This occupation is found in the removals industry. This industry covers different types of removals including household, international, commercial and government buildings and provides warehouse storage for customers. Apprentices may work in various locations and surroundings when carrying out removals. Examples are residential houses, offices, schools, factories, shops, libraries, museums, and hospitals. Removal companies vary in size providing national and international coverage and may have several sites they work from. All locations are different, and no two moves are the same.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to pack items into boxes or crates and move the packed items, furniture, equipment, specialist items and any other customer possessions. They will assist with the loading and unloading of items onto and off specially built removals vehicles. For removals going to mainland Europe, overseas or via store, they will need to fill out inventory forms, condition reports and check the items into and out of a secure storage location. Removal operatives will use a range of computerised or manual operating systems. These are used to manage the daily tasks, process customer orders, produce job sheet instructions and record customers possessions for storage. There will be additional requirements to identify, note and where required photograph the pre-transit condition of items. The removals industry has a large variation in its customer base and works to time constraints or delays which could lead to working flexible and unsociable hours to respond to these demands.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers, the public, operational supervisors, warehouse supervisors, team leaders, drivers, administrators, and sales colleagues. They will be supervised by a team leader, warehouse supervisor or operations supervisor.
The removals operative is a good communicator and will be able to keep customers and colleagues informed throughout tasks, they are confident of working alone when required and within a team. A focus on an excellent customer experience is important, therefore the removals operatives must be mindful and sensitive to each task they attend and taking into consideration the diversity of the customer base in the removals industry, the operative must always conduct themselves in a professional manner.
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Duty 1 Plan work in line with initial instructions, adapt work due to changing circumstances. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K21 K24 K25 |
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Duty 2 Report external factors which may occur, preventing the delay or completion of planned work. |
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Duty 3 Carry out risk assessment following arrival at collection or delivery address. |
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Duty 4 Select sustainable resources and packing materials appropriate to the job in a way that reduces risk of damage, waste, costs, and environment impact. |
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Duty 5 Follow appropriate processes for moving, handling, packing and unpacking items and making preparations for transportation. |
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Duty 6 Load, unload and stow items into and from vehicles, containers, crates and lift crates and boxes safely and efficiently. |
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Duty 7 Use equipment and machinery safely, following instructions, company guidelines and legislative rules and regulations including wearing and using associated personal protective equipment (PPE). |
K2 K3 K6 K8 K9 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 |
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Duty 8 Direct the movement of vehicles and forklifts safely. |
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Duty 9 Dismantle and reassemble furniture safely and efficiently, using appropriate tools and resources. |
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Duty 10 Prepare and process relevant documentation, inventories, and records of information. |
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Duty 11 Identify and record pre-existing damage to furniture and effects, buildings, and floors. |
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Duty 12 Understand the needs of the customers, for example: elderly, disabled, parents, young or vulnerable people including pets, along with cultural and religious needs. |
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Duty 13 Maintain required quality standards of company equipment and cleanliness of vehicles and warehouse. |
K1: The removals industry for example, types of services and types of employers.
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K2: Health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Manual handling. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height.
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K3: Industry specific regulations and legislation relating to the moving and handling of items to include inland domestic moving, commercial moving, overseas moving, storage, working time directives and working hours.
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K4: Hazards and risks in the workplace. Control measures. Risk assessments.
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K5: Work organisation and time management techniques.
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K6: Methods and modes of transport and auxiliary equipment available within the industry.
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K7: Factors that affect the completion of planned work for example, additional volumes to be moved, unforeseen delays and weather conditions.
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K8: Standard operating procedures (SOP). What they are and why they are important.
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K9: Team working principles.
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K10: Personal wellbeing and mental health awareness.
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K11: Environmental and sustainability regulations including The Environment Act 2021 and the impact of the industry on the environment.
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K12: Types of packing materials and their uses. Costing of different packing materials.
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K13: Techniques for moving, handling, packing, loading, securing, and unloading hazardous goods or materials, for example petrol lawn mowers and car batteries.
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K14: Techniques to load and unload goods. Including security of vehicle and goods during tasks.
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K15: Manual handling techniques and types of equipment: lifting equipment, vehicle ramps and platforms pallet trucks, piano wheels and sack barrows and their limitations.
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K16: Techniques including hand signalling required to direct the movement of vehicles and manual handling equipment (MHE). The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations.
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K17: Principles of using tools, and machinery including wearing and using of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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K18: Industry procedures and quality standards. Keeping work area tidy.
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K19: Techniques of dismantling and reassembling items: beds and tables.
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K20: Documentation methods and requirements – electronic and paper: Condition reports, inventory labelling for removal activities.
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K21: Information systems used to support removals activities. GDPR and cyber security.
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K22: Written communication techniques.
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K23: Verbal communication techniques.
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K24: Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work for example those customers with illnesses, children, and pets.
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K25: Limits of own authority and escalation procedures for example: reporting inappropriate behaviour.
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S1: Follow procedures in line with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
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S2: Comply with Industry specific regulations and legislation relating to the moving and handling of items for example, inland domestic moving, commercial moving, overseas moving, and storage.
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S3: Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Complete risk assessments. Apply control measures to manage risk.
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S4: Organise and prioritise own work in line with permitted time allowances.
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S5: Apply standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.
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S6: Apply team working principles.
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S7: Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
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S8: Select packing materials appropriate to the individual task.
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S9: Follow processes for moving, handling, packing and unpacking items.
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S10: Load or unload identified goods.
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S11: Use manual handling techniques and equipment, for example, lifting equipment, vehicle ramps or platforms.
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S12: Direct the movement of vehicles or mechanical handling equipment (MHE).
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S13: Use tools, machinery, and personal protective equipment (PPE) following manufacturers instructions.
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S14: Follow company procedures and quality standards, for example housekeeping, clean equipment and machinery, and keep work area tidy.
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S15: Dismantle and reassemble items using tools and equipment in line with company policy.
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S16: Record or enter task information - paper based or electronic.
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S17: Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
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S18: Communicate in writing with others for example, clients, colleagues, and managers.
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S19: Communicate with others verbally for example, clients, colleagues, and managers.
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S20: Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
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S21: Carry out and record learning and development activities.
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B1: Put health and safety first.
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B2: Considers the environment and sustainability.
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B3: Support an inclusive workplace for example, respectful of different views.
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B4: Team-focus to meet work goals.
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B5: Act in a professional manner.
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B6: Seek learning and development opportunities.
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B7: Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
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English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
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| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 19/07/2024 | Not set |
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