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Forklift truck engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Forklift service engineer, mobile forklift engineer

Forklift truck engineers service and repair lift trucks.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 45 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You can do a course in vehicle mechanics before applying for a job with a garage or repair service. 

Courses include:

  • heavy vehicle maintenance and repair
  • construction plant or machinery maintenance
  • mechanical engineering

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Lift Truck and Powered Access Vehicle Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 3 years to complete and combines learning on the job and time spent off site with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience in mechanical engineering, or the service and repair of heavy vehicles, like:

  • lorries and buses
  • construction plant machinery
  • military vehicles
  • agricultural machinery
  • powered access platforms

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • persistence and determination
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need a full driving licence if you're going to work as a mobile service engineer.

You might also need a forklift operator certificate, though your employer may put you through that training when you start work.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a forklift truck engineer, you could:

  • visit clients on site with a mobile repair workshop
  • identify problems using tools, a laptop or hand-held computer
  • diagnose electrical, mechanical and hydraulic faults
  • repair or replace faulty parts
  • service engines
  • carry out safety checks
  • complete paperwork for each job

Working environment

You could work in a workshop or visit sites.

Your working environment may be dirty.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a repair workshop supervisor or plant hire centre manager.

You might also do further training to work on construction machinery, or become an electrical or mechanical engineer.

You could become self-employed and run your own service and repair business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Forklift Engineers

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: MOTHERWELL WAY, WEST THURROCK, ESSEX

FORK LIFT TRUCK ENGINEER APPRENTICESHIP

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: ASTMOOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUNCORN
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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