Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Working Life

Fork-lift trucks are vehicles designed to move heavy or bulky goods. They are mainly used in warehouses, stockyards and other storage areas. They are highly mobile with a very small turning circle. This allows them to move easily in confined spaces. They load and unload goods from vehicles such as lorries and aircraft. Fork Lifts also move materials and goods from one place to another.  
 
On the front of the truck are two forks that are operated by hydraulics.The driver must fit these forks into the pallets on which goods are stored. The operator then uses the hydraulic forks to lift the pallet, takes it to where it is needed and sets it down. Operators need to carry out maintenance checks.  
 
Some goods, such as bricks, can be moved by fork-lift trucks without the need for pallets. They are stacked in bales with spaces for the forks. The operator must work carefully as these goods are not protected by pallets.  
 
Some trucks are fitted with small computer display panels that direct the operator where to place goods in the warehouse.  
 
Operators may also have to keep records and follow instructions written on a worksheet. They are also responsible for the basic maintenance of the truck. This includes greasing or oiling parts and changing the battery.  
 
Fork-lift truck operators may have to work in a noisy and dusty environment. Working outdoors in all weather conditions may also be necessary.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
• Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
• Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
• Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
• Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
• Signal workers to discharge, dump, or level materials.
• Weigh materials or products and record weight or other production data on tags or labels.
• Perform routine maintenance on vehicles or auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling, or replacing liquefied-gas tank.
• Operate or tend automatic stacking, loading, packaging, or cutting machines.
• Hook tow trucks to trailer hitches and fasten attachments, such as graders, plows, rollers, or winch cables to tractors, using hitchpins.

Further Information

• Forklift Engineering Technician- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Forklift Truck Operator- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entry to this type of work is mostly through the distributive industry, such as retailing and warehousing.  
A number of private organisations also provide Forklift Truck Driving courses.

Key Skill Certs:

Manual Handling

SafePass 

Forklift Reach, Counterbalance, and Power Pallet

Health & Safety or First Aid training

Excel & EPOS if voice picking & packing.

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key Skills Certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: manufacturing supply chain, customer service logistics, HGV driving, supply chain logistics, logistics and distribution, van delivery driver, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: supply chain, logistics, warehousing.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Supply Chain and Logistics Associate Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €40k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Collins McNicolas

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Crane drivers; Forklift truck drivers; Agricultural machinery drivers; Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual employment growth was negative for this occupation, with employment levels remaining unchanged between 2021 and 2022. The CSO Census data shows that over half (56%) of the employment in 2022, and growth between 2016 and 2022, was for those classified as mobile machine drivers/operatives not elsewhere classified (e.g. diggers, excavator drivers); in 2022 fork-lift truck drivers accounted for 32%, crane drivers and agricultural machinery drivers each accounting for 6%.

Despite the decline in employment, there were mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey relating to drivers for the construction sector (e.g. forklift drivers. crane, site, and teleporter operators). Future demand for drivers/operatives will be dependent on the level of construction activity in the short to medium term.

• Road Safety Authority (RSA)

  • Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co.Mayo
  • (096) 25000 / LoCall 1890 506080
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI)

  • Unit 1, Airport Business Park, Cloghran, Co Dublin
  • (01) 844 7516
  • Click Here