Are Forklift Operators in Demand?

2020 was a rough year, and many businesses suffered. Guess what actually boomed? Ecommerce! Because of that fact, warehouse workers are in high demand this year. By extension, this means we’re going to need more forklift operators. The need for forklift operators has been steadily rising for about a decade, but the recent growth in warehouse jobs may mean an even brighter future ahead.

2020 was a rough year, and many businesses suffered. Guess what actually boomed? Ecommerce! Because of that fact, warehouse workers are in high demand this year. By extension, this means we’re going to need more forklift operators. The need for forklift operators has been steadily rising for about a decade, but the recent growth in warehouse jobs may mean an even brighter future ahead.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a forklift operator can earn, on average, nearly $38,000 annually. The hours for a forklift operating job tend to be flexible, as many warehouses are operational 24 hours a day. What’s more, becoming a forklift operator helps a person build solid and useful skills that can easily translate into other jobs down the road.

• Spatial Awareness: When you operate a forklift, you must be aware of your surroundings and navigate tight corners.
• Mechanical Understanding: Becoming comfortable with the controls of a forklift is a skill that will transfer to the operation of other machinery.
• Accuracy: There’s skill and memory work involved in operating a forklift and pulling the right products from storage, with accuracy, every time.
• Teamwork: A forklift operator is part of a team. Learning to be a team player and getting along with your co-workers as you work towards the same goals provides you with skills useful in any job.

Forklift jobs aren’t just domestic, either. There’s a strong demand for forklift operators around the world, so you, if you’re interested in relocating overseas, becoming a skilled forklift operator, may be the way to do it. In some countries, like Malaysia, the demand for forklift operators is much higher than the number of people licensed for the job. Other countries in need of forklift operators include Russia, China, India, Brazil, and Canada.

Interestingly, a trend that’s taking off for forklift training is virtual reality (VR). In a virtual training class, students use VR to operate different types of forklifts, navigating through a warehouse environment. It’s very similar to the flight simulation programs used for training in the military and the airline industry. Of course, all training for a forklift operator must comply with OSHA guidelines.  

Whether you need a forklift, forklift maintenance, or forklift operator training, come and talk to us at Ring Power Lift Trucks. For 60 years, our locally-owned and operated business has provided superior products and the newest technology in forklift vehicles, meeting or exceeding our customers’ expectations. With 14 convenient locations throughout Florida, Ring Power Corporation has become one of the largest Caterpillar® dealers in the Southeastern United States because of our dedication to customer service. If you’re looking for training, our trainers are certified by the state and Caterpillar/Mitsubishi, and they’ll come to your operation to train your employees in familiar territory. We also supply forklift parts and service in north and central Florida for every make and model of forklift.  Call 877.544.5438 or visit our website for more information.