cv-generator
Menu

Forklift Operator CV example and template (South Africa)

Forklift operators are needed wherever pallets move: distribution centres, factories, cold stores, timber and steel yards, ports and building suppliers. In South Africa a forklift is a lift truck under the Driven Machinery Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, so before you may operate one you need training and a certificate of competence from a provider accredited by TETA (the Transport Education Training Authority), plus written permission from the employer to drive on their site. A warehouse manager reading your CV looks for the type of truck you are trained on, whether your certificate is current, and proof that you work safely around people and racking.

The example below is for an operator with about six years on counterbalance and reach trucks in a busy DC. If you are just starting, put your lift truck certificate right under your personal details, with the truck types and the year, then list any warehouse work such as picking, receiving or using a pallet jack. Operators who can do stock counts on a scanner or work in a cold store at minus 20 degrees often get the post over someone who can only drive.

Opens this CV in our free builder so you can put in your own details. No account needed.

Forklift Operator CV example

Mandla Zungu

Forklift operator, counterbalance and reach truck, 6 years in a DC

076 555 0119 · mandla.zungu@example.co.za · Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal

Profile

Forklift operator with six years on counterbalance and reach trucks in a Durban distribution centre, with a current lift truck certificate of competence from a TETA-accredited provider. Stacks and retrieves pallets in racking up to 10 metres, does a daily pre-use checklist on every shift and has had no damage incidents in four years. Also confident with RF scanners for put-away and stock counts.

Work experience

Forklift Operator

Pick n Pay Distribution Centre, Durban | Jun 2021 – Present

  • Operate a Linde electric reach truck, putting away and retrieving pallets from racking up to 10 metres high
  • Load and offload up to 12 trucks a shift with a Toyota diesel counterbalance forklift
  • Complete the daily pre-use checklist before every shift and report faults to the workshop
  • Check loads against the load chart and stack within marked beam load limits
  • Scan every put-away and move on an RF scanner so system stock matches the floor

Warehouse Assistant and Forklift Operator

Coastal Container Depot, Pinetown | Sep 2018 – May 2021

  • Unpacked containers with a gas counterbalance forklift and checked cargo against packing lists
  • Built and wrapped pallets for outbound loads
  • Moved stock with pallet jacks and stackers in the bonded store

General Worker

Pinetown Timber Supplies, Pinetown | Feb 2017 – Aug 2018

  • Loaded and offloaded timber and building materials by hand
  • Helped the forklift driver with banksman signals before being sent on lift truck training

Education

National Senior Certificate (Matric)

Menzi High School, 2016, NQF level 4

Subjects: isiZulu Home Language, English First Additional Language, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Life Orientation

Skills

  • Counterbalance forklift (electric, diesel and LPG)
  • Reach truck in high racking
  • Load charts and rated capacity
  • Daily pre-use checklists
  • RF scanner put-away and stock counts
  • Truck and container loading
  • Safety record with no incidents in four years

Certificates

  • Lift Truck Operator Certificate of Competence (reach truck), refresher, TETA-accredited training provider, 2025
  • Lift Truck Operator Certificate of Competence (counterbalance), TETA-accredited training provider, 2018
  • Basic Firefighting, Accredited training provider, 2022

Achievements

  • No damage incidents to stock, racking or vehicles since 2022
  • Current medical fitness certificate, including an eye test, 2026

Personal details

Driver’s licence:
Code B (Code 8)
Own transport:
Yes
Nationality:
South African
Languages:
isiZulu (Home language), English (Fluent)
Notice period:
Two weeks
Availability:
Rotating day and night shifts, and Saturdays

References

Rajesh Naidoo

Warehouse Manager, Pick n Pay Distribution Centre

031 555 0147

Sizwe Dlamini

Shift Supervisor, Coastal Container Depot

031 555 0182

Forklift Operator CV summary you can copy

Change the details so they are true for you.

Forklift operator with six years on counterbalance and reach trucks in a Durban distribution centre, with a current lift truck certificate of competence from a TETA-accredited provider. Stacks and retrieves pallets in racking up to 10 metres, does a daily pre-use checklist on every shift and has had no damage incidents in four years. Also confident with RF scanners for put-away and stock counts.

Skills to list on your Forklift Operator CV

Duties written as strong bullet points

Tips for a stronger Forklift Operator CV

Put your certificate details up front

Write the truck types, the provider and the year, for example "Lift truck certificate of competence, counterbalance and reach truck, 2024, TETA-accredited provider". Managers screen for this first. If your certificate is due for a refresher, book it before you apply.

Say which trucks you have actually driven

A counterbalance on a loading dock and a reach truck in 12-metre racking are very different jobs. Name the type, the fuel (electric, diesel or LPG) and, if you remember, the make such as Toyota, Linde, Hyster or Still. It shows you will not need weeks of practice.

Show your safety record

Forklift accidents cause serious injuries and damage expensive racking and stock, so a clean record is your strongest selling point. Write how long you have gone without an incident and that you do the daily checklist every shift.

Add the warehouse skills around the driving

Many sites want operators who can also scan put-aways, do cycle counts, check deliveries or load trucks to a plan. One or two lines about these turn you from "a driver" into someone the shift supervisor can use anywhere.

Questions people ask

Is there an official forklift licence in South Africa?

Not like a driver's licence from a traffic department. Under the Driven Machinery Regulations, an operator must be trained and found competent, usually by a TETA-accredited training provider that issues a certificate of competence. The employer must then authorise you in writing to operate their lift trucks.

Does my forklift certificate work at a new company?

Your certificate of competence shows you were trained, but each employer must be satisfied that you can operate their trucks on their site and give you their own written authorisation. Many companies test new operators or send them on a short refresher or site induction before they start.

What is the difference between a counterbalance and a reach truck?

A counterbalance forklift has its forks in front and a heavy weight at the back, and is used for loading trucks, yards and general work. A reach truck is electric, works in narrow aisles and can push its forks forward to reach pallets high in racking. Each needs its own training, so list both if you have them.

How often must forklift training be renewed?

The regulations do not set one fixed national expiry date. Employers decide on refresher training, often every one or two years, or sooner after an incident or a new type of truck. Check what your next employer asks for and keep proof of your latest training.

Do I need a medical certificate to drive a forklift?

Many employers ask for a medical fitness certificate, including an eye test, before letting you operate a lift truck, and repeat it at regular intervals. If you have a current one, say so on your CV, because it saves the employer time before you can start.

Related CV examples