Delivery van driver

As a delivery driver you could:

• collect items from a warehouse or pick up point
•  plan the route and load the vehicle to match this route
•  contact customers and update tracking systems and delivery records
•  make deliveries, give invoices and get customer signatures
•  record mileage and fuel and return undelivered items

• customer service skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Your employer might supply you with a delivery van, but if you're self-employed you'll need your own vehicle.

You'll also need to check what type of insurance is required for your vehicle and for the goods you transport, especially if self-employed.

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.

With experience you could:

• become a delivery coordinator and manage a team of delivery drivers
•  use your driving skills to work in other types of transport
•  do training to become a HGV driver and work in freight transport
•  get a Security Industry Association license and do specialist training to drive and deliver cash and high value items