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Why have Royal Mail introduced the apprenticeship scheme?
Royal Mail have introduced the scheme to attract young people into our business, to give young people the opportunity to learn and develop and to attract and recruit high-calibre postmen and postwomen, potentially the Royal Mail managers of the future.
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How old do I have to be to apply for an apprentice position?
There is no age restriction to applying for an apprentice position. The scheme is open to all ages.
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I have a disability, can I apply?
Yes. Royal Mail uses the “positive about disabled people” logo on all of its recruitment materials.
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What qualifications do I need to get onto the apprenticeship scheme?
No specific qualifications are required.
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What benefits will I receive from Royal Mail as an apprentice?
Standard benefits offered by the business to all front line employees, plus the learning and development aspects of the apprenticeship scheme i.e. NVQ study, key skills training, on-the-job learning and support of an NVQ assessor and mentor.
Potential career progression into other roles after successfully completing the programme.
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What qualifications will I obtain, and how long will this take?
NVQ Level 2 in Mails Services, which will be completed when you complete the apprentice programme (i.e. 18 months)
A qualified NVQ assessor will work with you and your manager to ensure you get the development you need to meet the standards of the NVQ.
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What is an NVQ and what is the equivalent grade i.e. GSE, A level?
NVQ level 2 is equivalent to GCSE level qualifications.
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What is the benefit of doing an NVQ?
An NVQ is a nationally recognised qualification that you can complete while working.
There are no exams to sit and you will be supported by an NVQ assessor. The assessor will help ensure that you produce your portfolio of evidence, and meet the standards required of the NVQ.
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What is Postal Operations?
Postal Operations has recently been renamed Mails Services; it is an NVQ which covers the processing, delivery and distribution of mail, such as letters, packets and parcels.
It also includes customer services topics, because as a delivery postman or postwoman you will be spending your time dealing directly with the general public.
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Is the Mails Services NVQ only applicable for Royal Mail?
No. The NVQ has been developed by the Sector Skills Council for the Logistics and Distribution industry, and therefore covers all businesses operation in that industry, not just Royal Mail.
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Is the Mails Services NVQ the only NVQ that I can do?
Yes – an NVQ is a vocational qualification, and therefore because the job of a postman/postwoman is processing and delivering mail, it is the only NVQ that the business will offer to people in that line of work.
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If I achieve the Mails Services NVQ can I progress onto a Management NVQ?
Yes – the qualification can be used to “move up” to higher level NVQ’s at a later date. Royal Mail is keen to recruit apprentices who want to progress their career and become managers of the future, and therefore will provide training and support to help people achieve this. However do remember that you will need to demonstrate commitment to your own learning and to completing the programme, and will also need to fit with the requirements of the business.
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Will I be offered a management position if I achieve everything on the programme?
In line with everyone else in Royal Mail, you will have the opportunity to apply for internal promotions and transfers once you successfully complete the programme, but we cannot guarantee the offer of a management position. It will depend on you, to a large extent, to decide how you want your career to develop, as well as the needs of the business.
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Will my progress on the scheme be monitored?
Yes. An NVQ assessor will be assigned to you to monitor your progress in terms of completing the NVQ, but your line manager will also monitor your progress.
We expect apprentices to keep learning logs and development plans, so that you can identify your strengths and the areas you need to develop more. All apprentices will also be expected to work a trial period, and meet the standards that the business requires for conduct, attendance, work rates etc.
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Will I receive training?
Yes – the programme is 18 months in duration and includes a combination of classroom based, computer based, and self-directed training and learning, project work and community projects. The training will include an induction to our business, on-the-job training on how mail is sorted and delivered effectively, plus study towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification in Mails Services. Finally, the programme also includes key skills training covering literacy, numeracy and IT.
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Is there a training schedule?
Yes – most of the 18 month programme will be planned in advance so that you know what you will be learning at all points throughout.
Your work experience will be split between delivery work (based at one of our delivery offices), and processing work (based at one of our larger mail centres/sorting offices) so you will be expected to change work locations within your area while on the programme – hence a degree of flexibility around travel and location of work will be required.
You will, however, have a nominated “base” office during your time on the programme.
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What training will I receive for lifting mailbags?
During your induction to the business, you will receive health and safety training. This will cover safe lifting and handling of mailbags and other containers, plus the safe operation of automated equipment.
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Will I have a mentor or a buddy?
Yes. You will be allocated a mentor who you can contact for additional support and guidance any time during the apprenticeship. Wherever possible, we will also “buddy up” new apprentices with another apprentice from a previous intake so you can also get to speak to someone who has gone through the programme already.
You’ll also be meeting up regularly with the other apprentices that started at the same time as you, so you can use each other for support and advice if needed too.
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What are the working hours?
The working hours will vary, dependent on which part of the operation you will be working in.
If you are working in processing, in one of the large mail centres, then these are a 24 hour operation and work on a three shift system – early shift (6am to 2pm), late shift (2pm to 10pm), and night shift (10pm to 6am).
If working in a delivery office then the working hours will be approx 5.30am to 1pm. Please note that the working time regulations prohibit people under the age of 18 working between midnight and 4am, so 16 and 17 year olds would not be asked to cover night shifts.
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Will I be issued with a uniform?
Yes.
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Will I have to travel?
When you start with Royal Mail as an apprentice you will be given a nominated “home” office, which will be your main base during your 18 month apprenticeship.
However, a degree of flexibility will be required as you will also spend approximately 6 months working in another part of the operation, to gain additional experience.
For example, if you are based in a delivery office in one town you may then work in a mail centre for a few months (which tend to be located in larger towns and cities). You will need to ensure that you can get to and from work during early mornings and late nights, possibly when public transport is not running.
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Will I get travel expenses?
If you are required to travel to work somewhere other than your usual work location (bearing in mind this will change during the programme as described above), yes, you will have any journey costs reimbursed.
You won’t receive travel expenses to get to and from your usual place of work though.
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How long will it take to complete the scheme?
18 months, although it may be possible to complete the NVQ aspect of the programme quicker.
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Do you get any pay rises when on the scheme or on the day of completion?
No. When you complete the programme you will be offered a permanent job as a postman or postwoman, although it is Royal Mail’s hope that apprentices can further develop their skills and become the managers of the future.
There will be opportunities for additional management training and the chance to become an acting manager for apprentices who show potential to progress further in Royal Mail.
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What will happen if I decide that I no longer wish to be on the scheme?
If offered a place on Royal Mail’s apprentice programme you will be signing a contract to agree to the terms and conditions of the apprentice programme.
If you decide that you want to carry on working for Royal Mail but drop out of the apprentice programme, this will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on your work record so far, and also whether there are any suitable jobs to place you into. Wherever possible we would encourage apprentices to stay on the programme, as it is to your long-term benefit to complete the scheme.
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