Forklift driver

Forklift drivers move, load and unload goods in warehouses, depots, ports and airports.

Also known as: Forklift operator, forklift truck driver

• Starter salary£23,000 a year
• Experienced£32,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 48 a week

What you'll do

As a forklift driver, you would:

• carry out safety checks on equipment at the start of a shift
• load and unload goods from lorries, ships or aircraft
• use radio equipment to keep in touch with other staff on site
• move and stack goods in storage bays
• pick and pack orders
• complete paperwork for delivery notes and stock control

Working environment

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

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• the ability to operate and control equipment
• concentration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• knowledge of public safety and security
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a forklift driver

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a forklift truck operations training course at a college, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You should check with the company you apply to whether their apprenticeship includes forklift training.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Direct application

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

You'll have an advantage if you've completed forklift training, though your employer may put you through training 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.

Career path and progression

Your employer may put you through training to operate other types of lifting equipment like telescopic handlers.

With experience and further training, you could become a:

• shift supervisor, team leader or warehouse manager
• forklift driver instructor
• maintenance engineer

You could also move into other industries, like construction, and train to be a plant operator, or logistics, to work as an HGV driver.

Career tips

Make sure you get a copy of your forklift training completion certificate so you can use it for job applications. Unlike a driving licence, there is no forklift licence as such, though some job adverts may refer to the completion certificate as a 'licence'.

Registration

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

Guides for this industry

• Transport & Logistics: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job roleWarehouse worker
• Job rolePacker
• Job rolePort operative
• Job roleProduction worker (manufacturing)

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