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Messenger

Do you want to become a Messenger? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Messengers sort, collect and distribute items of mail within or between organisations. They might handle items such as:

• letters, memos and parcels
• magazines and circulars
• registered deliveries
• valuable items such as money or legal papers.

Messengers are usually based in a mailroom where they sort mail into pigeon holes and then distribute it around the building on foot, using a trolley. Sometimes they travel longer distances in vehicles. They are involved in franking and bagging up external mail and liaising with the postal services when they arrive to collect the bags at the end of the day. They may have administrative and clerical responsibilities, such as filing and photocopying, or light maintenance duties within their workplace.

Messengers work office hours, Monday to Friday, although some start earlier than other office workers, at around 7 am. Some may work shifts. Messengers who work within a building are based in the mailroom and spend most of the day on their feet.

Salaries range from £8,000 for a school-leaver to £20,000 for a supervisory position.

A messenger needs to be:

• reliable and honest
• able to remember names, faces and locations
• able to handle large volumes of mail quickly and efficiently
• friendly and communicative with both customers and the people on their team
• physically fit - much of the day is spent walking from office to office.

Employers include banks, law firms, local authorities, central government departments, National Health Service Trusts, and large companies. There may also be opportunities in the retail and distribution sector. Some organisations employ specialist companies to provide mailroom and facilities management services. Opportunities are on the decline because of the increasing use of email and automated mailrooms.

No set qualifications are required to start as a messenger, but it is necessary to be able to read, write and do basic calculations. Previous experience in related work may be an advantage, and a driving licence may be required for some jobs. There is no upper age limit for starting as a messenger, and many employers see maturity as an asset.

Most messengers are trained on the job, and there are a number of relevant qualifications available, such as NVQ/SVQ in Mail Operations at Level 2, as well as an Apprenticeship in Administration.

With experience messengers may progress to become team leaders or supervisors.

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