Overview
Packers work in factories and warehouses, putting products into containers like boxes and crates for delivery. Order pickers select all the things on a customer’s order and send them to be packed and dispatched.
Activities
- inspect goods to see that they are not damaged or broken
- wrap and pad goods for safe transit
- seal packaging using tape, glue, staples or shrink-wrap
- weigh and label packaged goods
- load packages onto a conveyor or pallets
- clean work areas
- pick items from stock to match the customer’s order sheet
- check product quality
- choose suitable replacements where stock has sold out
Organisation
Packers and pickers work in various places across The Black Country such as in Factories, Warehouses, Storage companies, Delivery companies and large shops and supermarkets.
Workplace
Packers and pickers mainly work indoors and in factories and warehouses which are often noisy and busy places.
Working Hours
Packers and Pickers usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week. This could be shifts and include days, nights and weekends.
Salary
Starting salary is around £12,000.
Qualifications
There are no set qualifications to work as a packer or picker. You may have to take an assessment to check your practical skills before being offered a job. Some employers may ask for GCSE’s others may be more flexible it will depend on which industry you are working within.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the Dfe exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.