Des Plaines, Ill. (Dec 16, 2025) - Oakton College’s Adult, Continuing Education and Workforce Development department recently launched a new forklift operator training program for students interested in manufacturing careers. Developed in partnership with the Youth Job Center (YJC) in Evanston and Atlas Toyota, the initiative enables students aged 18 or older to obtain forklift certification and gain hands-on experience during a single-day program.
Conducted at Atlas Toyota’s Elk Grove Village warehouse, students attended a classroom session followed by hands-on training for seven different types of forklifts.
With the fourth cohort’s completion in December, Oakton is proud to acknowledge 40 students who have successfully navigated the program. The initiative extends beyond forklift qualification alone. Oakton College also matches credential earners with employers in their area.
“Thank you again for not giving up on me, and thank you for helping me get my certification for forklift,” said Romildo Hyppolite, who recently completed the program.
To accommodate increased interest, Oakton will offer monthly training sessions in the spring, including a course instructed in Spanish, increasing access to the program.
“This short-term training opens gateways to a brighter future,” said Itri Papanikolla, Oakton’s Transportation, Distribution and Logistics program manager.
Oakton also partnered with YJC to develop a customized forklift operator training class for youth. This collaboration created an inclusive learning opportunity that supports early career exploration while building crucial skills aligned with industry needs.
Individuals looking to obtain a forklift certification or employers interested in supporting the initiative should contact cecareertraining@oakton.edu or visit the Program's Website.