How to Get Your Forklift Operator Certification in Wisconsin—and Why It’s Important

As you consider job and career options and the various training available, you may ask yourself, “Why should I get certification for forklift training?” Or, you may have already decided this should be your next step, and you want to know how to get your forklift certification in Wisconsin. Either way, you can use this guide to forklift training in Wisconsin to discover what you need to know.

Why it’s important

Is it really necessary to get your certification? Consider these top three reasons to get your Wisconsin forklift operator certification:

• Job opportunities: As you ask yourself why you should get a certification for forklift training, the answer that probably impacts you the most is job security. Employers typically prefer job applicants who are already certified. If you have the training under your belt, it will be easier to get hired for a position that requires forklift operation.
• Regulation requirements: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain safety programs in the workplace, which includes proper training on equipment. For an employer to comply with these regulations, they must demonstrate that workers are capable of safely driving a forklift. If you have forklift certification, this helps fulfill OSHA requirements.
• Safety: When you earn forklift certification, you learn to safely and efficiently operate the machinery. This helps you reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others. Adept drivers are also less likely to have accidents that cause damage to products or structures. This reduction in incidents further helps the company by reducing the risk of lawsuits and lowering insurance costs.

How to get your forklift certification in Wisconsin

The average salary for a forklift operator in Wisconsin is $37,655 per year, plus around $5,500 in overtime pay per year. If you’d like to get a job as a forklift operator, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet OSHA requirements for certification as a forklift operator.

Fortunately, obtaining your forklift operator certification is not a long or expensive process. You can earn your certificate by completing an OSHA-approved course. This can be taken in person or online. The course will include a written test, hands-on training and an evaluation. It can usually be completed in one or two days.

If your employer is not training you on the job, you can find a certification program at your local community college, forklift dealer or vocational school. Once you complete the training, you will need to recertify every three years.

The cost for this training course typically ranges from $50 to $200. In some cases, your employer may pay for the training.

Learn more

Have more questions about how to get your forklift certification in Wisconsin? Contact the team at Remis Power Systems Inc. Family owned and operated, we have been the area’s go-to source for industrial equipment since 1980. Our experts can help you learn more about forklifts and their operation and help you answer the important question, “Why should I get a certification for forklift training?” Reach our professionals today at 608-781-7144.

Categorised in: Forklift Certification

This post was written by Writer