Operate A Telehandler
Learn safe telescopic boom control, attachment operation, and load handling on a telehandler.
Our Telehandler Operator Training course gives you the practical skills to operate a telescopic handler safely and efficiently on a construction site, farm, or plant hire yard. Whether you're lifting building materials to height, moving bales on a farm, or supporting a general construction crew, this 5-day intensive course prepares you for real-world demands.
The course is split into two days of classroom theory — covering telescopic boom systems, load charts, stability principles and attachment safety — followed by three full days of hands-on practical training, operating a real telehandler on-site under close instructor supervision. This structure gives you enough repetition on the controls to build genuine confidence before your final assessment.
Telehandler training is one of our Lifting Machinery courses, alongside Mobile Crane, Forklift, Reach Truck, and Reach Stacker operator training. Many students combine Telehandler with Forklift or Mobile Crane training to broaden their employability. If a machine operator career on a mine or construction site interests you instead, DT Academy also offers Mining & Machinery, Security Training, and Health & Safety courses from the same Pretoria Central campus.
The course also covers safe attachment changeovers between forks, buckets and work platforms, working on uneven or sloped ground, and daily maintenance routines — giving you the complete skill set employers expect from a certified telehandler operator.
- Telescopic boom control & extension/retraction technique
- Attachment operation (forks, buckets, work platforms)
- Load charts & stability awareness at extended reach
- Outrigger & stabiliser use where fitted
- Working safely on uneven or sloped ground
- Safe attachment changeover procedures
- Pre-operational checks & site safety protocols
Course Information
Machine Introduction & Safety
Telehandler components and telescopic boom hydraulic systems. Site safety regulations and PPE requirements. Pre-operation inspection checklist. Hazard identification on construction sites and farms.
Load Charts & Attachment Safety
Reading load charts and understanding stability at extended reach. Attachment types (forks, buckets, work platforms) and safe changeover procedures. Outrigger and stabiliser use where fitted. Working on uneven or sloped ground.
On-Site Practical — Basic Controls & Manoeuvring
Hands-on cab familiarisation on-site. Basic boom extension, retraction and steering movements. Simple material collection and placement at low height. Spatial awareness and pedestrian safety.
On-Site Practical — Advanced Lifting & Attachment Work
Lifting and placing materials at height within load chart limits. Attachment changeovers under supervision. Working on uneven ground and near existing structures. Emergency procedures and incident response.
Practical Assessment & Certification
Independent, on-site practical competency evaluation covering all learned skills. Oral assessment on safety and maintenance knowledge. Certificate and operator licence card briefing, plus job application guidance and job assistance programme enrolment.
On-Site Training for Companies
Need to certify several employees at once? On-site telehandler training is available on request — our instructors come to your construction site, farm, or premises to train your team, reducing downtime and travel. This option suits construction firms, plant hire companies, and agricultural operations with an existing fleet.
Request On-Site Training
Certificate & Operator Card Renewal
Certificates and operator licence cards issued by DT Academy are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Once your certificate expires, it can be renewed at a cost — and because renewal doesn't require repeating the full course, our team can usually process it in the same visit.
Ask About RenewalWho Should Attend
- Job seekers wanting an entry point into construction or agriculture
- Existing general workers or labourers looking to move into a machine operator role
- Company employees who need to be certified on a telehandler they'll use at work
- Forklift or crane operators looking to add telescopic lifting skills
- Anyone whose telehandler certificate or operator card has expired and needs renewal
Career Opportunities After Certification
- Telehandler Operator on a construction site
- Plant Hire Equipment Operator
- Agricultural Equipment Operator on a farm or co-op
- General Materials Handling Operator
- Progression toward Mobile Crane or Forklift operation
Enrol Now
Fill in the form below and one of our consultants will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your course and start date.
Do I need a driver's licence to enrol?
How is the 5-day course structured?
What attachments does the course cover?
Can I operate a mobile crane or forklift after this course?
Is the certificate recognised by construction and agricultural employers?
How long is my certificate valid, and can I renew it?
Do you offer on-site training for companies?
Is accommodation really free?
What happens if I don't pass the practical assessment?
How soon can I start working after certification?
Ready to Operate a Telehandler?
Start This Week.
Join graduates who have launched careers in construction, plant hire and agriculture with DT Academy. On-site company training and certificate renewal are also available — visit us at 0107 Rentbel Towers, 14 Bureau Lane, Pretoria Central 0002.
Or call 082 264 9605 / WhatsApp 071 524 4658