Forklift drivers work in many different shipping and receiving environments—from warehouses to dockyards to storage facilities. Any business that stores their products and/or equipment on pallets or housing racks likely requires a number of skilled forklift drivers to safely transport their items. Which makes forklift drivers an integral part of any shipping and receiving team.

But how do you become a forklift driver? And what’s it like once you’re on the job? Here is some introductory information to help you learn more about the profession.

Educational requirements

Most employers prefer candidates with a high school diploma in hand. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t apply for a job if you don’t have your diploma. But it will certainly make job searching easier if your high school education is already out of the way. Forklift drivers should also take a workplace safety training course and obtain their Forklift Operation Certificate prior to applying for a forklift driver position.

Professional requirements

Generally speaking, employers look for forklift drivers with at least 1-3 years of professional experience. Since the job requires an individual to operate heavy machinery for extended periods of time, most employers prefer an employee who has performed a similar job before. Any previous experience in a shipping and receiving environment will also make you an attractive candidate.

What to expect on the job

Forklift drivers should expect to work full-time shifts in fast-paced industrial environments. Some employers hire drivers to work overnight or early morning shifts, though this will vary from business to business. A typical day for a forklift driver includes operating a forklift to move, relocate, stack, and count merchandise and/or equipment. As a forklift driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is operated safely and that all orders are prepared properly. You will also be responsible for performing daily spot checks on your equipment to determine if any maintenance is required.

Typical starting salary

A starting salary for a forklift driver can vary (depending on the company that you work for) but will likely fall within the $20K-$30K range. If you learn quickly and are open to taking further certification courses down the road, however, this number can certainly climb.

Find out more about becoming a forklift driver by reaching out to HCR today. We are a leading GTA and Southwestern Ontario employment agency specializing in light industrial work with offices in Toronto, Newmarket, Milton, and St. Thomas.



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