New Mexico is one of the states that produce crude oil, coal and natural gas. With the need to transport those natural resources from the mines to processing plants demand lots of effort. There are many types of heavy equipment involved and one of those is a forklift. Before you get accepted as a forklift driver, you need to be trained first as mandated by OSHA. Otherwise, you cannot be accepted for the job or could be penalized when found without proper training at the workplace.
With this in mind, it’s tantamount to get training and consequently be issued with forklift certification. Here, we’ll teach you how to apply for the forklift training and get your certificate.
How to Apply for Forklift Training
There are several ways to get your forklift operator training, but we’ll focus first on the training school where you will acquire more knowledge.
- We’ve provided you with the lists of schools in New Mexico where they offer forklift operator training course at their training centers. Choose one nearest to you.
- Enroll for the course. The forklift licensing course is comprised of classroom education or discussions. In this state, you will attend the trainer’s 5-hour lectures. And then it proceeded by the hands-on actual forklift operating. In New Mexico, training schools perform practical basic skills assessment. During this stage, you will be driving the forklift in a location very closely resembled actual workplace. You are tasked to complete your given assignment of unloading/loading/transporting of materials from one location to the next, do inspection check, basic troubleshooting, stacking of loads heights. Safety maneuvering, advocacy of safety awareness, and many other topics. The trainer watches over your performance.
- After those crucial two stages, all trainees are advised to prepare for written test which tackles the whole subjects during the classroom lectures and actual operation.
- The trainer’s evaluation is mandatory. The trainer makes your performance rating during the actual operation. The passing grade varies because schools have their own grading system.
- If you pass both the written exam and evaluation, the school will print your certification and license.
- The license is valid in three years. Refresher course will be required after.
Another mean of getting forklift training is through a company-sponsored workshop. The employer hires an accredited trainer and conducts internal training for forklift operators. This type of method is the most preferred because the trainer can alter his training program to correspond with the condition of the workplace and types of forklifts being used.
Pause for a moment, I would like to ask some of your time to read these important topics:
- How to Get Forklift Certified
- Where Can You Go to Get Trained Driving Forklifts
- Requirements For Taking the Training
- How Much Does It Cost to Get Certified
- Duration and Length of the Training Course
- Online Forklift Certification - Is This the One Right for You
- Can You Use Your Forklift Certification to Work with Another Company
- Can You use Your Forklift Certification to Work in Other State
- Can You Get a Forklift Job If You Have DUI
If you are an employer, CHECK these subjects:
- How to Save Money by Appointing Someone to Conduct the Training
- It is Your Responsibility to Train the Forklift Operators
- What Should the Training Be Composed of to Comply with OSHA
- An operator is Injured at Work, Are You Liable?
- How to Renew Forklift Certification for Your Forklift Operators
Forklift Training Requirements
- No training applicants must be under the age of 18. OSHA required that all individuals who intend to enter this field must be of legal age. It has been observed during the past years, that most accidents involved an underage individual who does not have matured mind driving forklifts. Those operators are the common cause of near-miss and minor accidents at the workplace.
- 8 hours of work and sometimes longer and repetitive maneuvering and loading always require physical force and it demand operator to be physically fit.
- Background checking is sometimes mandatory. If you can show any evidence of you having no derogatory record can give the better chance of getting accepted into the training and even in the actual job itself. Employers may require you to submit supplemental documents, you should always be ready.
- Applicant must be a high school graduate
Forklift Training Schools in New Mexico
The schools will grant you with required training documentation for your licensing that proper practice and schooling have been done. This is in conjunction with OSHA requirements that all operators new or employed must be properly trained before driving any type of forklift at the workplace. The schools establish a benchmark for the applicants to get excellent training and evaluation.
Here the schools and training centers in the area of New Mexico:
- Albuquerque Forklift & Eqpt - 5501 Midway Park Pl Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87109-5826
- FMH Material Handling Solutions - 2108 Candelaria Rd Ne, Albuquerque, NM, 87107-2031, 800-325-7669
- Medley Equipment Company - 3506 E. Center Ave, Carlsbad New Mexico 79119, Phone: (866) 734-6687, Fax: (575) 887-6928
- Forklift Enterprises - 2908 W Marland Blvd, Hobbs, NM, Phone: +1 575-397-6431
- Mine Pro Safety Training - 210 W. Luckey St., Carlsbad NM 88220, PHONE 575-706-0056
- Herc Rentals Inc. - 3601 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Phone: 505-344-5500
- Ahern Rentals - 3120 Pan American FWY NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107-4738, Phone: 505-247-4300, Fax: 505-247-4301
- Safety Counselling Inc. - 3207 Matthew Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, (800) 640-0724, (505) 881-1112
- ASCO Equipment - 108 S Maple St., Clovis, NM 88101-778
- Goodwill Industries - 5000 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Phone:(505) 881.6401, 1.866.376.0182 (Toll Free)
- Welch Equipment - 3322 Columbia NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, (505) 822-8043
- Train It - 575.840.9555
- The University of New Mexico - Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 277-0111
- Central New Mexico Community College - 900 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM, (505) 224-3000 or toll-free at (888) 453-1304
- San Juan College - 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, New Mexico, (505) 326-3311
- New Mexico State University - 1620 Standley Dr., Academic Research Blvd. C, Las Cruces, NM 88003, Phone: 575-646-3327, Fax: 575-646-7898
If you do not know how to select the school right for you, this might help you, READ this:
Benefits of Being Certified Forklift Operator
- The #1 advantage of being a trained forklift operator is it opens job employment opportunities. You are more likely to be picked when you can present your forklift driving license to the company.
- Certified operators are more fruitful in doing assigned tasks, they can finish assignments in a shorter amount of time and do more work.
- Trained operators are safety conscious. They imparted with a culture that safety is the #1 priority at the workplace. They tend to commit less accident, fewer mishaps, near misses.
Salary of Licensed Forklift Operator
In New Mexico, a certified forklift operator can make as much as $37,127 per year on average. In Texas, the wage is significantly higher.
In the latest February 27, 2023 survey report of Salary.Com, here are the cities of this state that offer the big salary for forklift operators:
| $38,193- Albuquerque | $37,584- Mentmore |
| $37,777- Angel Fire | $36,262 - Milnesand |
| $37,681- Aztec | $37,681- Nageezi |
| $37,949- Bosque Farms | $37,777- Newkirk |
| $37,584- Brimhall | $37,777 - Ojo Feliz |
| $37,705- Cerrillos | $37,868 - Peralta |
| $37,980- Chimayo | $37,746- Ponderosa |
| $37,871- Cochiti Lake | $37,777- Questa |
| $38,153- Corrales | $38,081- Rio Rancho |
| $37,940- Espanola | $38,127- Rodeo |
| $37,681- Flora Vista | $37,899- Rowe |
| $37,777- Garita | $37,777- San Cristobal |
| $38,224 - Glorieta | $37,980- Santa Cruz |
| $35,624- Hondo | $37,584- Socorro |
| $37,990- Isleta | $38,387- Tesuque |
| $37,745- Jemez Springs | $37,949 - Tijeras |
| $38,193- Kirtland Afb | $37,681 - Vaughn |
| $37,777 - Llano | $38,143- White Rock |
| $37,828- Los Lunas | $37,584- Zuni |
With the growing industry of oil refining and natural gas processing, companies need more manpower with their increased production, operators are assigned to work longer hours and better overtime pay can add up to day’s earnings.
If you can show sign of potential to become the company’s own trainer, you can receive a higher salary. You could be an in-house trainer, fleet supervisor, or team leader.
Care more about safety and productivity during employment. With that in mind, you can exhibit your utmost professionalism to advance your career.
Governing Agencies:
If you are asking for more information related to occupational safety, health, wages, and benefits, you can contact these bureaus:
Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 3
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
401 Broadway NE, Albuquerque NM
505-841-8450
www.dws.state.nm.us
Cities and Location of NM
Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Roswell, Farmington, South Valley, Clovis, Hobbs, Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Gallup, Sunland Park, Los Lunas, Deming, Chaparral, Las Vegas, Artesia, Portales, Los Alamos, Lovington, North Valley, Española, Silver City, Zuni Pueblo, Anthony, Grants, Shiprock, Bernalillo, Socorro, Corrales, Ruidoso, Bloomfield, Belen, Kirtland, Raton, Lee Acres, Aztec, Truth or Consequences, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Eldorado at Santa Fe, White Rock, North Hobbs, Taos, Meadow Lake, Rio Communities, Placitas Cdp, Tucumcari, Paradise Hills, El Cerro Mission, Los Chaves, Santa Teresa, Bosque Farms, Holloman AFB, Edgewood, Peralta, Agua Fria, Milan, Sandia Heights, University Park, Eunice, San Felipe Pueblo, La Cienega, El Cerro, Tularosa, West Hammond, Vado, Clayton
