Fork Lift Driving

Phil W

Phil W

Phil W

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Joined
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Is it difficult?

Currently unemployed at the moment, and have the opportunity to get into Fork Lift Driving, pays ok-ish (£18k a year) and would get sent on a course etc...

Not sure whether to go for it or not :confused:

I know its not a glamourous job, but im thinking it could be a good in-between job, as well as paying well i'd get a Fork Lift Truck License (put you on a course)

Phil
 
go for it mate, always handy to have more qualifications/courses behind you - means you can fall back on something :)
 
i drive a reach truck
i got my licence from where i work and as i was trained by an house company trainer i cant take my licence elsewhere witch sucks as my wages are poor

to take a retest on a reach truck by a national trainer would be £100 ish and could earn £6 to £10 an hour which isn't bad for unskilled ie: no uni or collage qualification

ideally i would like to have a counterbalance licence which would open up more work in this field

if you have got an opportunity for a free anything take it there is nothing to loose

edit: the course is only 3 days (wel it was when i took it)
 
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The money's even better if you're interested in working nights according to the lads at work, go for it:)
 
I have a counter balance license (coming up 4 years now) and it's really easy, it just takes practise to become quick at operating it.

If you do go for it don't work in a supermarket! I used to and it was a nightmare, the aisles with the racking in had roll cages on both sides with about 3 inches clearance and you had to have the pallet in the air as you were going in/out of the aisle.

i got my licence from where i work and as i was trained by an house company trainer i cant take my licence elsewhere witch sucks as my wages are poor
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I was in the same position but I was told by the instructor that you can order a photo ID and certificate from ITSAAR for £20 then you can use it anywhere.
 
Wouldnt go near it, up here north most places do in house licenses so you got no chance after your job.

Too much looking up and down and too much pressure when it comes to a job.
 
Can't be that hard I'd have thought, trouble is, most FLT drivers who unload my HGV hav'nt the first clue about the correct use of the things! :mad:
 
One of the primary reasons I'm stiil employed at Woodmaster is due to me being the only person on 2nd shift able to accurately and confidently move the 5500 and 6500 size stoves around on the fork lift.

The more notches you can put in your belt saying, "Yeah, I can do that" the better. It makes you more valuable to employers.

Two things to always remember about driving a forklift :

1. You have no suspension. If you hit a bump, you and whatever you're carrying are going to be bumped up the exact height and distance of whatever you're driving over.

2. When turning, your arse end swings out. Always leave clearance for turning.
 
^^
Mickey D's got a good point, H&S say we can't do anything without the forklift guy being in.
I reckon employeers would prefer having more than one qualified bloke on site even if he's not primarily doing that job.

.
 
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Phil W said:
Is it difficult?

Currently unemployed at the moment, and have the opportunity to get into Fork Lift Driving, pays ok-ish (£18k a year) and would get sent on a course etc...

Not sure whether to go for it or not :confused:

I know its not a glamourous job, but im thinking it could be a good in-between job, as well as paying well i'd get a Fork Lift Truck License (put you on a course)

Phil
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if you can, do the tele handler and/or rough terrain courses.
you'll be able to get into construction work that way and the money is a lot better.
 
You won't ever be out of work if you hold a fork lift license that's for sure. All agencys have work for Fork lift drivers.
Think of it this way if you have to take a crap job then it is far better to be riding around all day on a Forklift than it is walking around on the warehouse floor picking.
Go for it i say. Bare in mind that the license has to be renewed every three years. ( I think )
 
malc30 said:
You won't ever be out of work if you hold a fork lift license that's for sure. All agencys have work for Fork lift drivers.
Think of it this way if you have to take a crap job then it is far better to be riding around all day on a Forklift than it is walking around on the warehouse floor picking.
Go for it i say. Bare in mind that the license has to be renewed every three years. ( I think )
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as far as i'm aware it's not a license as such, it's a certificate of competance.
i believe it doesn't expire but the safety certificate that goes with it does, although many companies run refresher courses purely for the benefit of their insurers.
 
I got my 'license' about 2 weeks ago, paid for by the company I work for. It is a 2 day course ( well it was for me )and pretty simple once you get comfortable with all the controls.

You are not required to take a re-test by law but they do advise you to do a refresher day every 3 yrs.
 
So the certificate (cheers for correction) never actually runs out then ?
 
malc30 said:
So the certificate (cheers for correction) never actually runs out then ?
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no
it has no expiry date.
although your safety certificate needs renewing but as almost all companies will put you on a refresher course from time to time this is largely irrelevant as the safety certificate will be renewed at that time as well.
 
I did a 2 day course when i was 18 so im qualified , the test is easy and its a good thing to have under your belt :)

Go for it phil
 
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