quality Management System BS EN 9001:2008 and operate an environmental policy. We will continue to strive for excellence together with the organisations we work with.  

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