The annual Western Australian Jobs, Education and Training (WAJET) survey is underway and a specific call has been put out for forklift operators and owners of businesses which use forklifts across the state to take part.

The survey asks participants what their pain points are, whether that’s operating a business or a forklift, and what the government can do to help overcome them. 

It is produced by Industry Training Councils (ITCs), the Office of the State Training Board (OSTB) and the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

The current labour shortage appears to be front of mind for the 2025 survey.

“Western Australia’s supply chains depend on licensed forklift operators across ports, warehousing, transport and manufacturing,” a spokesperson helping to conduct the survey tells Forkliftaction News. “And the WA State Government is calling on industry’s feedback to help drive its 2026 workforce planning.

“Current evidence shows that demand for forklift operators remains high to critical across both metro and regional Western Australia, with persistent shortages of suitably licensed operators, particularly those with specialist high-risk RS/CN tickets.

“Employers report few applicants, strong competition from mining, and increasing difficulty finding experienced operators and trainers. 

“Regional employers also face higher training costs and limited access to qualified assessors, slowing supply and impacting local operations.”

The spokesperson explains the WAJET survey is seeking feedback on:

• Current and future demand for forklift operators, including LO/LF and specialist RS/CN roles.
• Recruitment and retention challenges, including licensing delays and cross-sector competition.
• Training barriers, such as trainer shortages, regional delivery gaps and equipment constraints.
• Skill needs linked to automation, digital systems and evolving safety requirements within modern warehouses and supply chains
• Sector- or region-specific workforce pressures, including freight growth, e-commerce expansion and mining-related draw-off.

“If your business relies on forklifts, this is your moment to be heard,” the spokesperson continues. 

To be involved, email Ian at the Logistics Skills Council.