Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship

This is an entry-level apprenticeship which provides the foundation knowledge, skills & experience for the role of Supply Chain Operator within occupational areas in the Supply Chain industry. Supply Chain Operators are primarily responsible for managing the movement of goods for various customers across all sectors. As such, their customer base will range from large global organisations to sole traders and private customers in local areas, depending on their organisation.

Individuals in this role are highly competent in using industry-recognised systems and associated services within their industry sector. They can work under pressure to tight deadlines, with excellent time management skills. They are proactive and meet agreed commitments and expectations, taking responsibility for their actions and doing the right thing.

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 relevant to their role and setting. This could include mechanical racking systems, materials handling equipment (MHE) or forklift trucks.

Our Training Advisors will deliver high-quality face-to-face teaching and learning at the employer’s premises. They will provide all the resources your Apprentices will need to progress. Our intuitive learner management system, OneFile, will bring the subject to life through our online resources. We provide real-time learner information, so you will always know what is being taught and how learners progress.

The apprentice must receive off-the-job training for a minimum of 6 hours per week. The hours will be pro rata for part time learners. There are many activities that can be calculated towards the off-the-job training hours such as; Shadowing a colleague, Online Learning, Internal Training, Team Meetings and Appraisals/1-2-1 Visits.

Core knowledge – all Warehouse Operatives will have a good understanding of:

Safe driving and/or operating techniques to standard and as trained, relating to MHE (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.

Core skills – all Warehouse Operatives will be able to:

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.

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.

The End Point Assessment (EPA) will only commence once the Employer, Apprentice and Smart Training Advisor are confident that the apprentice has developed all the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined in the apprenticeship standard and that these are clearly evidenced through the progress review meetings and records. The independent end point assessment ensures that all Apprentices consistently achieve the industry set professional standard. The EPA can commence at any point once the apprentice is competent and after the twelve-month minimum period of learning and development. Prior to independent end point assessment the functional skills English and maths components of the apprenticeship must be successfully completed.

Knowledge and Behaviours Test

The knowledge test will cover the learning outcomes listed as ‘knowledge’

Practical Assessment

The practical assessment should cover the learning outcomes listed as ‘skills’ These are the higher-order skills taken from the wider Warehouse Operative standard. The
practical assessment will be observed by an independent assessor who will make a judgement on whether the apprentice is competent to carry out the practical aspects of their job role.