Forklift Driver

Typical Salary

£17,000 To £28,000

Typical Hours

44 to 46 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Forklift Driver

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 2 Award or Certificate in Forklift Truck Operations.

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a supply chain warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly for jobs. Some employers may ask for GCSEs, including English and maths.

You'll have an advantage if you've got a forklift training certificate, though your employer may put you through training to get one when you start work.

Experience of loading and unloading goods and materials in a warehouse, in freight transport or on a building site would be useful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding
ambition and a desire to succeed
the ability to work well with others
the ability to operate and control equipment
knowledge of public safety and security
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

checking equipment daily and using it safely
loading and unloading goods from lorries, ships or aircraft
using radio frequency equipment to keep in touch with other staff
manually handling goods when necessary
stacking goods and moving them around in storage bays
picking and packing orders
completing paperwork for delivery notes and stock control

Working Environment

You could work at a port, on a construction site, at an airport, in a warehouse or in a factory.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could become a shift supervisor or team leader. With further training, you could work as a forklift instructor or maintenance engineer.

You could also become a warehouse manager.

You could move into industries like construction (construction plant operator) or logistics (lorry driver).

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Career tips

Make sure you get a copy of your forklift training certificate so you can use it for job applications. Unlike a driving licence, no forklift licence is issued.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a forklift driver in construction from Go Construct.

You can find details of approved forklift training providers through the Accrediting Bodies Association - Workplace Transport.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.