Telford based CRT Training – a division of Polymer Training Limited - has awarded a disabled man from Wolverhampton a forklift truck training licence after he passed the industry requirement with “flying colours”.

Daniel Mitchell, 28, from Oaken, Wolverhampton, was seriously injured in a motorcycling accident seven years ago when he lost his entire right arm. Despite this, Daniel was determined he was not going to be a “victim” of disability and set about finding work.

Before the accident, Daniel was a bathroom fitter and tiler but was unable to carry on doing this once he had recovered from his injuries. He has worked selling gas & electricity and mobile phones since 2001 but was recently given the idea of forklift truck driving by a friend.

Daniel explains:
“Since my accident I have been determined to get back to work and I am really grateful to Bill Parkhill at CRT Training and PTL for giving me the chance to do that. I don’t believe in being a victim of disability and sitting back living on benefits and this qualification will hopefully enable me to get to work as a forklift truck operator.

“It’s great that Bill saw past my disability and I am hopeful that I will be able to prove I can make an effective contribution to the workplace. Despite serious injury, I don’t want hand outs, I just wants the chance to work.”

The qualification Daniel achieved is the Reach Training Conversion Course and the Counterbalance Novice Training course accredited by the Road Transport Industrial Training Board and run at the premises of PTL.

Bill Parkhill of CRT Training said:
“Daniel is a really motivated young man and he passed the test with flying colours. He has shown his desire to achieve this qualification and has overcome serious injury to do so – something which would have left many people sitting back feeling sorry for themselves. I’m really proud to have worked with Daniel and I wish him every success - I would certainly recommend him to any prospective employer.”

Charmaine Bowers, General Manager of PTL, said:
“When Bill Parkhill first told me about Daniel’s disability I was a little sceptical, but Bill had told me about his determination and enthusiasm I offered PTL’s full backing. I have to say that once I met Daniel, I could see why Bill had been so keen to take him on because he is a bright, positive young man with a willingness to learn and to earn.

“He is a role model for other disabled people and everyone here at PTL is delighted for him. We wish him every success.”

Daniel is now looking for a job to use his skills and get back to work.

Anyone wishing to contact Daniel can do so via CRT Training on 0845 602 6188 or via email on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .