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Industrial Truck Operators drive gasoline-, liquefied gas-, or electric-powered industrial trucks or tractors equipped with a forklift, elevating platform, or trailer hitch. These trucks or tractors push, pull, lift, stack, or tier merchandise, equipment, or bulk materials in warehouses, storage yards, or factories. A common type of industrial truck is a forklift truck.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Industrial Truck Operators may:

            Position forks or other lifting devices under loaded pallets, skids, or boxes

Hook tow trucks to trailer hitches

Transport the load to a designated area

Unload and stack material by raising and lowering the lift

Take inventory of materials on the work floor and supply workers with materials as needed

Keep records of materials moved

Lubricate trucks, recharge the batteries, or fill fuel tanks

Move levers and depress pedals to drive the truck and control the movement of the lifting apparatus

Load and unload materials by hand

Tools and equipment used include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Industrial Truck Operators may specialize in these areas:

921.683-050 INDUSTRIAL-TRUCK OPERATORS drive gasoline-, liquefied gas-, or electric-powered industrial trucks or tractors equipped with a forklift, elevating platform, or trailer hitch. These trucks or tractors push, pull, lift, stack, or tier merchandise, equipment, or bulk materials in warehouses, storage yards, or factories. They may also be known as Forklift Operators.

921.683-070 STRADDLE-TRUCK OPERATORS drive four-wheeled vehicles that carry loads of materials beneath the elevated frame. The straddle trucks are used for short hauls within or near a plant.

921.683-042 FRONT-END LOADER OPERATORS drive rubber-tired tractor-type vehicles, equipped with front-mounted, hydraulically-powered buckets or scoops, to lift and transport bulk materials to and from storage or processing areas.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Supervision of Industrial Truck Operators is limited. They receive general instructions about moving materials, supplies, or merchandise from the warehouse supervisor or other supervisors.

Industrial Truck Operators may work inside buildings or outside in all kinds of weather. They may be subjected to noise, congestion, or dust and dirt from loose materials being moved.

They may be exposed to hazards such as collisions with other vehicles and falling objects. Workers who operate equipment in accordance with safety regulations can reduce hazards.

Greater use of quieter, more comfortable, and better handling trucks has improved working conditions for all types of Industrial Truck Operators.

Industrial Truck Operators usually work an 8 hour day, 5 days a week. Depending on the job, there may be shift work and overtime work.

Industrial Truck Operators may belong to unions such as The Teamsters or an industrial union representing the workers in the plant where they work. Those who belong to unions must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing routine, organized work

• Using machines and mechanical processes in your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude

• Judge heights and distances

• Read labels and instructions and write legibly

• Repeat activities/tasks as required by routine procedure/sequence

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A machine at work includes two hydraulic cylinders with pistons 4.5 inches and 5 inches in diameter. Fluid under pressure exerts force on the ends of the pistons. The pressure per square inch is equal everywhere in the system. If 40,500 pounds of force are exerted on the smaller piston, what total force is pushing on the larger piston?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read engineering plans and blueprints in accordance with specific jobs.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an inventory of materials on the work floor.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing work specifications and operating industrial trucks.

All Michigan companies having powered industrial trucks must train new workers to operate the trucks, make repairs, and handle materials. Employers must also issue a permit to these workers. In Michigan , the permit must be renewed every 3 years. Some firms might require applicants to pass a physical exam.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP PORT UNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0300 AUTOMOTIVE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script. 

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

029 OPERATING ENGINEER

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEAR NED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEAR NED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com

VEHICLE DRIVERS

The military uses numerous vehicles to transport its troops, equipment, and supplies. Together, the services own and operate about 50,000 heavy trucks and buses. Vehicle drivers operate all types of heavy military vehicles. They drive fuel or water tank truck, semi-tractor trailers, heavy troop transports, and passenger buses.

What They Do

Vehicle drivers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Read travel instructions to determine travel routes, arrival dates, and types of cargo

• Make sure vehicles are loaded properly

• Check oil, fuel and other fluid levels, and tire pressure

• Drive vehicles over all types of roads, traveling alone or in convoys

• Keep records of mileage driven and fuel and oil used

• Wash vehicles and perform routine maintenance and repairs

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school courses include driver education. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in driving

• Interest in mechanics

Work Environment

          Vehicle driving involves long periods of sitting. Drivers sometimes must change heavy tires.

Training Provided

          Job training consists of 7 to 8 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in driving

          heavy military vehicles. 

          Course content typically includes:

• Accident prevention

• Safety check procedures

• International road signs

• Basic vehicle maintenance

The Army and the Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for one specialty in this occupation.

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to read road maps.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian vehicle drivers work for trucking companies, moving companies, bus companies, and businesses with their own delivery fleets. They perform duties similar to military vehicle drivers. They may specialize as tractor-trailer truck drivers, tank truck drivers, heavy truck drivers, or bus drivers.

Opportunities

The services have about 14,000 vehicle drivers. They need new vehicle drivers each year. After job training, vehicle drivers are assigned to motor pools or motor transport units. They generally work without close supervision. In time, vehicle drivers may advance to supervisory positions assisting in the management of motor transport units.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Ways to explore this occupation include part-time or summer jobs. Training in military service and a formal apprenticeship may offer experience opportunities also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Industrial Truck Operator employer

internships

volunteer work with an Industrial Truck Operator employer

community service work with an agency

Persons may find employment as Industrial Truck Operators by applying directly to employers, contacting unions, or registering with an office of Michigan Works! Reading newspaper want ads may help to locate jobs. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Industrial Truck Operators vary according to the individual Operator's experience, type of employer, geographic location, and union affiliation.

Nationally, median earnings of Industrial Truck Operators were about $499 a week or $12.48 per hour in 2005. The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $16.28 in 2005.

Industrial Truck Operators working for automotive manufacturers (late 2005) had wages ranging from $18.95 to $25.78 per hour. These workers also receive a cost-of-living allowance.

In Michigan , the hourly earnings for these Operators in 2005 were:

Depending on the employer, most Industrial Truck Operators receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. In some cases, employers and employees may jointly contribute to union trust funds used to pay for certain fringe benefits.

Advancement opportunities are limited. Operators may advance, usually with additional training or experience, as follows: trainee; Industrial Truck Operator; supervisor. An Industrial Truck Operator may also advance by learning another job in the industry such as checker or shipping and receiving clerk. Education and ability may be the deciding factors in such promotions.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 635,000 Industrial Truck Operators employed in 2004. Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. The industry distribution for Industrial Truck Operator looked like this:

Increased use of automated material handling systems in large factories and warehouses will slow the rate of job growth. Operators may find the construction industry especially sensitive to trends in the general economy, with the number of openings changing yearly. Some openings are expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

There are approximately 23,200 Industrial Truck Operators in Michigan . Most worked in plants that produce automobiles; machinery; fabricated metal products; paper; building materials; iron and steel; stone, clay, and glass products; furniture and fixtures; and photographic equipment. Others worked in warehouses, depots, and freight and marine terminals.

Employment of Industrial Truck Operators in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. An average of 520 openings per year is expected with 80 due to growth and 440 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Workers transferring to other lines of work will create additional openings.

Decreases in the number of Industrial Truck Operators are expected due to technological advances in material handling methods and the use of automated transfer and storage systems. However, the current economic boom in the manufacturing sector has more than offset these loses. Continued growth in employment opportunities will be directly dependent upon increased manufacturing activity.  

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012  

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFO RMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth

Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth