Job market information
Finding out about storage and warehousing
The storage and warehousing industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: air freight; wholesaling; road haulage; freight forwarding; postal services; 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.
Warehouses operate by storing all sorts of products and then dispatching them to where they are needed. A variety of goods are stored in warehouses, including: chemicals; electrical goods; textiles; and foodstuffs. To manage goods safely warehouses may need to be kept at, for example, a certain temperature or have refrigerated areas to keep food frozen.
Key facts:
- A total of 190,600 people are employed in storage and warehousing in the UK, which is estimated to be 11% of the logistics sector workforce.
- There are 5,600 storage and warehousing workplaces in the UK.
- In England, the storage and warehousing industry employs a greater proportion of younger people than in any other part of the logistics sector.
- 41% of the workforce is under 35 years old.
- Self-employment in this industry is limited.
Jobs in the industry range from: warehouse assistant, warehouse manager, storekeeping, stores administration, forklift truck driver, warehouse team leader, order picker, stock controller.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements and qualifications vary depending on occupational role. There are no specific qualifications required for those wishing to work in warehousing, but a good level of English, mathematics and IT is advantageous.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry. Forklift Truck Drivers require specialist training.
For those wishing to enter management, supervisory experience and relevant qualifications are usually required. The following HND or degree subjects are likely to be an advantage: transport and distribution management; logistics; supply chain management; business and management; and foreign languages with business studies.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
190,600 |
|---|
| Number of UK workplaces: |
5,600 |
|---|
| Gender: |
78% male |
22% female (in England) |
|---|
| Age: |
16% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 25% 25‐34 years |
| 25% 35‐44 years |
| 22% 45‐54 years |
| 13% is over 45 years |
| 10% of the workforce in England is part‐time and 1% are self‐employed |
[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).
Technology has changed the way warehouses operate. It makes it possible for items to be assembled and delivered to a factory or store within hours. Some warehouses are so large that computer controlled cranes and lift trucks are used to move between the storage racks. IT skills are, therefore, becoming increasing important.
Skill requirements and shortages
For storage and warehouse managers, skills likely to be needed in the future are:
- IT skills, covering a wide variety of aspects including inventory control, operations management and profitability;
- better understanding of the supply chain and broader knowledge of the industry;
- People skills including the ability to motivate staff, manage change and deal with customers.
For warehouse assistants the following skills are likely to be required in the future: IT Skills, knowledge of health and safety procedures, numeracy skills and customer care skills.
For stock control clerks it is envisaged that there will be a heavy emphasis on computer skills and system or supply chain knowledge.
Occupational trends
Across the UK there are 77,300 storage and warehouse managers. Of these, 10% are female, 3% are under 25 years of age, 41% are over 45 years of age, 6% are from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background and 38% are qualified below NVQ Level 2.
12% of warehouse assistants in the UK are female, 21% are under 25 years of age, 35% are over 45, 8% are from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background and 63% are qualified below NVQ Level 2.
There are no data on occupational trends by industry. The following data are for the logistics sector as a whole. 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 |
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| Large (heavy) goods vehicle drivers |
312,900 |
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| Post workers, mail sorter, messenger or couriers |
200,800 |
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| Van drivers |
202,200 |
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| Transport and distribution managers |
85,200 |
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| Storage and warehouse managers |
75,100 |
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| Transport and distribution clerks |
67,500 |
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| Other occupations |
1,001,500 |
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[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – Of the 156,600 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 29,800 work in storage and warehousing. This equates to 19% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – Of the 186,700 employees working in logistics in the East of England, 14,800 work in storage and warehousing. This equates to 8% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – Of the 178,800 employees working in logistics businesses in London, 11,800 work in storage and warehousing. This equates to 7% of the logistics workforce in the city.
North East – Of the 55,000 employees working in logistics in the North East, 4,100 work in storage and warehousing. This equates to 7% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – Of the 193,400 employees working in logistics in the North East, 25,100 are employed in storage and warehousing roles. This equates to 13% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – Of the 256,300 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 22,500 are employed in storage and warehousing roles. This equates to 9% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South West – Of the 135,100 employees working in logistics in the South West, 12,400 work in storage and warehousing. This accounts for 9% of the logistics workforce in the region.
West Midlands – Of the 187,500 employees working in logistics in the West Midlands, 29,300 are employed in storage and warehousing. This accounts for 16% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – Of the 158,100 employees working in logistics in the region, 23,700 people are employed in storage and warehousing. This accounts for 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Northern Ireland – There is an estimated 80 workplaces involved in storage and warehousing.
Scotland – There is an estimated 7,600 employees in the industry, accounting for 7% of the logistics sector, in around 400 workplaces.
Wales – There is an estimated 4,500 employees in, accounting for 8% of the logistics sector, in around 200 workplaces.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007 and Inter‐Departmental Business Register, 2007.]
Salary levels
Annual salaries in the industry range from:
- Warehouse Assistant – starting at around £12,000 a year, rising to up to £18,000 with experience
- Warehouse Manager – starting at around £15,000 to £20,000, rising to between £22,000 and £35,000 with experience. Higher levels of management can earn more than £40,000.
- Forklift Truck Driver – starting between £12,000 and £13,500, rising to £14,000 to £21,000 with experience
- Order Picker – earns in the range of £220 ‐ £250 a week, rising to £300 ‐ £370. Higher earners can make around £440 a week
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Skills for Logistics AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
