Skilled to Work: Forklift certification program at ICC

Reporter Sydney Darden spent time at ICC to learn more about the college’s forklift certification program.

As companies become more automated, more owners are looking for workers to operate their machines... in this week's skilled to work, wtva's sydney darden went to itawamba community college to get a look at their new forklift certification program... take pkg nats engine starting these forklift students are ready to start their engines.

And they're headed straight for a new career.

Nats engine noises.

But their jounrey to better job doesn't start here.... nats the center of gravity shift."

It starts here...in a classroom making sure all students learn the basics of operating a forklift.

Sot josh gammill, pathway coordinator- " we have companies reaching out looking for people that are certified to drive a forklift" the forklift certification is a one day program that teaches students about forklift operation, loading and safety in a matter of hours.

Sot "they get the instruction, they go out and they actually go out and practice on the equipment."

Once students get behind the wheel, insturctors guide them through a small course.

Making sure they can handle equipment in any factory setting.

Sot- "there is going to be a lot of people, alot of equipment and stuff that you have to navigate around."

((butted)) sot joseph schaefer, student -"i love how smooth it rides.

It just glides almost kind of like a new car."

Joseph schaefer is hoping his certification will help him break into the ever-growing industry of machine work.

Sot- "i was doing furniture upholstery before this and it was hard on my body so i'm hoping to do something more machine oriented."

Researchers say the forklift industry reached a global value of 49 billion dollars in 2019 and is expected to grow another 12.1 percent in the next 7 years.

Meaning with this certification---st udents can expct to be lifted into a booming industry.

Sot- "come out here and better yourself.

There is plenty of options out here."

In tupelo, sydney darden wtva 9 news.

I-c-c holds multiple forklift certification clases throughout the semester... for more infor mation we will post a link on the wtva website... eight