Job market information
Finding out about the postal service industry
The postal service industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: air freight; road haulage; storage and warehousing; wholesaling; freight forwarding; and couriers. Logistics is the movement and supply of all goods (or freight) from raw materials, through all stages of the manufacturing process to the delivery of the finished product to companies and consumers. This is known as the ‘supply chain.’ Nearly 2,320,000 people work in the logistics sector, which accounts to 8% of the UK workforce. It has been estimated that the logistics sector is worth £86.54 billion to the UK economy.
The postal service industry includes the transport and delivery of letters and parcels. It is the second largest industry within the logistics sector. The Royal Mail, as the largest employer within the postal service industry collects, processes, and delivers around 84 million items to 27 million addresses. Additionally, it serves 28 million customers through its network of some 14,300 Post Offices.
Key facts:
- There are 232,500 people working in the postal service industry, which equates to 14% of the logistics workforce in the UK.
- Of these 232,500 people, almost 193,000 work for the Royal Mail Group, which is almost 1% of the working population.
- Postal service has 4,800 workplaces across the UK.
- The workforce has an older age profile compared to other industries in the sector.
- The industry appears to provide the greatest opportunity of part‐time working.
- There are limited opportunities for self‐employment.
Jobs in the industry range from: mail sorter, postal delivery worker, delivery van drivers, fork lift truck operatives, couriers, LGV drivers.
Entry and progression
There are no formal entry requirements for postal delivery workers, but candidates normally need to be at least 18 years of age. There are no qualifications required to become a postal worker, but employers tend to look for good English and maths skills. Candidates normally have to be over 17, although some employers may prefer candidates to be over 21 years and 25 years for van drivers, as insurance premiums are cheaper. A basic knowledge of vehicle maintenance could be an advantage, and foreign language skills could be useful if your job involves overseas deliveries.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses and foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry. LGV and Van drivers require the relevant licences.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
232,500 |
| Number of UK employers: |
4,800 |
| Gender: |
75% male |
25% female (in England) |
| Age (national postal activities): |
8% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 47% 25‐44 years |
| 45% is 45 years and over |
| 13% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background in England |
| 4% of workers in England are self-employed in the industry 18% of the industry employees in England work part‐time |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Working Futures III projects that 843,600 additional workers will be required to work in the logistics sector by 2017. Considerable demand will be seen for managers (169,200), customer service positions (132,100) as well as for transport and machine operatives (107,600).
Royal Mail is one of the UK’s biggest employers. At times there can be more applicants than vacancies, but staff turnover means that Royal Mail is always recruiting. There are opportunities throughout the country.
Skill requirements and shortages
Skills shortages within the postal service industry, includes: IT skills; knowledge of health and safety procedures; numeracy skills; customer care skills; and team working skills.
Occupational trends
There are no data on occupational trends by industry.
For the logistics sector as a whole, all occupational groups are anticipated to have an increase in the total requirements, including:
- 20% (150,000) in managerial or senior official positions
- 16% (117,000) in sales and customer services roles
- over 54,000 in skilled trades occupations, this replacement demand is due to the ageing workforce – 51% are over the age of 45 years
Logistics sector occupational distribution
| Other goods handling and storage occupations (i.e. Warehouse operatives) |
378,100 |
|---|
| Large (heavy) goods vehicle drivers |
312,900 |
|---|
| Post workers, mail sorter, messenger or couriers |
200,800 |
|---|
| Van drivers |
202,200 |
|---|
| Transport and distribution managers |
85,200 |
|---|
| Storage and warehouse managers |
75,100 |
|---|
| Transport and distribution clerks |
67,500 |
|---|
| Other occupations |
1,001,500 |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – 156,600 employees work within the logistics sector in the region. Of these 17,000 people work in postal service, this equates to 11% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – 186,700 workers are employed in the logistics sector in the East of England, of these 27,100 work in postal service. This is 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – 178,800 employees work in logistics in London. In this region 27,200 people work in postal service, which accounts for 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North East – The logistics sector employs 55,000 workers in the North East, of these, 9,700 are employed in postal service. This is 18% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – 193,400 workers are employed in the logistics sector in the North West, of these 23,900 are employed in the postal service. Postal Service employment accounts for 13% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – 256,300 employees work in logistics in the region. The postal service industry employs 33,000 employees, this equates to 13% of the logistics workforce in the South East.
South West – 135,100 employees work within the logistics sector in this region. Of these 23,400 people work in postal service, this equates to 17% of the logistics workforce in the South West.
West Midlands – The logistics sector employs 187,500 in the West Midlands, of these 16,700 are employed in the postal service. This is 9% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – 158,100 workers are employed in the logistics sector in the region. 21,100 of these individuals work in postal service. This is 13% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Northern Ireland – There is an estimated 4,400 employees in postal services, accounting for 15% of the logistics sector, in around 170 workplaces.
Scotland – There is an estimated 18,700 employees in postal services, accounting for 16% of the logistics sector, in around 700 workplaces.
Wales – There is an estimated 10,500 employees in postal services, accounting for 19% of the logistics sector, in around 200 workplaces.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008, Annual Business Inquiry, 200 7 and Inter‐Departmental Business Register, 2007.]
Salary levels
Annual salaries in the industry range from:
- Postal Delivery Worker – starting around £15,000. With 12 months service, this rises to around £17,000. There are extra payments for unsocial hours, driving duties and other responsibilities. Postal workers in and around London usually receive a higher salary.
- Delivery Van Driver – full‐time drivers can earn between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.
- Forklift Truck Driver – starting between £12,000 and £13,500, rising to between £14,000 and £21,000 with experience.
- Couriers – starting around £11,500 to £13,000, rising to between £14,000 and £20,000 with experience.
- Motorcycle couriers in the London area can earn up to £23,000, although part of this will be taken up by fuel, insurance and equipment costs. Many companies offer bonuses for full attendance and/or delivering a certain number of items.
- LGV Drivers – starting around £13,000 to £14,000, rising to between £15,000 and £30,000 with experience.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Skills for Logistics AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
