How to become a forklift operator in BC

Forklift Operator · British Columbia

Facts checked 7 September 2026

Drive forklifts in warehouses and yards. Your employer must train and test you to the CSA standard, or send you to a one-day course.

How long

1–3 days

Cost

About $200 – $400

Estimated tuition: about $200 to $400 for the whole program at the schools in our directory. Estimate; fees change every year. Confirm with the school.

Who licenses it

Employer, to CSA B335

No licence

Where you can take this: 12 schools

British Columbia Institute of Technology Coast Mountain College College of the Rockies North Island College Selkirk College Leavitt Machinery (Leavitt Training)Mainland Safety Training Company Matterhorn Crane & Rigging Training +4 more

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

Eligibility & Safety Gear Prerequisites

Age 16+, photo ID, steel-toed boots, and physical ability to operate machinery.

STEP 2

Forklift Safety Training Course (CSA B335)

1–2 day comprehensive instruction in lift truck physics, safety rules, and controls.

STEP 3

Practical Driving Evaluation & Testing

Direct operating exam testing pre-trip inspection, steering, stacking, and load control.

JOB

Trained forklift operator

Immediate employment in warehousing, manufacturing, shipping yards, and logistics depots.

STEP 1

Eligibility & Safety Gear Prerequisites

Age 16+, photo ID, steel-toed boots, and physical ability to operate machinery.

STEP 2

Forklift Safety Training Course (CSA B335)

1–2 day comprehensive instruction in lift truck physics, safety rules, and controls.

STEP 3

Practical Driving Evaluation & Testing

Direct operating exam testing pre-trip inspection, steering, stacking, and load control.

JOB

Trained forklift operator

Immediate employment in warehousing, manufacturing, shipping yards, and logistics depots.

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay

$17.85 – $33.99 / hr$22 median

Job outlook

10,380 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035

Where the work is

Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley, Central Okanagan, Northern BC

What a day looks like

You drive powered lift trucks to move, stack, and retrieve pallets in warehouses, freight terminals, and outdoor lumber yards in all weather.

Watch out for

Watch for pedestrian traffic in tight aisles and always keep loads low to prevent vehicle tip-overs.

Where it can lead

You can advance to warehouse team lead or logistics supervisor.

You can also train on heavy container reach stackers or become an in-house driver safety instructor.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 75101

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.

Job Board

WorkBC job board

Search “Forklift Operator” in BC →

Job Board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

Search “Forklift Operator” in BC →

Job Board

Search “Forklift Operator” in BC →

Job Board

Indeed

Search “Forklift Operator” in BC →

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Common questions

How long does it take to become a forklift operator in BC?

About 1 to 3 days of training. The main steps are eligibility & safety gear prerequisites, Forklift safety training course (CSA B335), practical driving evaluation & testing, trained forklift operator.

What are the requirements to become a forklift operator in BC?

At least 16 years of age (most industrial employers require 18+)
Government-issued photo identification
CSA-approved steel-toed safety footwear (green triangle)
Adequate physical coordination, depth perception, and vision
Working knowledge of written and spoken English

Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

How much does a forklift operator make in BC?

WorkBC groups this job under 'Material handlers'; the figures are for that group. The WorkBC median is $22 / hour. Most earn between $17.85 and $33.99 / hour. 10,380 job openings are expected in BC over 2025–2035. WorkBC lists average pay of $41,653 a year.

How much does it cost to become a forklift operator in BC?

Estimated tuition: about $200 to $400 for the whole program at the schools in our directory. Estimate; fees change every year. Confirm with the school.

Do you need a licence?

No licence. Your employer must make sure you are trained and tested to CSA Standard B335 before you drive a forklift, by the employer or a training company, and must give you upgrade training at least every three years. The course certificate is the school's, not a government one.

WHERE TO TAKE THIS

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Accredited British Columbia institutions offering recognized programs and courses for this career.

Browse all BC institutions

📦

Metro Safety Training

Coquitlam / Burnaby · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

WorkSafeBC Forklift Operator Certification Course

WorkSafeBC and CSA B335 compliant forklift training with hands-on maneuvering, safety theory, and practical evaluation.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $200 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚜

Leavitt Machinery (Leavitt Training)

Coquitlam / Surrey / Kelowna / Nanaimo · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

CSA B335 Forklift Operator Safety Training

Professional counterbalanced lift truck operator training covering stability principles, inspections, and driving assessments.

Duration1–2 days

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🔬

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Annacis Island Campus, Delta · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator 1 – Inexperienced (MEOP 1001)

BCIT School of Transportation practical forklift training meeting CSA Standard B335-15 at the Annacis Island Campus in Delta.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🌊

North Island College

Campbell River Campus · Vancouver Island

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator (FLO-010)

Continuing education forklift operator course covering CSA standards, daily pre-shift inspections, and practical maneuvering at Campbell River campus.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $300 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🏔️

College of the Rockies

Cranbrook Main Campus · Interior

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Certification Course

Comprehensive 8-hour classroom theory and practical driving assessment in Cranbrook complying with WorkSafeBC regulations and CSA B335 standards.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $300 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🌲

Selkirk College

Castlegar Campus · Interior

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Certification

Industry and trades training course covering WorkSafeBC regulations, counterbalance stability triangle, hazard management, and practical handling in Castlegar.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🔥

Coast Mountain College

Terrace Campus · North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Industry Certification

Continuing studies industry ticket covering forklift load management, CSA safety protocols, and hands-on operational assessments in Terrace.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $400 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🛡️

Mainland Safety Training Company

Surrey, Abbotsford, Langley, Richmond & Chilliwack · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Safety Training

Hands-on counterbalance and reach truck operator certification meeting CSA B335 and WorkSafeBC standards at Surrey and Abbotsford facilities.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $230 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚑

Trauma Tech

Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond & Kelowna · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Training Course

Workplace safety ticket covering counterbalance forklift inspection, safe load maneuvering, fueling safety, and driving practical evaluations in Burnaby.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🏗️

Westerra Equipment (Westhill Equipment Training)

Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Victoria & Kamloops · Fraser Valley

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Training Program

Comprehensive CSA B335-15 certified counterbalance forklift training with classroom instruction, pre-trip inspection, and practical driving evaluations.

Duration1–2 days

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostAbout $260 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

📦

Van Isle Forklift Training (VIF Safety)

Victoria & Nanaimo · Vancouver Island

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Certification & Re-Certification

Vancouver Island specialized mobile equipment training covering CSA standards, WorkSafeBC guidelines, theory, and hands-on driver testing.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🏔️

Matterhorn Crane & Rigging Training

Prince George · North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Forklift Operator Safety Ticket

Northern BC industrial lift truck training covering CSA B335 standards, counterbalance operation, load dynamics, and field competency assessments.

Duration1 day

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

See the full page: Forklift operator training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

How to become a forklift operator in BC

The route at a glance

Eligibility & Safety Gear Prerequisites

Forklift Safety Training Course (CSA B335)

Practical Driving Evaluation & Testing

Trained forklift operator

Eligibility & Safety Gear Prerequisites

Forklift Safety Training Course (CSA B335)

Practical Driving Evaluation & Testing

Trained forklift operator

What the job is like

Find jobs

WorkBC job board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

LinkedIn

Indeed

Common questions

How long does it take to become a forklift operator in BC?

What are the requirements to become a forklift operator in BC?

How much does a forklift operator make in BC?

How much does it cost to become a forklift operator in BC?

Do you need a licence?

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Metro Safety Training

WorkSafeBC Forklift Operator Certification Course

Leavitt Machinery (Leavitt Training)

CSA B335 Forklift Operator Safety Training

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Forklift Operator 1 – Inexperienced (MEOP 1001)

North Island College

Forklift Operator (FLO-010)

College of the Rockies

Forklift Certification Course

Selkirk College

Forklift Operator Certification

Coast Mountain College

Forklift Operator Industry Certification

Mainland Safety Training Company

Forklift Operator Safety Training

Trauma Tech

Forklift Operator Training Course

Westerra Equipment (Westhill Equipment Training)

Forklift Operator Training Program

Van Isle Forklift Training (VIF Safety)

Forklift Operator Certification & Re-Certification

Matterhorn Crane & Rigging Training

Forklift Operator Safety Ticket