Warehousing operatives work behind the scenes but still provide an important service to customers by making sure all goods are received, stored and dispatched correctly. Many businesses operating in different sectors will have a central distribution centre – retail, food, household products, and mechanical parts are just a few examples.

Typical duties for a warehousing role include; picking and labeling goods, packing orders and boxes, organising incoming goods, using mechanical machinery and monitoring stock levels.

Working in this type of environment can be dangerous so you must be given full health and safety training and will need to make sure you follow your employer’s health and safety rules. Those working in warehousing are often required to work shifts from early evening to late at night and during weekends.

What type of person is suited to this role?

People working in warehousing need to:

• Be physically fit
• Be prepared to work shifts
• Be interested in a hands-on role

What about career progression and salaries?

Your pay and benefits will depend on experience and the kind of employer you work for but as a guide:

• Warehouse operatives can expect to earn £12,000 per year
• A warehouse supervisor can earn around £22,000 with experience
• Experienced warehouse managers can earn up to £34,000 per year

Warehousing and Storage

This qualification is excellent for supporting and progressing individuals involved in this environment. It is valuable for those seeking a career within this industry; those for whom distribution and warehousing is the primary activity, and those who wish to receive accredited recognition for experience already gained.

For this qualification two mandatory units must be completed:

• Unit 1 – Maintain health, safety and security in logistics operations
• Unit 2 – Develop effective, working relationships with colleagues in logistic operations.

Along with six units selected from the following themes:

• Operate equipment
• Receive, store and move goods
• Maintain safety and quality of goods
• Process orders
• Audit stock level

For a full list and downloadable fact sheet please click below for the relevant Level

Level 2 Certificate in Warehousing and Storage

Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations