How to become a Forklift Driver

551

£24,000/y

avg. starting salary

Driving for a career that keeps you moving? You should become a Forklift Driver… Forklift Drivers use forklift trucks, clamp trucks, and other equipment to transport, stack, and count heavy goods. They’re responsible for loading, unloading, and storing deliveries safely and securely, as well as moving products around a warehouse, depot, yard, or airport. They also prepare deliveries to confirm they’re ready for the next stage of production – whether it’s through passing them onto a packing department, or transporting them to another vehicle. Other duties for a Forklift Driver generally include:

Loading goods onto pallets safely and securely
Lifting and moving pallets, using the forklift
Storing merchandise in the correct bays
Carrying out safety checks and performing minor maintenance on trucks
Maintaining a clean and tidy work environment
Checking merchandise to ensure it adheres to quality control standards

Excellent coordination and estimation skills, especially when dealing with aspects such as distances, weights, and heights, is essential for anyone looking to become a Forklift Driver. If you’re nervous behind a wheel (and/or a forklift), this job probably isn’t for you. Because of the potentially dangerous nature of the job, you’ll also need to be able to adhere to health and safety regulations, and maintain a high level of concentration at all times. Speed, efficiency, and an ability to work well under pressure, is equally vital. Key skills for a Forklift Driver will also generally include:

Good at working in a team
A fast learner
Responsible
Adaptable
An excellent organiser
Aware of production standards
Able to keep records and report problems

Forklift Driver

Up to £24,000

Construction Plant Operator

Up to £28,000

LGV Driver

Up to £35,000

"I work as a Forklift Driver for a food manufacturing company, and I really enjoy it. I’ve always been interested in doing something practical, where I can utilise my physical ability and keep busy – and this role definitely allows me to do this. It can be stressful when we have a lot of deliveries coming in and deadlines to meet, but this is where having a close-knit team really pays off. I find that even in these situations, we’ll group together to get things done. It’s also possible that my obsession with collecting toy trucks as a kid may have also had a slight influence on my career choice…"

Get qualified

There aren’t any set prerequisites to become a Forklift Driver, but a basic level of English and Maths and/or previous experience in a similar role may be beneficial. Although a valid driving license might be required for some roles, specialist forklift training courses are available and are usually provided by the employer.

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