Apprentice Van Driver

WHISTL LIMITED

BEDFORD, (MK42 0PE)

Closes in 17 days (Monday 31 March at 11:59pm)

Posted on 25 February 2025


Summary

Join us as an Apprentice Van Driver. 30 hours a week minimum, Monday - Friday. Collecting post from our customers and delivering back to the depot. Providing customers of Whistl with first class customer service at all times. You could further develop your career by moving to HGV vehicles once passed.

Wage
£22,277 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

There will be a salary increase from April 1st

Training course
Express delivery operative (level 2)
Hours
Mon - Fri, 12 -7pm approx. Occasional Saturdays may be required. A flexible approach to hours would be preferable.

36 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 1 April

Duration

1 year

Positions available

8

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Collections

  • Collect daily route and special instructions
  • Ensure that you have any mail that requires returning to customers prepared for delivery that day
  • Ensure collections are done within the agreed window time.
  • Highlight any collections that are going to be late and the reason for the delay to the Van Fleet Team.
  • Replenish all trays collected one for one
  • Ensure that the Collection E Docket is completed accurately, correctly and that it is signed by the customer
  • Ensure that the trays are stacked within the van in an organised manner
  • Deliver all collected post to the Sortation Centre immediately once collections are  completed
  • To have a flexible approach to work in order to fit the fast paced changing working environment at Whistl.
     

Customer Service

  • Provide all customers of Whistl with an outstanding level of service at all times
  • Any queries or information gained from the customer at the point of the collection to be passed on to the Van Fleet Team to be actioned
  • Provide customers with support and information in the preparation of the mail
  • Maintain a professional manner whilst on site at collection points and at depot.

Vans

  • Keep your vehicle clean and tidy and at all times.
  • Always ensure that your vehicle is kept topped up with fuel and oil and is fully compliant according to company policy
  • Perform general vehicle maintenance and report and defects to the Transport Manager
  • Ensure that your vehicle is kept in a safe location, locked and with nothing valuable left in the vehicle over night

Key skills

  • Knowledge of the local area and road networks
  • Able to work to strict deadlines
  • Must be flexible and be able to work alone
  • Be able to communicate at all levels
     

Experience

  • Experience of working with the public
  • Previous experience of courier work would be an advantage but not essential

Essential

  • Must have no more than 3 points on driving licence

 

Where you’ll work

Whistl
G Park Bedford, Eastcotts Park,
Wallis Way,
BEDFORD,
MK42 0PE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TRS TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Express delivery operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Deliver goods to customer premises; load and unload goods in a safe way that ensures the safety and condition of the goods and correctly relates to the delivery schedule
  • Plan and track progress against a schedule, using equipment where required e.g. scheduling software, satellite navigation
  • Interpret delivery/ collection schedules; follow route instructions and company policies and instructions related to collections, deliveries, failed deliveries and returns 
  • Consistently meet customer expectations, respond to customer’s needs and identify ways to improve customer service 
  • Verify delivery or collection of goods. Use manual and ICT systems to confirm delivery and collection and to authorise or make payments for goods where required
  • Comply with the law and with contracts to provide express delivery, postal and courier services 
  • Work safely in accordance with employment law and traffic law. Where required, operate vehicles to DVSA standards to ensure safety of others and a green environmental impact, minimising fuel use, noise and congestion.
  • Operate equipment provided to move, collect and deliver goods and when required use any systems and ancillary equipment in compliance with company instructions
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements relating to express
  • Delivery services and where required, with a contract from a client company
  • Uses diet, exercise and fitness techniques appropriate to job role
  • Where required to carry out basic installation of goods, use correct manual handling techniques and use correct tools and equipment in compliance with manufacturers installation instructions
  • Work in a way that minimises business costs while meeting customer requirements
  • Comply with rules and regulations relating to the movement and handling of items, handling goods correctly using lifting and other equipment where appropriate
  • Apply safeguarding policy whenever deliveries involve young persons or vulnerable adults
  • Maintain the health, safety and security of self, colleagues and customers during deliveries
  • Carry out appropriate daily equipment or vehicle checks and rectify or report faults
  • Apply dynamic risk assessment principles to plan and respond to changing circumstances e.g. footpath closures, road diversions, incidents and accidents

Your training plan

Training will be given on the job and by one to one coaching on Teams. 

More training information

  • L2 Express delivery operative Apprenticeship Standard

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

This role involves carrying trays of mail.

About this company

We are a delivery management company providing efficient, high-quality and competitively priced services across Business Mail, Parcels, Fulfilment and Doordrop Media in the UK and internationally. Distributing more than 4 billion items annually, we are market leaders in mail services handling over 50% of business mail in UK. Our mail expertise supports our continued growth in parcel delivery and ecommerce markets, combined with our unique advertising portfolio across Doordrop Media.

http://whistl.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension scheme Health cash plan Employee assistance programme Staff discounts scheme

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Could progress to HGV Driver or Transport office roles

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WHISTL LIMITED

Louise Oneil

louise.oneil@whistl.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000305730.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Monday 31 March at 11:59pm)

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