B1 Novice
For candidates with no experience
£570.00
inc. VAT · £475.00 exc. VAT
Course Includes:
- Up to five days of training
- Price per candidate
- Maximum three candidates
- Five-year ITSSAR accreditation
B1 Novice
For Candidates With No Experience
£570.00 inc. VAT£475.00 exc. VAT
- Up to 5 Days Training
- Price Per Candidate
- Maximum 3 Candidates
- ITSSAR 5 Year Accreditation
- Price Advertised Is for Training at Our Training Centre in Richborough
B1 Experienced
Already Has Experience
£420.00 inc. VAT£350.00 exc. VAT
- Up to 2 Days Training
- Price Per Candidate
- Maximum 3 Candidates
- ITSSAR 5 Year Accreditation
- Price Advertised Is for Training at Our Training Centre in Richborough
B1 Refresher
1 Day Course
£325.00 inc. VAT£270.83 exc. VAT
- 1 Day Training Course
- Price Per Candidate
- Maximum 3 Candidates
- ITSSAR 5 Year Accreditation
- Price Advertised Is for Training at Our Training Centre in Richborough
B1 Conversion
For Existing Forklift Licence Holders
£325.00 inc. VAT£270.83 exc. VAT
- Up to 2 Days Training
- Price Per Candidate
- Maximum 3 Candidates
- ITSSAR 5 Year Accreditation
- Price Advertised Is for Training at Our Training Centre in Richborough
ITSSAR B1 Forklift Operator Training
ITSSAR Counterbalance Forklift Training
Professional B1 Counterbalance Forklift training in Kent for novice, experienced, refresher and conversion candidates, with ITSSAR assessment and five-year accreditation.
ITSSAR-accredited training
Novice, experienced, refresher and conversion
At our centre or your workplace
Choose Your Counterbalance Forklift Course
Select the route matching your experience and qualification status.
B1 Experienced
For operators with practical experience
£420.00
inc. VAT · £350.00 exc. VAT
Course Includes:
- Up to two days of training
- Price per candidate
- Maximum three candidates
- Five-year ITSSAR accreditation
B1 Refresher
One-day refresher course
£325.00
inc. VAT · £270.83 exc. VAT
Course Includes:
- One-day training course
- Price per candidate
- Maximum three candidates
- Five-year ITSSAR accreditation
B1 Conversion
For existing forklift qualification holders
£325.00
inc. VAT · £270.83 exc. VAT
Course Includes:
- Up to two days of training
- Price per candidate
- Maximum three candidates
- Five-year ITSSAR accreditation
Counterbalance Forklift Training Kent
Professional ITSSAR B1 Counterbalance Training
Counterbalance forklifts are among the most widely used lift trucks in warehouses, factories, builders' merchants, distribution centres and industrial workplaces. Their versatility makes them ideal for loading vehicles, moving palletised goods and handling materials indoors and outdoors.
Kent Training delivers ITSSAR Counterbalance Forklift training for complete beginners, experienced operators without formal certification, existing lift-truck operators requiring conversion training and qualified operators who need refresher training.
Courses combine essential theory with practical instruction and assessment so delegates develop the knowledge, control and confidence needed to operate safely and efficiently.
Successful candidates receive an ITSSAR-accredited operator certificate and registration through the Trained Operator Passport Scheme, known as TOPS.
What Will You Learn?
Course content is adapted to the candidate's experience while maintaining the required ITSSAR training and assessment standards.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
Operator duties, employer authorisation, safe systems of work and relevant workplace legislation.
Components & Controls
Steering, braking, hydraulic controls, warning devices, mast, forks and safety systems.
Pre-Use Inspections
Systematic daily checks, defect identification, reporting and equipment isolation.
Forklift Stability
Load centres, rated capacity, gradients, momentum, turning forces and overturn risks.
Safe Manoeuvring
Accurate steering and control in open areas, aisles, confined spaces and realistic workplace situations.
Laden & Unladen Travel
Safe travel with and without loads while maintaining visibility, control and fork height.
Load Assessment
Assessing load condition, weight, security, stability and suitability before handling.
Stacking & De-Stacking
Lifting, placing and retrieving loads safely at appropriate working levels.
Vehicle Loading
Safe loading and unloading of suitable vehicles, trailers and designated loading areas.
Pedestrian Awareness
Safe operation around pedestrians, workplace traffic, blind spots and restricted areas.
Forks & Attachments
Correct fork positioning and safe use of approved attachments within equipment limits.
Parking & Shutdown
Safe parking, securing, isolation and completion of post-use procedures.
Your Counterbalance Training Journey
The course route is selected around your experience before completing theory, practical instruction and formal ITSSAR assessments.
Choose the Correct Course Route
Your previous forklift experience and qualifications are reviewed to select novice, experienced, refresher or conversion training.
Theory Training
Learn operator responsibilities, truck controls, stability, rated capacity, hazards and safe working principles.
Pre-Use Inspection Training
Complete systematic daily checks, identify defects and understand when equipment must be reported or taken out of service.
Practical Operator Training
Develop safe manoeuvring, travel, load handling, stacking, de-stacking and vehicle-loading skills.
ITSSAR Assessments
Complete the required theory test, pre-use inspection assessment and practical operating assessment.
Certification and TOPS Registration
Successful candidates receive ITSSAR accreditation for five years and registration on the Trained Operator Passport Scheme.
Understanding B1, B2 and B3 Counterbalance Categories
Operators must be trained and assessed on the truck category appropriate to the rated capacity of the equipment they will use.
B1
Up to 5,000kg
Rider-operated counterbalance lift trucks with a rated capacity up to and including 5,000kg. This is the most common warehouse and logistics category.
B2
Above 5,000kg to 15,000kg
Larger counterbalance trucks commonly used in heavy manufacturing, engineering, ports, timber operations and specialist materials handling.
B3
Above 15,000kg
Specialist heavy-capacity trucks used in ports, steel operations, heavy engineering and demanding industrial environments.
Training on a B1 truck does not automatically demonstrate competence on B2 or B3 equipment. Employers should ensure operators receive the correct training, familiarisation and authorisation for the machinery they are expected to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a B1 counterbalance forklift?
B1 covers rider-operated counterbalance lift trucks with a rated capacity up to and including 5,000kg. It is the category most commonly used in warehouses, distribution centres, builders' merchants and manufacturing environments.
Do I need previous experience?
No. The B1 Novice course is designed for complete beginners. Experienced, refresher and conversion routes are also available for candidates with existing knowledge or qualifications.
How long does the novice course take?
Most novice operators complete the course in three to five days, depending on delegate numbers, learning pace and practical progress. The advertised novice route allows up to five days.
What assessments are included?
Candidates complete an ITSSAR theory assessment, a pre-use inspection assessment and a practical operating assessment.
How long is the ITSSAR accreditation valid?
Successful candidates receive ITSSAR accreditation for five years and registration through the Trained Operator Passport Scheme, known as TOPS.
Can training be delivered at our workplace?
Yes. Kent Training can deliver training on-site using suitable employer equipment and facilities, subject to machine, site and operational requirements.
What is conversion training?
Conversion training is for operators who already hold a recognised qualification on another type of lift truck and need to train and be assessed on a B1 counterbalance forklift.
What is the difference between B1, B2 and B3?
B1 covers trucks up to 5,000kg rated capacity, B2 covers above 5,000kg up to 15,000kg and B3 covers trucks above 15,000kg. Training on B1 does not automatically demonstrate competence on B2 or B3 equipment.
Do employers still need to authorise operators?
Yes. ITSSAR certification demonstrates training and assessment, but the employer must still provide workplace-specific familiarisation and authorise the operator to use the actual equipment.
What PPE should I bring?
Candidates should normally wear safety boots, high-visibility clothing and any other PPE required by the training centre or customer site.
What jobs can this qualification support?
Counterbalance training supports roles in warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, builders' merchants, distribution, retail, wholesale, cold storage and industrial operations.
Can companies book several staff together?
Yes. Individual, group and corporate bookings are available, including workplace training, new-starter programmes, refresher training and site-specific assessments.
Areas We Cover
Counterbalance Forklift Training Across Kent and Beyond
Training is available at our Richborough centre or at suitable customer premises across Kent and surrounding counties.
Kent Training, Ramsgate Road, Richborough, Sandwich, Kent
Supporting Operators and Employers
We regularly provide ITSSAR training across:
Canterbury
Ashford
Maidstone
Dover
Folkestone
Sittingbourne
Medway
Thanet
London
Essex
Sussex
Surrey
Need Help Choosing the Correct Forklift Course?
Speak with the Kent Training team about your experience, truck category, rated capacity, delegate numbers and training location.