Van delivery assistant

Van delivery assistants help van drivers to load and unload goods. Before the journey, they help to secure goods to avoid them getting damaged.

Work activities

Van delivery assistants help van drivers to take goods to customers’ homes or places of work. They help to stack the goods and arrange them in order of delivery. They also secure the load to prevent movement and damage during the journey.

When the goods are unloaded, the delivery assistant helps to carry them into the customers’ homes or business premises.

Some delivery assistants also collect money and take orders from customers.

Some delivery assistants only travel within a local area, while others travel long distances throughout the country and spend short periods away from home.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

• To be fit, with the necessary strength and stamina for loading and unloading.
• To be reliable, trustworthy, and co-operative.
• Customer service skills.

You may have to use a satellite navigation system (sat nav), so should feel comfortable operating one.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Pay data is not available online. However, van delivery assistants can expect to earn the minimum wage or just above.

Van delivery assistants can expect to work up to 42 hours a week, similar weekly hours to a delivery van driver. They may also be required to work irregular hours, with early starts, late finishes, and weekend work.

Part-time/casual work may be available. Longer hours are worked at busy times, for example, at Christmas.

Demand for van delivery assistants is falling, as most employers expect van drivers to carry out the tasks which were once done by delivery assistants.

Employers throughout the UK include parcel distribution companies, manufacturers, wholesalers, and government departments.

Opportunities for van delivery assistants occur with operators in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You won’t need any qualifications to get into this job.

Training is on-the-job with an experienced driver. There are various health and safety courses for specific skills such as safe lifting.

Assistants can become van drivers if they hold the relevant driving licence.

Qualifications

No qualifications are usually required but basic English and maths skills can be useful.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education, or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Previous practical work experience using your hands, for example, as a warehouse assistant or furniture remover, can be an advantage.

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