Until the recent downturn in the economy, the chances of getting a job as a fork-lift operator were good.

According to the Census, the number of fork-lift operators increased by 53% between 1996 and 2006. That increase reflected the growth in many of the industries that use fork-lifts.

Number of fork-lift operators in New Zealand
 (1996, 2001, 2006)

Year	Number of fork-lift operators
1996	2,799
2001	3,657
2006	4,287
Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

However, the current recession is expected to reduce job opportunities for fork-lift operators. Some companies have already started to lay off fork-lift operators, and others are cutting back on hiring to save money.

Full-time fork-lift operators are employed by a wide range of businesses, including:

• manufacturers
• distributors
• freight companies
• ports companies
• forestry companies
• horticulture companies
• supermarkets.

Many smaller companies own or lease a fork-lift, but do not employ a full-time fork-lift operator. Instead, they employ staff who are qualified to use a fork-lift, but who do so only occasionally.

Fork-lift operators work throughout New Zealand.