Forklift Truck Operator
What is the work like?
Your job as a forklift truck operator would be to load and unload goods deliveries, and move them to and from storage areas in a warehouse or depot.
Your main duties would include:
- loading and unloading goods from vehicles such as lorries or aircraft
- moving goods packed on pallets or in crates around the storage facility
- stacking goods in the correct storage bays, following stock control instructions
- checking loads are secure
- stacking empty pallets
- performing daily equipment checks, for example recharging the truck's battery
- helping to load and unload trucks by hand where necessary
- performing other warehouse tasks like packing.
You could work with various machines, including counter-balance trucks, telescopic handlers, side-loading trucks and pedestrian-controlled pallet lifting equipment.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any academic qualifications to become a forklift truck operator, but you must complete an approved forklift training course before you can use a truck. See the Training section below for more details about the course.
Basic maths skills will also be useful for working out weights and distances, and warehouse or depot experience will give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
The minimum age to start training is 16, although many employers prefer applicants to be over 18, for insurance reasons. If you are going to operate a forklift truck on a public road, traffic legislation applies and you must hold a valid driving licence. You may also need a driving licence and your own vehicle to get to work, as warehouses and depots are often based in areas or run shift systems not catered for by public transport.
You may be able to start on an Apprenticeship scheme in distribution, warehousing and storage. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
If you are out of work, you may find specific back-to-work training schemes in some areas, which can include forklift training. You may have to satisfy certain eligibility conditions. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or careers office for more details.
See Skills for Logistics for more details about working in the storage and distribution industries.
Forklift Maintenance Engineer
If you want to train to service and repair forklift trucks, you can either take a college course in heavy vehicle mechanics or, if eligible, you could apply for a forklift engineering Apprenticeship. For more details about this option, see www.forktruckapprentice.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
It is a legal requirement that your employer provides you with proper training so that you can use forklift truck equipment safely.
Your training would last three to five days and would take place in a training centre or on your employer’s premises. It would combine theory with practical exercises, leading to a test which covers:
- equipment checks
- manoeuvring in confined spaces with and without a load
- stacking and unloading items at different heights.
The Health and Safety Commission approves six organisations to monitor and accredit forklift training providers:
- the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT)
- ConstructionSkills
- Lantra Awards
- National Plant Operators Registration Scheme Ltd
- the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) Ltd
- the Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR).
You can find the training providers on the approved organisations' websites.
Some of the training providers also offer forklift instructor training courses for more experienced staff. These courses cover health and safety legislation, training and assessment methods, and report writing.
You may need to take refresher training and be re-assessed from time to time to keep your skills up to date. You would also take further training if you were going to work on different kinds of forklift truck.
You could study for an NVQ in Specialised Plant and Machinery Operations levels 1 and 2, and Distribution, Warehousing and Storage Operations Level 2, which include forklift training options.
Thorough Examination
Forklift trucks must have a 'Thorough Examination' carried out by by a qualified engineer every four to 12 months, depending on what it is used for. It is similar to a vehicle MOT and is a legal requirement. You can qualify to carry out Thorough Examinations by taking a training course. See the Forklift Truck Association for more details and training providers.
Where can I go for more information?
PO Box 204Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 7FY
Tel: 01606 49909
28 Broad Street
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1AB
Tel: 0118 989 3229
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577
The Springboard Centre
Mantle Lane
Coalville
LE67 3DW
Tel: 01530 277857
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314
Halesfield 17
Telford
TF7 4PW
Tel: 01952 520200
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New forklift truck operators start between £11,000 and £13,500 a year.
- Experienced operators may earn from £14,000 to £21,000 a year.
Forklift truck operators may receive shift or night work allowances, and bonus schemes may apply.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work between 37 and 45 hours a week. Shiftwork, including nights, is common and overtime is often available.
As a forklift truck operator, you would work indoors if you are in a warehouse or factory, and outdoors in all weathers in a yard, port or airport.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a responsible and mature attitude to work
- the ability to work quickly, especially during busy periods
- good physical coordination to operate a truck
- the ability to assess weights and judge distances and heights
- the ability to follow written instructions and keep records
- an awareness of health and safety.
What opportunities are there?
You can find work as a forklift truck operator in a number of places, including factories, retail warehouses and stores, goods yards, ports and airports, and haulage depots.
Your promotion options include becoming a shift supervisor or team leader. With experience and training, you could work as a forklift instructor or maintenance engineer. You may be able to transfer to related industries like construction or logistics, to become a construction plan operator or LGV driver.
You will find vacancies advertised with Jobcentre Plus, recruitment agencies, the local press and companies themselves.
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