Career Newsletter – Forklift Truck Operator

Career as a Forklift Operator

A career as a Forklift Truck Operator is a good option, especially if you’re looking for stable work in industries like warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, or construction.

Here are some common questions and answers that you may find useful if you have ever considered a role as a Forklift Truck Operator.

What does a Forklift Operator Do?

• Operates forklift trucks to move, stack, load, or unload materials (pallets, crates, stock).
• Works in warehouses, factories, ports, or construction sites.
• May be responsible for equipment checks, stock records, and following safety procedures.

What are the Pros?

• High demand across multiple industries.
• Entry-level friendly with opportunities to upskill.
• Work is usually shift-based, offering flexibility.
• Potential to advance into Supervisory roles or become a Forklift Instructor.

What can be the Cons?

• Repetitive work and long hours (common in logistics).
• Safety risks if procedures aren’t followed.

What are the Key Skills required to be a Forklift operator?

• Good spatial awareness and coordination.
• Basic maths and reading (for following instructions, stock numbers, etc.).
• Attention to health and safety.
• Ability to stay focused and work under pressure.

What qualification do you need to be a Forklift Counterbalance Operator in the UK?

• No formal education required, but you must have successfully completed a forklift operator course, which can be accredited from a recognised body, or a certificate of competence which complies with legislation.
• It is however, recommended to attend an accredited course as this provides greater employment opportunities.

How long is a Forklift Truck course?

• A basic novice course usually takes 3–5 days, covering both theory and practical assessment.  This will be based on one truck type such as a counterbalance.  If you need other truck types then additional training is required.
• Attending a basic Forklift Truck course is carried out off the job and is considered the first stage of training.  Once this has been successfully completed then the other 2 stages of training should take place on the job to include truck familiarisation and the working environment plus job specific to focus on the actual tasks that are required.

Can you operate all different types of Forklift Trucks, once qualified on the Forklift Truck Counterbalance?

• No, a different training course is required for each truck type, however the duration is reduced to a 2-day conversion course.  The different types of trucks are Counterbalance, Reach, Pivot steer (Bendi or Flexi), Pedestrian Pallet, Order Picker, VNA. 

Do you need to do a refresher course?

• Yes, refresher training is required to make sure you are still competent.  It is recommended for refresher training to take place, between 3 – 5 years, involved in a near miss or have been unwell and been off work for some time.

How long is a refresher course?

• A refresher course usually takes place in 1 day and off the job.

Does Specialist Training offer accredited training?

• Yes, Specialist Training have been offering RTITB accredited Forklift Truck Operator training for over 25 years.  This can be delivered at our purpose- built centre in Accrington or onsite at customer premises.

What Career Progression is available?

• Senior Forklift Operator
• Warehouse Supervisor or Team Leader
• Health & Safety Officer
• Forklift Instructor
• Logistics or Operations Manager (with further training)

If this is something you are interested call 01282 687090 to find out how we can help you.