We had the non-motorized pallet jacks as well. You could stand on the forks and hold the handle while kicking off like a skateboard. They were heavy but you could get them moving fast! I bit harder to stop. You could turn the handle sideways fast to sort of make it skid. haha.
Back in those days school was done after 8 grades and one started a apprenticeship
I actually think this might be better. This way you can focus closely on the subject that you want to work in.