Forklift truck operators move and stack heavy loads, and load and unload goods. Deliveries normally arrive on wooden pallets or in crates. Truck operators' main duties include:

• loading and unloading goods from vehicles like lorries or aircraft
• moving goods around a 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.

Forklift operators can work with counter-balance trucks, telescopic handlers, side-loading trucks and pedestrian-controlled pallet lifting equipment.

Hours and Environment

Forklift truck operators 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 work indoors if you are in a warehouse or factory, and outdoors if working in a yard, port or airport.

Skills and Interests

To work as a forklift truck operator you need:

• a responsible and mature attitude
• 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. 

Entry

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 driving licence.

You may be able to start on an apprenticeship scheme in distribution, warehousing and storage. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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 need to satisfy certain eligibility conditions. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or careers office for more details.

See Careers in Logistics and Skills for Logistics for more details about working in the storage and distribution industries.

Training

It is a legal requirement that your employer provides you with adequate training so that you can use forklift truck equipment safely once you start work as a forklift operator.

Your training lasts three to five days and takes place in a training centre or on your employer’s premises. It combines theory with practical exercises, leading to a test which includes:

• 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. You can find the training providers' details on the approved organisations' websites in the Further Information section. The six are:

• 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).

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 will also take further training if you are going to work on different kinds of forklift truck.

There are NVQs/SVQs available, which include forklift training options. These are Specialised Plant and Machinery Operations levels 1 and 2, and Distribution, Warehousing and Storage Operations Level 2.

Opportunities

You can find work as a forklift truck operator in a number of workplaces, including:

• factories
• warehouses and stores
• goods yards
• ports and airports
• haulage depots.

Your promotion options include becoming a shift supervisor or team leader. With experience, you can move into forklift training as an instructor. You may able to transfer to related industries, like construction or logistics to become a plant construction operator or LGV driver.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

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.

Further information

Access House
Halesfield 17
Telford
TF7 4PW
Tel: 01952 520200 Unit 20
The Springboard Centre
Mantle Lane
Coalville
LE67 3DW
Tel: 01530 277857 PO Box 204
Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 7FY
Tel: 01606 49909 Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577 Armstrong House
28 Broad Street
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1AB
Tel: 0118 989 3229 14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314