Forklift Operator Jobs Can Provide Opportunities for Career Advancement
When the uninitiated offer their opinions about the responsibilities associated with forklift operator jobs, they are often swayed by preconceived notions and/or biases that these roles are examples of mundane and dead-end employment. Their unfamiliarity with the job may restrict their impressions to one of driving a motorized cart all day, moving flats of products around a warehouse.
Of course, this view is significantly different than reality. Forklift operator jobs are vitally important within the realm of commerce, responsible for the safe and secure transfer of a remarkable amount of inventory on a daily basis. Without the knowledge and skills of their forklift operators, many retailers, distribution centres, and manufacturing facilities would be hard-pressed to remain competitive within their respective markets.
So, working as a forklift operator can be far from mundane and, in fact, may be a rather fulfilling and rewarding career. Annual compensation for entry level positions in this field can exceed $30K while those with 10+ years of forklift experience can earn up to $40K per year – and these averages are exclusive of any potential overtime pay.
Furthermore, to dispel the notion that forklift driving is a dead-end type of employment, garnering experience in this particular job or function can lead to career advancement opportunities as well. Working as a forklift operator will expose that individual to many different aspects of the business, essentially providing some informal training and insight on one or more other positions while currently performing in the forklift role.
In turn, some of these other jobs might be of interest to those looking to advance within their careers and, as a result, could provide a goal or goals for the future. Some of the positions to which forklift operators can aspire include:
- Shipping/Receiving Supervisor – directing all incoming and outgoing shipments
- Warehouse Supervisor – overseeing/coordinating all daily warehousing activities
- Warehouse Manager – overseeing the receipt, storage, and dispatching of goods
- Distribution Manager – organizing the storage and distribution of goods/materials
- Operations Manager – plan and direct operations; improve productivity/efficiency
It is important to note that consistent performance over time as a forklift operator will be a prime factor in setting the stage for advancement to supervisory or management level jobs such as those noted above. And the fundamental basis for high performance as an operator will be established through appropriate and ongoing certification and training.
Certification is mandatory for those interested in forklift operator jobs in the province of Ontario. The minimum age for forklift operation in the province is 18 years, and some of the essential elements relating to certification and training include:
- Certification levels include theory and practical training
- Re-certification is required based the following cycles:
- 18 months for practical and 36 months for theory
- Specialized training programs may be necessary for:
- Handling of hazardous materials, and
- Transportation of dangerous goods
Staffing Agencies Help Focus and Expedite the Search for Forklift Operator Jobs
Forklift operator jobs can indeed offer a viable long-term career, including opportunities for future advancement. However, those looking to pursue such a career path may not be aware of immediate opportunities for employment and cold-searching can prove to be frustrating and unsuccessful, and hence discouraging.
In such a scenario, individuals seeking forklift operator jobs may find it beneficial to use the services of professional staffing agencies that specialize in job placements for this career path. One of these staffing agencies is Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto, a leader in placing contract and permanent staff in the manufacturing and supply chain industries for more than 40 years.
The advantages of coordinating a forklift operator job search through the specialists from Winters Technical Staffing include direct or indirect access to:
- Employers and/or their hiring managers
- Non-advertised jobs for forklift operators
- Immediately available employment opportunities
- Experts in resume development/interview preparation
By capitalizing on the above-noted resources and more, job seekers will be implementing a focus and accelerated search with greater potential for a successful outcome.
Contact Winters Today
If you are looking to launch or further your career as a forklift operator, call the experts from Winters Technical Staffing today at 1-877-495-7422 to schedule a free consultation with one of our staffing professionals.
John
Thank you for sharing this. After receiving certification to operate a forklift, more opportunities are available for career advancement in the industry. After gaining more experience, it’s possible to advance in the ranks into management and supervisory positions. However, without the proper training and certification, these doors remain closed.