You could do an express delivery operative intermediate apprenticeship, if you want to work as a delivery driver.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Postman or postwoman
Alternative titles for this job include Postal delivery worker
Postmen and postwomen sort letters and packages for delivery to homes and businesses.
Average salary (a year)
£13,500 Starter
to£25,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41 to 43 a week
You could work
early mornings
How to become a postman or postwoman
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
Work
Royal Mail often recruits temporary staff for the Christmas period from September each year. This can be a useful way for you to get some experience and apply for permanent jobs as they come up.
Direct application
You can apply directly for delivery work. You don't need any specific qualifications, but your interview will usually include aptitude tests. These are to check that you can read addresses correctly and recognise misaddressed mail.
More information
Further information
You can get more on careers and training in postal work from Royal Mail.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work on your own
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full UK driving licence to work as a delivery driver
- be physically fit, as delivery rounds (walks) can take 3 to 4 hours - and you'll be carrying bags that can weigh up to 16kg
You'll usually need your own transport to get to and from work, as you may not be able to get public transport to suit your shift times.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- sorting mail on a sorting frame, getting it into address order
- operating automated equipment
- delivering mail on foot, by a bicycle or by van
- getting customer signatures for registered post and recorded deliveries
- picking up mail from post boxes, post offices and businesses
- dealing with wrongly addressed or returned mail
- moving mail to and from processing centres, delivery offices, railway stations and airports
Working environment
You could work from a vehicle or on the road.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could be promoted to higher grades like supervisor and manager. You could move into parcel deliveries, courier jobs or customer care and administration.
Current opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a postman or postwoman right now.
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