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Looking for experienced workers? A well-written forklift truck driver job description can help!

Coople’s licensed forklift drivers can fulfil your business needs. We connect you with skilled, flexible workers to carry out a variety of tasks, including loading and unloading goods safely, receiving and processing shipments and inspecting machinery.

Knowing how to write a good forklift truck driver job description will help you make the right hire for your business. Use our guidelines to get started.

Experienced driver working in warehouse thanks to a well-written forklift truck driver job description

All forklift drivers on our platform are vetted for their experience by our team. You can also review CVs and previous ratings of all your applicants before making a hiring decision. We know that a strong team makes all the difference to your business. You will find the best forklift drivers for your role if you provide clear, realistic expectations in the job description. Providing the essential information during the hiring process also allows candidates to decide whether this job will be a good fit for them.

A well-written forklift truck driver job description should include the following:

An attention-grabbing intro paragraph

Start your forklift truck driver job description with a short paragraph selling prospective applicants on your business and the kind of workplace they can expect.

Talk about company culture and values and anything else you feel is worth mentioning. For example, you could include things like opportunities for advancement, your company’s safety policies and so on.

Forklift driver job responsibilities

In order to recruit the right person for the job, you need to outline in detail exactly what will be required of them. For example:

  • Utilising a Pivot Steer/Bendi/Flexi ForkLift Truck (FLT) to assist with the movement of stock
  • Inspecting and performing maintenance on forklifts and other material handling equipment
  • Sorting, maintaining and dispatching goods
  • Using wireless RF scanning equipment to ensure accuracy of inventory
  • Adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Loading goods onto conveyor belts


If you need more details about the usual forklift driver profiles (including salaries) we invite you to read the official national descriptions.

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What skills and experience are you looking for?

Outlining the specific skills, qualifications and experience required for the role is another way of ensuring that only qualified candidates apply. This will also cut down on your hiring time.

 

Qualifications

Hiring companies have a responsibility to ensure their forklift drivers are adequately trained and qualified to operate a forklift. Experienced forklift drivers will need a valid, in-date licence with one of the following:

  • AITT Association of Industrial Truck Trainers
  • NPORS National Plant Operators Registration Scheme
  • RTITB Road Transport Industry Training Board
  • ITSSAR Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register
  • NORS National Operator Registration Scheme

Experience

If specific skills or minimum experience working with heavy machinery is required, make sure you highlight that in the job description. For example:

  • 6+ Months experience operating powered forklifts
  • Strong understanding of health & safety regulations
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds, unassisted
Screenshot of forklift driver job opening on the Coople app, highlighting eligible applicants

What should forklift driver applicants expect and prepare for at your facility?

Let prospective job applicants know what to expect when working in your warehouse. Include points like:

  • Specific uniform requirements and whether or not uniform and safety gear will be provided (provide examples)
  • Description of heavy machinery and equipment workers will be using (provide examples)
  • Potential exposure to harmful substances (e.g. cleaning chemicals)
  • Preparation for warehouse temperatures: if the warehouse is particularly cold or hot (e.g. if food is processed there)
Close-up of young woman wearing noise protection ear muffs driving a forklift in a warehouse

What are your working hours and benefits?

In the intro paragraph you sold potential applicants on your company. In this section you need to sell them on the position itself. Let them know if the job is temporary or permanent, fulltime or parttime and what the work schedule looks like. Will they be working weekdays or weekends, day or night shift, etc.

Make a point of highlighting the benefits they can expect as well. This might include things like paid time off, medical coverage, study assistance and so on. It’s also a good idea to provide the hourly rate you’re offering.

End off with a strong call to action (CTA)

Complete your forklift truck driver job description with a clear call to action. Ask prospective applicants to submit their CV along with any other documents you require. Tell them where to send it and to whom. If there’s a closing date for applications, make sure you mention it here.

Providing this information increases your chances that only the right candidates will apply. This will save you time when you make hiring choices. More importantly, when you give our candidates the information they need to succeed, they will be very motivated to do a great job.

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