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Forklift driver

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

Annual Salary

£17,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

44 to 46 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

0.2%
Future employment

There will be 0.2% more Forklift driver jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could:

  • check equipment daily and use it safely
  • load and unload goods from lorries, ships or aircraft
  • use radio frequency equipment to keep in touch with other staff
  • manually handle goods when necessary
  • stack goods and move them around in storage bays
  • pick and pack orders
  • complete paperwork for delivery notes and stock control

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

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 can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
College

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.

Entry requirements

You may need:

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

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
For more information
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 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.

More information

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.

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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).

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • concentration skills
  • observation and recording skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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