What a forklift operator does
Forklift operators move materials in warehouses, distribution centres, plants and yards. They load and unload trucks, put away and retrieve pallets from racking, feed production lines and keep inventory where it belongs. Equipment can include counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, electric pallet jacks and propane units. Speed matters, but precision and awareness matter more, because one careless move can damage racking, product or a co-worker standing nearby.
In Ontario, there is no government forklift licence. Employers are responsible for making sure operators are trained and competent on the equipment they use, under the province's occupational health and safety rules for industrial workplaces. Finch asks candidates for proof of recent training, confirms which truck classes they have run and checks their safety record with references. You meet a shortlist of operators ready for your site-specific evaluation and orientation.
Typical responsibilities
- Load and unload trucks and containers safely and efficiently
- Put away and retrieve pallets from racking at various heights
- Move materials to production lines, staging areas or shipping docks
- Complete pre-use inspections and report equipment issues
- Scan and record inventory movements using RF devices or a WMS
- Keep aisles and docks clear and follow pedestrian safety rules
Qualifications and credentials
- Forklift training and proof of competency for the equipment class used, as Ontario's industrial establishments regulation requires
- Experience on counterbalance, reach truck or order picker equipment
- Completed worker health and safety awareness training, plus WHMIS for sites storing hazardous products
- Comfort with RF scanners and warehouse management systems
- Good depth perception and spatial awareness
Who hires a forklift operator
- Distribution centres and third-party logistics providers
- Manufacturing and food processing plants
- Building supply and lumber yards
- Retail and e-commerce warehouses
- Steel and metal service centres
Where we recruit forklift operator candidates
We fill forklift operator roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Proof of recent forklift training and the equipment classes covered
- Hands-on experience by truck type, load type and rack height
- Inspection habits and understanding of load capacity
- Safety record and any past incidents, confirmed through references
- Comfort with scanners and inventory systems
Interview questions to ask
- What do you check during a pre-use inspection, and what would make you tag a forklift out of service?
- How do you handle a load that looks unstable or heavier than expected?
- Tell me about working in a busy area with pedestrians. What habits keep everyone safe?