Annual Salary
£17,000 to £30,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Logistics or Transport or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Logistics or Transport or go back to all job sectors
Forklift drivers load and unload goods in warehouses, ports and airports.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts
There will be
0.2% more Forklift driver jobs in 2027.
In this role you could:
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:
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.
You may need:
You can get into this role through a supply chain warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
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.
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.
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.
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).
You'll need: