Warehousing and Forklift Academy helps build new workplace skills

Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP), in partnership with council and local employers, has launched a Warehousing and Forklift Academy.

Running from May 18–22, the academy is being held at at Workforce Training Services, 465–467 Antrim Road, Belfast.

Funded by the Department for Communities (DFC), Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional levels to support people towards and into work.

Participants will gain essential workplace skills and industry-relevant knowledge through accredited training and hands-on learning, helping local residents build the confidence, skills and qualifications needed to progress into a career in warehousing and logistics, with the opportunity to undertake forklift licence training on completion of the programme.

Training includes manual handling, customer service skills, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), Health & Safety in the workplace, first aid at work and employability support, including CV development and interview preparation.

Across the week, participants will take part in structured daily sessions covering workplace safety, manual handling, hazardous substances, first aid response, and employability skills to support progression into work. The academy concludes with a dedicated employability session focused on CV preparation and interview techniques, including the opportunity to interview with local employers in the warehousing and logistics industry.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick said: “This Academy is a fantastic opportunity for residents to gain practical skills, industry-recognised training and real support into employment. Through our Labour Market Partnership approach, we are working with local partners to remove barriers to work and create clear pathways into sustainable careers in growing sectors like warehousing and logistics.”