FAQs
1. Why do Royal Mail have an Apprentice Scheme?
Royal Mail have always had a very successful track record with apprentices, our newly developed scheme is aimed 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, postwomen and mail centre operators to be potential managers of the future.
2. How old do I have to be to apply for an apprentice position?
The Royal Mail Apprentice Scheme has been designed specifically for school leavers (16-18). If you do not fit into this banding, then please visit our careers site and apply for one of our regional operations vacancies.
3. I have a disability, can I apply?
Yes. Royal Mail uses the ‘positive about disabled people’ logo on all of its recruitment materials.
4. What qualifications do I need to get onto the Apprenticeship Scheme?
No specific qualifications are required.
5. 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. Career progression into other roles after successfully completing the programme.
6. What qualifications will I obtain, and how long will this take?
NVQ Level 2 in Mail Services, which will be gained when you complete the apprentice programme (i.e. nine 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.
7. What is an NVQ and what is the equivalent grade i.e. GCSE, A level?
NVQ level 2 is a City and Guilds qualification and is equivalent to five GCSE level qualifications (A-C Grade).
8. What is the benefit of doing an NVQ?
An NVQ is a nationally recognised qualification that you can complete while working.
You’ll 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.
9. What is an NVQ in Mail Services?
The NVQ in Mail Services 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.
10. Is the Mail 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 operating in that industry, not just Royal Mail.
11. Is the Mail Services NVQ the only NVQ that I can do?
Yes – an NVQ is a vocational qualification, and therefore because the job of a postman and postwoman is processing and delivering mail, it is the only NVQ that the business will offer to people in that line of work.
12. If I achieve the Mail Services NVQ can I progress onto a Management NVQ?
Yes – the qualification can be used to ‘move up’ to higher level NVQs 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.
13. 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.
14. 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 in conduct, attendance, work rates etc.
15. Will I receive training?
Yes – the programme is nine months in duration and includes a combination of computer-based and self-directed training and learning, project work and being involved in community projects along with other Royal Mail employees. 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 Mail Services. Finally, the programme also includes key skills training covering literacy and numeracy.
16. Is there a training schedule?
Yes – most of the nine-month programme will be planned in advance so that you know what you will be learning at all points throughout.
Your work experience will potentially 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 may 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 local ‘base’ office during your time on the programme.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. What are the working hours?
The working hours will vary, dependent on which part of the operation you will be working in and can be based on full time or part time hours depending on your preference. Please see the individual jobs postings for more details.
20. Will I be issued with a uniform?
Yes.
21. Will I have to travel?
The Royal Mail Apprentice vacancies advertised are for a specific role in either one of our delivery offices or one of our mail centres. During your time with Royal Mail, you may have the opportunity to work in a different office.
You will, however, need to ensure that you can get to and from work during early mornings and late nights, possibly when public transport is not running, depending on the shifts you have applied for.
22. 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.
23. How long will it take to complete the scheme?
Nine months, although it may be possible to complete the NVQ aspect of the programme quicker.
24. 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.