Actors Yoo Yeon-seok (left) and Nancy Lang. [Yonhap]
Actors Yoo Yeon-seok (left) and Nancy Lang. [Yonhap]

The forklift operator certificate has emerged as the most sought-after technician-level qualification among people taking South Korea's national technical skills examinations for employment purposes. Across every age group from those in their 20s to those 60 and older — with the sole exception of teenagers — the forklift operator certificate ranked first among technician-level credentials.

According to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea's "2026 National Technical Qualifications Candidate Basic Survey" released Thursday, a study of the 1,856,264 people who sat the written portion of national technical qualification exams last year found that 38.5 percent cited employment as their reason for pursuing a certificate — the largest share of any stated purpose.

Self-development came second at 25.8 percent, followed by improving job performance at 12.6 percent. The total number of respondents rose about 5.7 percent from 1,756,557 in 2024. Job seekers among the respondents increased 11.7 percent year on year, while the self-employed rose 14.9 percent.

By economic activity type, wage workers made up the largest group at 37.1 percent, followed by students at 29.8 percent and job seekers at 19.5 percent. By age, those in their 20s accounted for the largest share at 32.0 percent, followed by those in their 30s at 19.2 percent, teenagers at 15.6 percent, those in their 40s at 14.3 percent, those in their 50s at 12.9 percent, and those 60 and older at 6.0 percent.

Technician-level candidates accounted for more than half of all test-takers at 52.7 percent. Engineer-level candidates followed at 29.5 percent, industrial engineer at 12.3 percent, service fields at 2.6 percent, professional engineer at 1.5 percent, and master craftsman at 1.4 percent.

Preferred subjects varied by certification level among employment-motivated candidates.

At the engineer level, information processing was the top choice, followed by industrial safety, electrical work, general machinery and construction safety. At the industrial engineer level, industrial safety ranked first, followed by electrical work, hazardous materials, air conditioning and refrigeration machinery, and information processing.

At the technician level, the forklift operator certificate took the top spot, followed by the electrical technician certificate, the hansik (Korean cuisine) cooking technician certificate, the cosmetology technician certificate and the bread-making technician certificate.

Regardless of employment status — whether employed, self-employed or job-seeking — the forklift operator certificate was the most preferred technician-level qualification in every category. By age, it ranked first among those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and older; only teenagers preferred the cosmetology certificate over it.

The volume of test-takers reflects the credential's popularity. According to the agency's "2026 National Technical Qualifications Statistical Yearbook" released in June, 110,316 people sat the forklift operator written exam in 2025. That placed it among the most-taken qualifications overall, trailing only the computer proficiency level 2 and level 1 exams, and it drew the largest number of candidates of any technician-level qualification.

Forklifts — equipment that uses front-mounted forks to lift and transport cargo — are widely used at logistics centers, warehouses, manufacturing plants, construction sites and ports. Obtaining the forklift operator certificate, however, does not automatically allow a person to operate a registered construction machine forklift on site.

The forklift operator certificate carries no educational or career prerequisites, making it relatively accessible compared with engineer or industrial engineer credentials. Candidates need only pass a written and a practical exam to earn the qualification.

Under current enforcement regulations of the Construction Machinery Management Act, a person who holds the forklift operator certificate or another qualifying national technical credential may apply to the relevant mayor, county chief or district mayor for a construction machinery operator's license. Forklifts under three tons are classified as small construction machinery, and a separate pathway — completing a course at a designated training institution — is also available for that category.

Because forklifts operate in workplaces where cargo and workers move in close proximity, safety management is critical. Beyond holding the proper certificate and license, operators at industrial sites must follow safety rules including wearing seat belts, checking load conditions and controlling worker access along travel routes.

Several South Korean celebrities have publicly disclosed obtaining forklift-related qualifications as a career backup plan.

Actor Yoo Yeon-seok said on a television program that he earned a forklift license during his mandatory military service out of anxiety about what he would do if no acting roles came his way after discharge.

Actor Lee Jung-hyun, known to hold multiple certifications, has also said she obtained a forklift-related qualification in case she needed to pursue work outside of acting. Actor Seong Hoon and pop artist Nancy Lang are also said to hold the credential.

With employment remaining the top motivation among national technical qualification candidates, the forklift operator certificate continues to attract a broad following from young adults to middle-aged and older workers alike. Its lack of entry requirements and its applicability across logistics, manufacturing, construction and other industries are widely cited as the key factors driving its appeal.


rainbow@heraldcorp.com