Getting my forklift license or security guard license, which one?
By kris182_2000
@kris182_2000 (5444)
Canada
January 21, 2011 5:03pm CST
My husband brought up an issue the other night, as usual it was in regards to money. This is nothing new, quite repetitive actually, and it's getting me down.
He suggested that I go and get a security guard license so I can make more money and look forward to more steady hours.
The cost of this license is less than a forklift license, and doesn't always pay better, however, finding the right company to work for is the most important thing.
A forklift license gives me a chance to continue working labor jobs, which is something I've done for many years, but my back can't tolerate the physical labor anymore.
I could easily get either license, I'm smart enough to do so, but the question is which one to go for, or to do both if I had the money for it.
A quality training program for a forklift license would cost me $600. This would include 3 years of free use of the facility for practice, and more than one day of training, which is ideal I was told.
Pay for forklift operators is about $14/hr, benefits are possible, but not always available.
A security course would cost about $250 including CPR training, which is now mandatory for all guards.
Pay is anywhere from $10.25/hr to $18+/hr, and comes with benefits. It's a simple enough job for the most part, but not always, I know that. But I know I can do it.
So based on what I've said, which one should I do?
2 people like this
4 responses
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
21 Jan 11
As a woman I and some female co-workers were driving forklift over 30 years ago. We were working for a bean packing plant back then. Neither us women or the men had to have a license to take classes. We were told and shown what the leavers did and turned loose. I spent 3 years driving a forklift when it was announced in the local paper that the first woman had just started with another company. So having had experience driving a fork lift I would chose it over the security guard. You do do a lot of sitting. Then to with the security guard you probably will be on your feet a lot and neither one is really good for a bad back. You could get a back brace for the fork lift. You know, I really don't understand why it coast so much to take the training for the forklift.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
22 Jan 11
I am wondering if the licensing requirements are because of where she lives. Some security jobs are active, you walk and make regular rounds. Others you sit and watch monitors, very boring. Still others you learn to transport people who are going from one detention facility to another or people who have to be taken to mental hospitals or even, sometimes, children who are being placed in foster care. Some security guards drive in trucks and patrol outside manufacturing plants or at retailers or hospitals. Sometimes you attend special events. Hubby was a guard when Sarah Palin came to the area. I worked at a farm show, then at a circus. In my area forklift drivers are trained and tested by the companies they drive for. I think either one would be good.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
22 Jan 11
Here we do not have to have a license to be a security guard. Based on our experience with three companies, though, I would go for the Forklift driver. First off, most places here for guard work try to find people who only need part time, like retirees, and people with disabilities, like cannot stand long or sit long. People who are limited in how much they can earn. That way they do not have to pay for benefits.They do not hire full time employees. The other thing is, at least around here, the companies are rather cut throat, stealing contracts out from under each other, so it does not seem to be very secure. You also might find yourself in dangerous situations as well.
Going for both would give you a broader range of possibilities. More people seem to use forklifts than security guards. So what kind of job does hubby have?
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
22 Jan 11
Hubby works a minimum wage job in a furniture manufacturing warehouse.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
22 Jan 11
Maybe he needs to get a license to do something more.
@Electrolytes (12)
• United States
22 Jan 11
You should absolutely without a doubt go the forklift route. I have worked security for 9 years, and it has become so mentally demanding that I am now looking to start a new career. I also have experience with a forklift. Driving a forklift is exponentially less stressful in comparison to security type jobs. What kind of security are you looking into? It is very broad field and varies greatly in job duties, Pay, responsibility.
