The homework challenge, Universal Service Obligation excludes many items passing through the Royal mail. One rule is 'no animals'. Students challenged with the issue 'what if the animal is dead, is it rejected in the sort?' Pressing the methodology the next question, 'if the animal was dead at send is it excluded?'. Taxidermy specimens were used as a case study example.- ‘excluded or sorted under USO’

Looking at the system of sort. Our sector is ‘Track Sorted.’ - Express logistics set in its ways and dedicated to the barcode system. Why? Candidates learning focused on K15 Chapter 6 – Knowledge to identify goods, barcodes and RFID – reflecting on a second session, Case study focused on data carried in the identity. Tracking number got top score followed by postcode, service level and client.

October evening delivery to fit with sortation shift. A knowledge lesson (K15) focused on USO exclusion and bar codes, starting with 75-year history and origins in supermarket retail. Looking at data stored, leading with tracking number. Issues around bar code labels, impact of lost label, damaged label, multiple label. Review of scanners. Which side of the parcel is the top?

The session then took a look at future steps, 2D labels, QR codes and electronic scans for RFID systems.

Lesson delivery was split between unit learning from the dedicated sortation text workbook, discussion session around barcode dedication in express sort and our sector focus for the seventy-five-year-old technology that has been proven for many decades.

Review of the label systems printed on the belt lines at Whistl, the printer technology and label placement.

Express sortation apprenticeship is a level two standard, set over twelve months, paid by levy, delivered by logistics-focused West Thames College nationally. The twelve-month programme follows a structured and interactive workbook. It is delivered for this cohort from the boardroom space at Whistl's Bedford super hub, mixed with virtual and in-person tutors and flexible on dates, flexible on times, matching the evening shift starts, changing attendance over the Bank Holiday weeks to match work flows for the students. It's practical real world job learning developing the opportunity of progression for the students.