Press Release: TK0088 August 16, 2016

More than half of workshops missing out on training

Employees in one in five vehicle workshops have received zero formal training on how to operate mobile heavy-duty lifts, and in a further 38% some but not all have received training. This is despite widespread acceptance of the importance of training for both safety and efficiency.

That's the surprise finding of a recent survey of attitudes towards training amongst workshop managers across the coach and bus, commercial and specialist vehicle industries.

Carried out by the UK's number one supplier of heavy-duty vehicle lifts, TOTALKARE, the survey found that nearly 85 per cent of respondents either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that formal training can help staff work more efficiently, as well as more safely.

Tim Jackson, TOTALKARE Managing Director, commented: "Whilst it's shocking that there is still a minority of workshops that have not undertaken any formal training on the use of their lifts, at least the message about the importance of training is beginning to get through.

"It is also encouraging to note that more than eight of ten respondents agreed that some training was necessary to comply with health and safety legislation."

The survey was carried out in June 2016 with almost 100 workshops participating in the survey. Of these, 38 per cent were from the coach sector, and also represented were the bus sector, logistics, the waste and recycling industry and the specialist vehicle sector.

Other key findings included:

• Training delivery on site was important or very important for 92 per cent of workshops considering heavy-duty lift training.

• More than three quarters (78.5 per cent) believed minimum cost was important or very important.

• Visual aids and reference material were important or very important to 77 per cent of respondents.

Tim added: "The findings of this survey will help us to shape training in general and training materials in particular for workshops operating heavy-duty lifts.

"The survey has also highlighted some attitudes towards the importance and value of training - and the need for a carefully structured approach when it comes to recognising operator competence."

The survey report can be viewed in full at http://www.totalkare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Totalkare-survey-report_v4.pdf.

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About TOTALKARE

Formerly known as SOMERSTOTALKARE, TOTALKARE is the UK's number one supplier of heavy duty vehicle lifting solutions and after sales care. The company has been supplying heavy duty vehicle lifts to the UK market for over 30 years, selling more than 6,000 sets of mobile lifts to customers ranging from multi-national operators to independent workshops.

In addition TOTALKARE offers a range of ancillary equipment, comprehensive operator training, after sales care and services and an array of financial options to suit every kind of business, providing the ultimate and total quality solution for all your heavy duty vehicle lifting requirements.

Company contact:

Tristan Johnston

T: 0121 585 2724

E: tristan.johnston@stkare.co.uk

Media Contact:

Martin Farrow

Changeworks Communications Ltd

T: 01785 247588

M: 07771 970025

E: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk