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- Use mechanical and technical skills to maintain and repair forklift trucks
- You'll often travel to visit different clients
- You'll need practical, mechanical skills and good attention to detail
As a forklift truck engineer, you'll service and repair forklift trucks, hand trucks, or large trucks that move shipping containers, so they work correctly and meet safety standards.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Visiting clients on-site with a mobile workshop
- Identifying problems using tools, a laptop or hand-held computer
- Repairing or replacing faulty parts
- Servicing engines
- Test-driving trucks and making adjustments
- Carrying out safety checks
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in a workshop or visit sites, and your working environment may be dirty. You'll need a full driving license if you're going to work as a mobile service engineer.
You'll need
To be a forklift truck engineer, you'll need the ability to use, repair, and maintain machines and tools, problem-solving skills, thoroughness and attention to detail, knowledge of engineering science and technology, practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment, good initiative, persistence and determination, and the ability to work well with your hands.
You could take a college course in vehicle mechanics before applying for a job with a garage or repair service.
You can also complete an apprenticeship to get this job, such as in lift truck vehicle maintenance and repair.
To apply directly for this job, you'll need experience in lorry or bus servicing, mechanical engineering, or repairing construction or agricultural machinery.
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could progress to become a repair workshop supervisor or plant hire centre manager. You could also do further training to work on construction machinery, or become an electrical or mechanical engineer.