How to Get a Forklift Job in the GTA: Training, Pay and Where to Apply

To get a forklift job in the GTA you need training on the type of truck you will drive, proof of that training, safety boots, and a resume that names the trucks you have operated. Ontario does not issue a government forklift licence. The “forklift ticket” employers ask for is a certificate showing you were trained and evaluated. Many warehouses will hire a trained operator with little experience and finish the training on their own site.

This guide covers what the law expects, how to get trained, what to put on your resume, which jobs are around Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga, and how to apply without paying anyone.

Do you need a licence to drive a forklift in Ontario?

There is no provincial licence. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulation for industrial workplaces, the employer must make sure a lift truck operator is trained and competent. Training normally covers classroom theory, hands-on practice on the truck and an evaluation by a qualified person. You can read the regulation on ontario.ca.

In practice that means two things. A training provider can give you a certificate before you get a job, and your new employer still has to train you on its own trucks, racking and site rules. Most employers also expect a refresher after a few years. The CSA standard for lift trucks suggests every three years, and many sites follow it.

How to get forklift training

• Take a course from a training provider. Choose one that includes hands-on time on a real truck and gives you a written certificate with your name, the truck type and the date. Prices vary, so compare a few providers.
• Get trained by an employer. Some warehouses train new hires on the job. This is more common for pallet jacks and stand-up trucks than for reach trucks.
• Add the basics. WHMIS and a general health and safety awareness course are asked for at most sites. Both are often short and cheap.

One rule is worth remembering. Training is something you choose to buy from a provider, and that fee goes to the provider. An agency cannot charge you a fee to register or to find you work. Read do temp agencies charge workers a fee in Ontario if anyone asks you to pay for a job.

Which forklift types do GTA employers use?

• Counterbalance trucks for loading and unloading at docks and in yards
• Reach trucks for racking in distribution centres
• Order pickers that lift the operator to pick from height
• Pallet jacks and stackers for moving pallets inside the building

Your certificate should state the truck type. A counterbalance certificate does not automatically cover a reach truck, so list exactly what you are trained on.

What to put on your resume

1. Truck types you have operated and for how long
2. Your certificate date and the provider’s name
3. Whether you can scan, pick, pack and use a warehouse management system
4. Shifts you can work: days, afternoons, nights and weekends
5. Your closest area and how you travel to work, since many industrial parks have limited transit

Where forklift jobs are in the GTA

Distribution centres and plants cluster along the 401, 407, 400 and 410 corridors. Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan and Etobicoke have the largest number of warehouses, with more in Milton, Caledon, Markham and Scarborough. For local detail, see our pages on forklift jobs in Toronto, forklift jobs in Mississauga and warehouse jobs in Brampton.

Shifts and what to expect

Warehouses run days, afternoons and nights, and many agency assignments start on a temporary basis. Temporary jobs can lead to a permanent offer. If you want that, say so at the start and read is it worth going through a temp agency before you accept your first assignment. Pay depends on the employer, the truck type and the shift, so check each posting rather than relying on a general number.

How to apply through Supreme Employment

1. Submit your resume and upload your forklift certificate.
2. A recruiter calls you when a job matches your truck type, shift and area.
3. Bring your boots, hi-vis and ID to the first day.

Registering and getting placed is free. We are paid by the employer. Employers looking for operators can read about forklift operator staffing.

Common questions

Can I get a forklift job with no experience?

Sometimes. Some employers hire people with a certificate and no work history, particularly for pallet jacks, and then train them on their own equipment. Have your certificate ready and be open to nights.

How long does forklift training take?

Basic courses are often one or two days. The length depends on the provider and the truck type, so ask what is included before you book.

Does a forklift certificate expire?

Ontario law does not set a date on the certificate. Employers decide how often to retrain, and a refresher every three years is common.

What do I need to wear?

Most warehouses require safety boots with steel or composite toes and a hi-vis vest. Some also require safety glasses or gloves. The employer tells you before your first shift.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules on ontario.ca or with your employer.