If you are looking for work as a forklift operator in Wisconsin and do not have the required training: Employers generally prefer applicants with forklift certification. You can easily get hired when you have your license readied before submitting your application to them. Now, if you do not know how to get your forklift training, here, we’ve prepared the things that you need to do.
On the other hand, if you are presently employed, employers in Wisconsin comply with the OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.178) to train their forklift operators. The employers are the ones in charge of giving the forklift training to their forklift operators. OSHA orders the implementation of safety programs in the workplace to properly train their drivers to protect their welfare while at work. The training program must be conducted every three years and an evaluation must be done to ensure their competency. Forklift operators in Wisconsin do not require to be legally licensed but employers must ensure operators their capability and skills to drive the forklift.
Here are some of the vital topics you must know, READ these first:
- Is Driving Forklift the Right Job for You
- Where Can Operators Go to Get Certification?
- Requirements Operators Need to Take the Taking
- How Much Does It Cost to Get Forklift Certification?
- How Long is the Forklift Certification Course?
- Is Online Certification Right for You?
- I was Injured at Work, Is My Company Liable?
How to Apply for Forklift Training
- The main priority when you are a new operator is to decide which forklift truck you want to drive since the training program will be specific to the type of truck you will choose. Please check the types of forklifts below.
- Enroll in a training schedule in a school near you. You can check the below-mentioned list for reference on where to take the training.
- Attend the forklift classroom lectures and practice drive test. The classroom discussion usually lasts for 4-6 hours. While the practice test will be more comprehensive thus to complete the training it will take 2 days. You can refer to these 10 points to know to pass the practice test.
- A type of evaluation or some sort of written test will be given. The intention is to assess the knowledge acquired by the trainees. To help you pass, check out these questions for passing the written test.
- When you are qualified, you will receive you forklift operator license card and certificate of training completion.
Taking the exams could be worrisome, READ these to help you pass:
- How to Pass the Written Exam?
- Passing the Practical Test/Demonstration
- How to Become Forklift Certified?
Enrollment Basic Requirements
- You must 18 years old
- Must be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate
- Must be in very good physical condition because this kind of job is physically tiring, you need to work long hours
- Know how to implement safety policy in the workplace
To know more about other forklift certification requirements, you can follow this article to know more about the basic requirements.
Forklift Training Schools in Wisconsin
Here are the list of training providers in this state. You can contact them and inquire about what you need.
- First Quality Forklift Training LLC - 911 S Fidelis St., Appleton, WI 54915, Telephone:(800) 647-3738, (414) 768-3738
- Badger Toyotalift - 2473 S Commerce Dr, New Berlin, WI 53151, (262) 782 0220 or (800) 242 0541
- YES JCB - 7001 Manufacturers Dr., Madison, WI: 1-888-310-3902
- Fairchild Equipment- 5217 Heffron Ct., Stevens Point, Phone: (715) 341-6846
- Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp. - 3125 Intertech Drive, Brookfield WI 53045, Phone: (800) 634.9010
- Stoffel Equipment Co., Inc. - 7764 N. 81st Street, Milwaukee, 800-354-7502
- Crown Lift Trucks - 5150 S. Towne Drive, New Berlin, Fax: 262-695-0910
- Complete Safety Concepts - PO Box 240618, Milwaukee, Phone: 262-227-7951 / Fax: 888-211-8604
- Forklift Management Specialists, LLC - 5511 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, Ph: 715-843-LIFT, Fax: 877-857-3492
- Equipment Depot, Inc. - 4519 Helgesen Dr., Madison, Fax(608) 831-7000
- Associated Training Services - 7190 Elder Lane, Sun Prairie, (800) 383-7364
- Fox Valley Technical College - 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, P.O. Box 2277 Appleton, 920-735-5600
- United Rentals - 4195 Anderson RD, Deforest, 608-260-9558
- Superior Trailer & Equipment & Forklift - Visit 211 Hughitt Ave, Superior, WI, 715-395-9085
- VISTA Training, Inc. - 721 Cornerstone Crossing Waterford, Phone: +1(262) 514-2886
- Northcentral Technical College - 1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, 715.675.3331
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College - 505 Pine Ridge Drive, Shell Lake, 800.243.9482 or 715.468.2815
- Gateway Technical College - 3520 - 30th Avenue, Kenosha, Toll Free: 1-800-247-7122
- Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce - 300 5th Street, Racine, 262-634-1931
- Wisconsin Safety Council - 501 E. Washington Ave., Madison, Phone: 608.258.3400
- Kenosha Area Business Alliance - 3120 64th Street, Kenosha, Phone: 262.925.3460
- Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association - PO Box 8441, Green Bay, Phone: 920-615-3926
- Lakeshore Technical College - 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, 1.888.GO.TO.LTC, 920.693.1000 TTY 711
- Lakeside Curative Inc. - 2503 Lincolnwood Court, Racine, Phone 262.598.0098, Fax: 262.598.0083
Here are the applicable guides to assist you, BROWSE these subjects:
- Choosing the Forklift Training School
- How to Save Money on Training (for Employer)
- When Do You Need to Take Refresher Course?
- Will the Employer Train the Forklift Operators?
Types of Forklifts
Type 1: Electric Motor Forklifts
- Counterbalanced forklifts (Stand Up type)
- Electric forklifts with three wheels (sit down type)
- Counterbalanced Trucks with a cushion or solid tires (sit down type)
- Counterbalanced fork trucks with pneumatic Tire (sit down type)
Type 2: Narrow Aisle Forklifts with Electric Motor
- High lift Straddle forklift
- Order picker type
- Reach type forklift with Outrigger
- Side loader forklift (platforms type instead of pallet)
- Side loader trucks (high Lift Pallet instead of platform)
- Turret fork trucks
- Low lift platform type
- Low lift pallet type
Type 3: With Electric Motor Hand Forklifts or Hand/Rider Forklifts
- Tractor rider-type forklifts
- Forklifts with Low Lift Walkie/Center Control
- Reach Type Outrigger type forklift
- High Lift Straddle type
- Single Face Pallet type
- High Lift Platform type lift
- High Lift Counterbalanced lift type
- Low Lift Walkie/Rider forklift
- Pallet and End Control type
Type 4: Forklifts with Internal Combustion Engine (trucks with either Cushion solid Tires)
Counterbalanced forklifts - the ones ordinarily being used in the warehouse to move basic loads in pallets or platforms.
Type 5: Forklifts with Internal Combustion (IC) Engine (This type of truck have pneumatic tires instead of solid/cushion tires)
Type 6: Tractor type with an electric motor and internal combustion engine
Type 7: Rough Terrain Forklifts
This type of forklift is commonly used on the construction site and is used on uneven terrain.
Salary of Forklift Operator in this State
According to salary.com, as of February 27, 2023, a forklift operator in this state receives an annual salary ranging from $35,784 and $45,603, dependinon the size of the business and skill level of the operator. In Indiana, the closest state, salary of the operator is a bit lower.
| $39,877- Adell | $40,202- Greendale |
| $39,527- Argyle | $40,720- Haugen |
| $42,912- Baldwin | $39,477- Highland |
| $42,912- Barron | $39,810- Iron Ridge |
| $39,906- Beloit | $39,727- Ixonia |
| $40,180- Brookfield | $40,720 - Ladysmith |
| $39,632 - Cascade | $42,912- Luck |
| $42,912- Chetek | $4-,357- Maiden Rock |
| $41,634- Colfax | $40,137- Mequon |
| $42,912- Dresser | $39,877 - Random Lake |
| $41,776- East Ellsworth | $40,202 - Saint Francis |
| $42,145- Ellsworth | $39,542- Sauk City |
| $39,631 - Footville | $39,264 - Sheboygan |
| $40,137- Franklin | $40,727- Siren |
| $39,877- Fredonia | $42,912- Somerset |
| $40,050- Germantown | $40,137 - Thiensville |
| $42,912- Grantsburg | $39,862 - Union Grove |
Other factors play an important role when demanding a higher salary like the length of experience of the operator, driving proficiency, if the operator can drive different types of forklifts, and many others.
If you want to advance your skills from operating a forklift to becoming a safety trainer, you can take the train-the-trainer program. You can be promoted as your company’s internal consultant, then you can insist on a better salary.
Getting a Job
If you have completed the training and now looking for a job, here are the topics to aid you, READ THROUGH:
- How to Write a Resume?
- How to Find a Forklift Driving Job even If You Don't Have Experience?
- When to Shift to A New Job?
- Prospecting for a Job that Suits You
- Answering During Interview
Governing Authorities
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
201 E. Washington Avenue, Madison WI 53703
www.dwd.wisconsin.gov
(608) 555-1212
OSHA - Wisconsin State
1648 Tri Park Way, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914
p: (920) 734-4521
f: (920) 734-2661
Other Locations of WI
Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Waukesha, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Janesville, West Allis, La Crosse, Sheboygan, Wauwatosa, Fond du Lac, New Berlin, , Wausau, Brookfield, Beloit, Greenfield, Menomonee Falls, Franklin, Oak Creek, Manitowoc, West Bend, Sun Prairie, Superior, Stevens Point, Mount Pleasant, Neenah, Fitchburg, Caledonia, Muskego, Watertown, De Pere, Mequon, South Milwaukee, Germantown, Pleasant Prairie, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Cudahy, Onalaska, Middleton, Howard, Menasha, Ashwaubenon, Menomonie, Beaver Dam, Oconomowoc, Kaukauna, River Falls, Weston, Bellevue, Whitewater, Hartford, Whitefish Bay, Greendale, Allouez, Chippewa Falls, Pewaukee, Shorewood, Glendale, Hudson, Stoughton, Fort Atkinson, Plover, Waunakee, Baraboo, Brown Deer, Two Rivers, Grafton, Cedarburg, Suamico, Waupun, Port Washington, Platteville, Marinette, Monroe, Verona, Burlington, Little Chute, Portage, Elkhorn
