WorkWhile has launched the first-of-its-kind in-app training and forklift certification to meet the high demand for certified forklift operators.

The launch comes amid the ongoing shortage of skilled labour, especially certified forklift operators.

The free forklift certification program is the first of many initiatives aimed at helping hourly workers create more financial opportunities for themselves. Workers with a forklift certification can earn, on average, around $3.55 more per hour —or over $7,300 per year— compared to a material mover without a forklift certification. 

WorkWhile has partnered with Forklift Certification Institute, an all-online, OSHA-compliant forklift certification program, to provide the training content and certification testing through the WorkWhile app. The partnership delivers a path to uplevelling skills and earning more money for a blue-collar workforce.

"As a worker-first platform, we are proud to offer our workers an easy, accessible and free way to start building a career while increasing their earning potential," says Jarah Euston, co-founder and CEO of WorkWhile. "WorkWhile is in a unique position to help workers develop new skills that they can apply immediately to businesses with critical, unfilled jobs. We are addressing the skilled labour shortage head-on by offering a 21st century, all-mobile path to certification for these in-demand jobs."

WorkWhile is available in 15 states and the District of Columbia: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, DC.