Specification

You must:

• be 16 or over
• not already be in full-time education
• live in England to qualify for Didac funded apprenticeships

You can start an apprenticeship whether you’re starting your career, want a change or you’re upskilling in your current job. You can have a previous qualification like a degree and still start an apprenticeship.

As an apprentice you’ll:

• learn and train for a specific job
• get paid and receive holiday leave
• get hands-on experience in a real job
• be given the opportunity to improve your maths and English skills
• study for at least 20% of your working hours off-the-job
• complete assessments during and at the end of your apprenticeship
• be on a career path with lots of future potential

• Safe driving and/or operating techniques – to standard and as trained, relating to MHE (e.g. Counterbalance/Reach Trucks, Powered Pallet Trucks, Ride on Pallet Trucks, Order Pickers, Narrow Aisle Pickers, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, Forklift Trucks) as relevant to your role and setting; adherence to safe practice when working at heights.
• Steps to take to minimise the effect – your (and the wider industry) has on the environment; the need to maintain a high level of housekeeping and manage waste effectively; using packing materials efficiently to reduce waste and costs; the consequences of not using or disposing of these correctly.
• Safe use of equipment and machinery – where to find instructions/guidance; consequences of incorrect use.
• Use of warehouse systems and processes – relating to packaging, moving and receiving stock (eg Load Container Lists) within a warehouse environment to facilitate the safe handling of goods and an effective and efficient service to internal/external customers.
• Basic IT applications – and other relevant technology and systems, including warehousing management, data capture, radio and barcoding systems to ensure the safe and efficient processing of goods.
• Relevant regulation and legislation – (including international where relevant to role) governing the supply chain industry, your subsector and role in particular; consequences of not adhering to legal guidelines.
• Effective communication with customers – that store goods with the company/colleagues (including those working remotely, third party carriers, agencies and other organisations) in line with situation and organisational style/culture.
• Structure of the industry – methods and modes of transport; roles available within the sector in general and in relation to your own career aspirations.
• The importance of delivering excellent customer service – to customers and colleagues, including identifying needs and responding appropriately in line with situation and organisational style/culture.
• Vision, objectives and brand of the organisation – the importance of organisation reputation and what can affect it; how your own performance can contribute to organisational success and support or impact on others.
• Proposed and actual changes – to systems, processes and technology used in the industry, particularly relating to own role; how to keep up to date with any changes in the systems, processes and technology that affect your role.
• How the role can affect your health – and the need to maintain a level of fitness appropriate to the needs of the role.

The apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to develop the following skills.  These are transferable life-time skills for personal and career development.

• Operate and handle equipment safely and efficiently – as required for you role, such as Forklift Trucks, High Reach Trucks, Powered Pallet Trucks or Man Up Trucks; manoeuvre vehicles in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment such as mirror requirements.
• Comply with appropriate rules – regulations and processes for safely and efficiently moving, handling, packing and unpacking different items, both manually and using relevant equipment (such as MHE, vehicle and delivery systems); understand consequences of incorrect use.
• Work individually and as part of a team – to safely move and handle objects; maintain a high level of housekeeping and manage waste effectively; know where to find instructions or guidance; check for damaged or missing items as appropriate; take responsibility for maintaining health, safety and security of people at all times.
• Safely and efficiently load and unload – items into and from vehicles, buildings, containers, lift vans, crates and/or boxes; use appropriate MHE or machinery where necessary; ensure items are safely and efficiently packed, assembled and/or disassembled as appropriate.
• Select, prepare and use packaging materials – appropriate to the job efficiently and in a way which reduces waste, costs and environmental impact; taking into consideration the item(s) to be moved, and their current and final destinations.
• Use correct equipment and procedures – to record receiving or stowing goods; produce relevant paperwork or labelling processes.
• Promote the values of the organisation – communicate effectively with customers and colleagues to identify and meet their needs.
• Work effectively in a warehousing team – including when under pressure, and to agreed deadlines; adapt to change in line with internal and external customer needs or circumstances.
• Use IT applications and other relevant technology – and systems, including warehousing management, data capture, radio and barcoding systems, to ensure the safe and efficient processing of goods.

The warehouse operative apprenticeship is a frequently a gateway to a career on a trade counter, in  sales, procurement, logistics and management.  If you progress to any of these roles there is a ‘progression’ apprenticeship that will enable you to continue your further education.  An apprenticeship at level 3, such as team leading is the equivalent to A’ Level.