Why graduates should consider working in warehousing

Recently graduated or nearing the end of your course? This can be an exciting yet bewildering time, with so many potential career paths open to you.  

One of these is often overlooked, but offers all kinds of opportunities – warehousing. Here are just a few of the many reasons graduates should seriously consider a career in this fast-growing sector: 

No experience? No problem 

While prior experience is always useful when applying for roles, it isn’t essential in an industry like warehousing. For some entry-level roles, it’s more important for you to have the basic ‘soft’ skills in place. For example, strong communication, leadership, reliability, conscientiousness and motivation.  

Being a fast learner helps too, as many of the more technical or practical skills you’ll need can be taught on the job.  

You’ll be in demand 

Like many industries, warehousing and distribution is struggling to hire enough staff following the twin shocks of Covid-19 and Brexit. In fact, a recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT) found that a huge 86% of companies have experienced warehouse operative shortages over the last two years.  

This has led to an uplift in salaries and perks, as employers compete for the available talent. In order to attract the people they need, around 60% of companies are offering funding for training and 50% are using staff bonuses as an incentive.  

What this means for you is that it should be easier than ever to break into the industry for your first job.  

Opportunities for progression 

The great thing about the warehousing sector is that it’s made up of so many different roles. You may start off as a trainee warehouse operator, but you could soon rise to supervisor, manager or perhaps even a logistics specialist.   

There are opportunities available in sourcing and purchasing, production and manufacturing, marketing and sales, and many more.  

And while you progress through an organisation, you’ll be learning vital skills along the way. Many warehouse roles are highly technical, and the people in these higher-level roles are considered experts at what they do.  

Flexible working 

Warehouses typically run on shifts, with work continuing 24 hours a day. This means there’s usually a wide variety of shifts available, including days, nights, weekends or even a rotating mix of all three.  

With a supportive manager on your side, this should hopefully mean that you can find the working pattern that suits your personal circumstances. This can be particularly useful if you have other studies or family/care commitments. 

And with warehouse staff so in demand at the moment, there may even be opportunities to earn extra money with overtime and taking on extra shifts.   

If you need help finding your first UK warehouse job, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our specialist recruitment team here at Quest Employment – fill in our online form or contact one of our branch locations.   

You can also kickstart your search by taking a look at our latest job vacancies.  

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