Forklift truck operator
Carry out practical tasks in forests and woodlands to help care for and protect the environment.
About the job
What it's like
You would load and unload goods and deliveries. You’d move them to and from storage areas in a warehouse or depot.
You’d need to be safety-conscious and responsible when using the forklifts and other trucks.
It would be important to be able to judge weights, distances and heights and have the physical co-ordination to operate the truck. There may be busy times when you have to work quickly.
You would:
Load and unload goods from vehicles such as lorries or aircraft
Move goods packed on pallets or in crates around the storage facility
Stack goods in the correct storage bays, following stock control instructions
Check loads are secure
Stack empty pallets
Do daily equipment checks, for example recharging the truck's battery
Help to load and unload trucks by hand where necessary
Perform other warehouse tasks like packing
You'd need to be able to follow written instructions and keep records.
You could work with various machines including counter-balance trucks, telescopic handlers, side-loading trucks and pedestrian-controlled pallet lifting equipment.
Hours
You would normally work between 37 and 42 hours a week. Shiftwork, including nights, is common and overtime is often available.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- forklift truck
- warehousing
- palletizing
- shipping and receiving
- order picking
- warehouse management systems
- material handling
- materials transport
- security awareness
- iosh working safely
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- time management
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- observation
- verbal communication
- listening
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Skills for Work: Automotive Skills
There are no formal qualifications to get into this job but most employers value a good general education.
To become a forklift truck operator most employers will ask that you complete a training course, usually on the job, to show that you can operate the forklift safely.
Many of these courses will require good maths skills to help you work out weights and distances.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Warehousing and Storage (SVQ level 2/3) or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.
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