Van Delivery Assistant

Introduction

Van delivery assistants travel with van drivers and help them to load and unload goods from the van. Before the journey, they help to secure goods to avoid them getting damaged. During the journey, they help the driver find the correct delivery address by map reading or using global positioning system (GPS) software.

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Work Activities

Van delivery assistants take goods to customers' homes or work places. They assist the van driver and help to load and unload goods.

Van delivery assistants help to stack the goods and arrange them in order of delivery. They secure the load to prevent movement and damage during the journey, and share responsibility for their safe delivery.

When the goods are unloaded, delivery assistants help to carry the merchandise into the customers' homes or business premises. Some delivery assistants may collect money and take orders from customers. They may also have to get POD (point of delivery) signatures from customers.

They guide the van driver when reversing and parking, and assist the driver in route finding. They use maps or global positioning (GPS) software to locate the exact address they are going to.

They may help to clean the vehicle and assist with repairing punctures and dealing with breakdowns.

Some delivery assistants only travel within a local area, while others travel long distances throughout the country and may spend periods away from home.

They may spend long periods sitting in the van, but then need energy and stamina to load and unload the contents, which might involve heavy lifting.

Some delivery assistants have to wear a uniform.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

This is a physically demanding job so you will need to be fit, with the necessary strength, agility and stamina for loading and unloading. You must be reliable, trustworthy and co-operative and should be able to follow directions.

A polite and courteous approach to the customer is necessary and you should be able to communicate well. You will need the ability to think on your feet and be polite when dealing with complaints if, for example, the goods you deliver are faulty or damaged.

A knowledge of the local area and the ability to read maps or use global positioning system (GPS) software to plan the best route are all useful.

It can be helpful to have a driving licence. It is also useful to have some practical skills and the ability to do minor repairs to the van in the event of a breakdown.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Pay rates for van delivery assistants are in the range of £220 - £260 a week.

Van delivery assistants usually work a basic 40-hour week. However, they may be required to work irregular hours, with early starts, late finishes and weekend work. Part-time or casual work may be available. Longer hours are worked at busy times, for example, at Christmas.

Opportunities are decreasing as most employers recruit drivers to work in pairs where required. Employers throughout the UK include parcel distribution companies, manufacturers, wholesalers and government departments.

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Adult Opportunities

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, for example, as a warehouse assistant or furniture remover, can be an advantage.

• 12% of van delivery assistants work part-time.
• 2% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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