Is Forklift Operator A Good Job?

Operating a forklift is a very important task especially in the case of businesses focused on transportation and storage. This can be a great career option, it’s open to many newcomers, and it doesn’t require a whole lot of experience. That alone makes it accessible and it does bring in front unique results every time. That being said, the great thing is that you can obtain a pretty good Forklift Driver Salary too. So it can be a viable option if you’re looking for a job at this time.

How do you get trained to drive a forklift?

Becoming a Forklift Driver is not that challenging, and there are multiple entry avenues in this particular field, especially if you want to get forklift driver training in the UK. A good one is to do a college course, and it will help you a lot since you can show you have some knowledge in this field. An apprenticeship, however, is better, since it can show the employer that you actually have experience in the field. Most of the time, experience trumps everything, and that’s why it can be a great starting point.

Then there’s also the option to apply to an employer directly. Since it’s not a very difficult job and you can learn on the fly, a lot of employers are willing to give even newcomers a shot. Combined with the Forklift Driver Salary that can be very appealing, it’s easy to see why a lot of people want to become a Forklift Driver nowadays. One thing to consider is that if you want to work on a construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme. It’s not hard to get, but it’s a mandatory requirement for the job itself.

How much does forklift training cost in the UK?

The forklift training cost can depend on many factors, such as the level of the course you want to take, your location and the type of forklift you want to drive. For example, let’s say you need a novice forklift course because you have no forklift driving experience yet, then you should expect a cost of roughly £600-£750 for your typical counterbalance course.

On the other hand, if you already have experience and all you need is a forklift refresher course or a forklift conversion training, then it should only cost you around £100 and £200. There is also a semi-experienced or untested forklift training course, which is usually the best fit for people who already have experience driving forklifts but never had formal training. For this type of classes, you are looking into paying between £200-£300 for the completion of your course.

What are the duties of a forklift driver?

The duties involved in a forklift driver job description will vary mostly on the workplace. A Forklift Driver in Manchester can expect to unload inbound shipments, stack and store the merchandise, ensure that the shipments are free of any damage, report quality issues, perform picking duties, pull products for shipment, stack materials and products, move them, unload or load them depending on the task at hand.

A Forklift Driver will also need to assist with the physical inventories, ensure that he offers proper stock rotation, he will also have to rely on radio to load, put away, receive or pick products. He will also have to perform some maintenance on the Forklift as well. So yes, a bit of mechanical knowledge doesn’t hurt if you are a Forklift Operator, which is something you need to take into consideration as much as possible.

What skills do you need to be a forklift driver?

Before we share the Forklift Driver Salary, it’s a good idea to know what skills will help you acquire this job and fit perfectly into the forklift operator job description. More often than not, good spatial awareness will help, since you need to manoeuvre a lot of merchandise. Then there’s also other stuff like attention to detail, the ability to work with other people as a team and also the ability to control and operate your equipment properly. A Forklift Driver also needs to have a good understanding of health and safety protocols. He is, after all, handling a lot of items every day, and that can be incredibly important to take into account.

What is the average forklift driver salary in Manchester?

The average Forklift Driver Salary in Manchester is £21,155 per year, with a senior forklift driver getting upwards of £30,000. If you are wondering about pay per hour, the average in Manchester is anywhere from £8 to £10, depending on the workplace and the amount of work that the Forklift Driver needs to do. The salary is quite good, although it will vary a lot from one workplace to the other. It’s possible to earn more or less based on how many work hours you need to do per week. On average, the Forklift Driver is expected to work anywhere from 44 to 46 hours per week.

Conclusion

As you can see from the average forklift driver salary and other benefits mentioned above, this can be a fruitful career, and it will bring in front many rewarding moments. At the same time, you can acquire a lot of new skills, and it’s also a workplace where you get to interact with others and socialize. Besides, being a Forklift Driver is very fulfilling for a lot of people because you get to work with a variety of businesses. It’s also a great way to establish a new career in the supply chain or transportation industry too. That alone makes it well worth it to look out for such a job in Manchester!