Warehouse operative

Warehouse operatives help with the loading and unloading of goods vehicles. They check goods coming in and going out to make sure nothing is missing or damaged.

Also known as

• Store/warehouse assistant

Work activities

Warehouse operatives receive, store, and send out goods from a warehouse. The goods can be anything from raw materials to machinery, depending on the type of warehouse. The operatives check all goods coming in and going out, to make sure that there are no items missing or damaged. When they are happy that the goods are complete, they sign a delivery form. They also help load and unload the goods to and from the vehicle, either by hand or using mechanical handling equipment, such as a forklift truck.

Warehouse operatives decide where goods should be stored within the warehouse. They keep records of items stored and check the level of stocks, re-ordering if necessary. When an order is received, warehouse operatives pick out the goods that have been ordered. They work from an order sheet and prepare and pack the goods for delivery to a customer. In some warehouses, an order picker may pick the goods that have been ordered. In a small firm, a warehouse operative may be involved with many tasks. However, in a larger warehouse, they may specialise in one or two areas of work.

All warehouse workers need a knowledge and awareness of health and safety, fire prevention, use of emergency equipment and security. Loading and unloading lorries can be cold, wet work. Some workers wear protective clothing and all workers should wear safety shoes.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

• To be neat and tidy in your work.
• Good people skills.
• To have some knowledge of health and safety issues in the workplace.
• Some IT skills.
• To be physically fit, and able to cope with ladders, stretching, bending, and carrying weights.

If a warehouse uses a colour-coded storage system, you will need normal colour vision.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates vary from company to company. The pay rates given are approximate. Warehouse operatives start on around £16,000 per year, rising to £24,000 with experience.

Warehouse operatives usually work a 35-40 hour week, which may include shift work, evening, and weekend work. Overtime, part-time work and temporary work is common.

Demand for warehouse operatives is steady.

Employment throughout the UK is with major retail companies, warehousing and distribution firms, central and local government departments, the health service and the armed forces. Opportunities for warehouse operatives occur in warehouses in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Apprenticeships can be found on the Find an Apprenticeship website.

Entry routes and training

There are no set entry routes into this career. You won’t usually need any qualifications to become a warehouse operative. An intermediate apprenticeship as a supply chain warehouse operative is a great place to start.

Training is on-the-job. Some people are trained on-the-job by more experienced warehouse operatives. Induction training may include techniques of lifting. Courses in forklift truck driving may be provided by employers.

Promotion can be to senior roles with supervisory responsibilities. Some warehouse managers start as operatives before making progress within the industry.

Qualifications

No educational qualifications are usually required, but basic English, maths and IT skills are useful.

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need to be 16 with GCSEs in English and maths. You may be able to gain these qualifications while on the programme if you don’t already have them.

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 is an advantage. Basic computer skills are useful.

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