Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (Level 2)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for any eligible candidates, who wish to earn a wage while developing their skills and knowledge needed to be able to pursue a career in the warehouse and distribution sector.

This apprenticeship has been designed to provide you with the skills to solve problems, understand processes and kick-start a career in a sector which is advancing at a rapid pace. A Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Apprenticeship is just the starting point to a career in logistics; whether that be from apprentice to warehouse management, to becoming a company director. Alternatively, logistics can take you across the UK, Europe and even worldwide.

Warehouse Operatives work in a variety of warehouse environments. Work activities include taking deliveries, checking for damaged/missing items, storing goods, moving stock by various methods, picking/packing orders, loading goods for dispatch, maintaining stock records and documentation, and cleaning. They are required to safely use a range of equipment, machinery and vehicles, as relevant to their role and setting. This could include mechanical racking systems, materials handling equipment (MHE) or forklift trucks.

Warehouse Operatives communicate with a wide range of people and customers. They have a passion to meet customers’ expectations by providing a quality service that encourages repeat business. Individuals in this role are highly competent in using industry-recognised systems and associated services (eg Traffic/Warehouse Management Systems) and will be able to work under pressure to tight deadlines. A Warehouse Operative will often be required to be flexible and work shifts including 4-on-4-off, days, nights, evenings and weekends.

Outlined below are the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that all Warehouse Operatives are required to demonstrate at level 2, regardless of their occupational area.

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning.

Candidates will have achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade 3-2 (D-E) or equivalent in English and Maths. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 1 and Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, for a minimum of 30 hours, in a role that suits the skills requirements of this apprenticeship.

New applicants will be contacted by a vocational delivery tutor to determine suitability/eligibility prior, give information and advice on the next steps.

Shortlisted applicants will be sent to the employer, to then follow their recruitment procedure. Unsuitable applicants will be sign-posted to other areas of our service to develop transferable/employability skills, with a view to ensuring they are suitable for other apprenticeship positions in the future.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area.

The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment.

The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs, arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The Supply Chain Warehouse Operative L2 Apprenticeship will develop the core knowledge and understanding of:

Safe driving and/or operating techniques to standard and as trained, relating to Manual Handling Equipment (e.g. Counterbalance/Reach Trucks, Powered Pallet Trucks, Ride on Pallet Trucks, Order Pickers, Narrow Aisle Pickers, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, Forklift Trucks) as relevant to their role and setting; adherence to safe practice when working at heights.
Steps to take to minimise the effect their work (and the wider industry) has on the environment; the need to maintain a high level of housekeeping and manage waste effectively; using packing materials efficiently to reduce waste and costs; the consequences of not using or disposing of these correctly.
Safe use of equipment and machinery (such as MHE, vehicle and delivery systems); where to find instructions/guidance; consequences of incorrect use.
Use of warehouse systems and processes relating to packaging, moving and receiving stock (eg Load Container Lists) within a warehouse environment to facilitate the safe handling of goods and an effective and efficient service to internal/external customers.
Basic IT applications and other relevant technology and systems, including warehousing management, data capture, radio and barcoding systems to ensure the safe and efficient processing of goods.
Relevant regulation and legislation (including international where relevant to role) governing the supply chain industry, their subsector and role in particular; consequences of not adhering to legal guidelines.
Effective communication with customers that store goods with the company/colleagues (including those working remotely, third party carriers, agencies and other organisations) in line with situation and organisational style/culture.
Structure of the industry; methods and modes of transport; roles available within the sector in general and in relation to their own career aspirations.
The importance of delivering excellent customer service to customers and colleagues, including identifying needs and responding appropriately in line with situation and organisational style/culture.
Vision, objectives and brand of the organisation; the importance of organisation reputation and what can affect it; how their own performance can contribute to organisational success and support or impact on others.
Proposed and actual changes to systems, processes and technology used in the industry, particularly relating to own role; how to keep up to date with any changes in the systems, processes and technology that affect their role.
How their role can affect their health and the need to maintain a level of fitness appropriate to the needs of their role.

Develop the core skills in:

Operate and handle equipment safely and efficiently as required for their role, such as Forklift Trucks, High Reach Trucks, Powered Pallet Trucks or Man Up Trucks; manoeuvre vehicles in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment such as mirror requirements.
Comply with appropriate rules, regulations and processes for safely and efficiently moving, handling, packing and unpacking different items, both manually and using relevant equipment (such as MHE, vehicle and delivery systems); understand consequences of incorrect use.
Work individually and as part of a team to safely move and handle objects; maintain a high level of housekeeping and manage waste effectively; know where to find instructions or guidance; check for damaged or missing items as appropriate; take responsibility for maintaining health, safety and security of people at all times.
Safely and efficiently load and unload items into and from vehicles, buildings, containers, lift vans, crates and/or boxes; use appropriate MHE or machinery where necessary; ensure items are safely and efficiently packed, assembled and/or disassembled as appropriate.
Select, prepare and use packaging materials appropriate to the job efficiently and in a way which reduces waste, costs and environmental impact; taking into consideration the item(s) to be moved, and their current and final destinations.
Use correct equipment and procedures to record receiving or stowing goods; produce relevant paperwork or labelling processes.
promote the values of the organisation; communicate effectively with customers and colleagues to identify and meet their needs.
Work effectively in a warehousing team, including when under pressure, and to agreed deadlines; adapt to change in line with internal and external customer needs or circumstances.
Use IT applications and other relevant technology and systems, including warehousing management, data capture, radio and barcoding systems, to ensure the safe and efficient processing of goods.

Develop the behaviours in:

Demonstrate integrity, credibility, honesty, positivity and personal drive in every aspect of their role; demonstrate a belief in the services that the organisation offers.
Take ownership for own performance and training, including demonstrating a keen interest in the industry; proactively drive own ongoing learning and development, and make recommendations for improvement where relevant.
Show personal commitment to minimising the effect of work activities on the environment.
Adapt to and embrace the use of relevant technology, systems and equipment; use it responsibly and take an interest in new developments that could support the organisation.

On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.

End Point Assessment

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

Proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 2+ (E+) or equivalent level 1 qualification
Completion of all learner outcomes
Signed agreement, from apprentice, employer and trainer, that the apprentice is ready for the End Point Assessment

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Workplace observation: A 60-minute pre-planned observation, in your normal place of work and independently assessed
Online knowledge test: At least 2 scenario-based short answer questions lasting 60 minutes

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship provides an ideal entry into the occupation and supports progression within the sector as a warehouse operative. You may gain employment with your employer and / or decide to complete Transport and Warehouse Operations Supervisor level 3 Apprenticeship

You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to attend the training centre (Coleridge Centre) once a month to work towards the mandatory elements of the standard via the e-portfolio. The remaining days will be spent working with your employer gaining the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in preparation for End Point Assessment (EPA). Functional Skills English and maths are embedded into your training programme.

Please note, training can also take place via Teams.

This on-programme taught element will typically take 12 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us