Most workers acquire their skills on the job. Workers in these occupations often have high pay rates, but seasonal work may reduce earnings. Some move materials on or off trucks and ships.
Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials.
They may also set up and inspect equipment, make adjustments, and perform minor repairs when needed. Material moving equipment operators are classified by the type of equipment they operate. Each piece of equipment requires different skills to move different types of loads. Industrial truck and tractor operators drive and control industrial trucks or tractors equipped with lifting devices, such as a forklift or boom, and trailer hitches. A typical industrial truck, often called a forklift or lift truck, has a hydraulic lifting mechanism and forks.