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Warehouse worker

Alternative titles for this job include Warehouse operative, warehouse picker

Warehouse workers take delivery of goods and pack orders for dispatch.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a warehouse worker

You can get into this job through and apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Apprenticeship

Depending on where you work, you could do a:

  • supply chain warehouse operative intermediate apprenticeship
  • express delivery sortation hub operative intermediate apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to be a warehouse worker.

You might not need qualifications, but some employers may want you to have GCSEs at grade 4 (C) in English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. You might also need basic IT skills.

More Information

Career tips

It may help when looking for work if you've done forklift training.

Further information

Warehouse worker jobs can often by temporary or available seasonally. 

You can find out more about careers and training in warehouse work from The Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport and Generation Logistics.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have forklift truck driver training for some jobs

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • take in deliveries and check for damaged or missing items
  • use lifting equipment to move stock around the warehouse
  • check stock levels and make sure items are stored correctly
  • pack, wrap and load items to be dispatched
  • clean the warehouse

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse.

Your working environment may be at height, physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team leader, shift supervisor or warehouse manager.

You could also move into quality control, freight planning or distribution.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Warehouse Operative Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: PHOENIX PARK, STATION ROAD, ROWLEY REGIS

Operative Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,355.20 Annually
  • Location: Yeoman Wharf,, Great Yarmouth
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Principles in Warehouse and Storage

  • Provider: WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 18 December 2023
  • Location: WESTON SUPER MARE

Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Warehousing

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
  • Start date: 02 January 2024
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

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