The cereal you eat for breakfast, the clothes you wear, and the bicycles you ride were probably moved at one time or another by power truck operators. These operators move heavy boxes, crates, and drums with industrial, or power, trucks. At one time boxes, crates, and drums had to be moved on and off ships and trucks and in and out of warehouses by hand. This was slow and very tiring work. Today power truck operators can move materials quickly and effortlessly.
Power truck operators move cartons of canned goods or drums of chemicals. Some operate trucks that can pick up bottles and move them without breaking them. Even fragile items, such as china and glassware, are moved by power trucks.
There are several kinds of power trucks. The main types are platform and fork lift trucks. Some have scoops that pick up material such as coal. Others are able to lift boxes quite high in the air to stack them on top of other boxes. Sometimes power trucks have tow bars that pull small trailers. Most power trucks run on electricity from large batteries; some, however, run on gasoline.
The containers that are to be picked up sit on platforms, called pallets or skids. The truck has either a platform or a large fork attached to the front of it. By moving levers and pedals, the power truck operator can slip the platform or fork under the containers. The material can be moved just as it is stacked without disturbing it or having to unstack and restack it.
Power truck operators generally must be able to do minor repairs on their trucks. In addition, they must do some loading and unloading by hand. Some power truck operators must keep records of the materials they move.
Operators work in many different places, from toy manufacturing firms to auto factories and steel mills. They work in newspaper publishing houses and large supermarkets. The federal government also employs power truck operators. Power truck operators work in almost any place where large quantities of material must be moved frequently.
Education and Training
Almost all power truck operators learn their trade on the job. You do not have to be a high school graduate to become a power truck operator. However, some employers prefer to hire high school graduates.
Most companies will ask you to take a physical examination before they hire you. This exam tests your physical fitness, coordination, depth perception, and other qualities that are important on the job. After you are hired, it takes about 3 days to be trained as an operator. After that you spend most of your time operating a truck and learning the layout of the warehouse or storage area. It takes a great deal of time to become familiar with all the storage areas in a large warehouse and to learn the best way to move material safely from one area to another.
Getting the Job
You can apply directly to large manufacturing firms, warehouses, storage depots, and dock terminals. You should ask about their on the job training programs.
Employment Outlook
An experienced power truck operator can become the supervisor of a group of power truck operators. Although power truck operators are employed nationwide, most work in large industrial cities in the states of California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The employment outlook for power truck operators is only fair through the year 2006. Most of the workers in this occupation are employed in the declining manufacturing sector. In addition, computerized systems and automated material handling systems will result in fewer operator jobs.
Working Conditions
Power truck operators must be very skillful in operating their trucks. Because they are moving large, heavy items, they must be careful not to drop a load or upset a pile of boxes on themselves or other workers. They must also take care not to damage the material on their trucks. They must be able to judge distances very accurately.
Most power truck operators work 40 hours a week. Some overtime work may be available. Power truck operators work both indoors and outdoors.
At times the work is dirty. At times they must lift boxes by hand, so power truck operators must be strong and in good physical condition. They have a variety of assignments and change locations often as they move material from one part of the warehouse to another.
Many power truck operators belong to unions. Generally, they are members of the unions that are active where they work.
Earnings and Benefits
Currently, the average salary for all power truck operators is about $21,600 a year. Overtime is paid at the rate of time and a half. Benefits usually include paid vacations, sick leave, health and life insurance, and retirement plans.
