Hermes UK has launched a major recruitment drive and is looking for 10,500 “parcel people” to handle volumes that are predicted to be double last year on Black Friday and at Christmas.

The delivery firm wants to employ 1,500 full time staff for roles in its head office in Yorkshire, as well as drivers, warehouse operatives, managers and supervisors across its UK network.

In addition, the company said it had opportunities for 9,000 self-employed couriers, who will have the option of becoming SE+ couriers – enabling them to enjoy guaranteed rates of pay, holiday pay and other benefits.

Recruitment has already begun in anticipation of volumes hitting 3.5m parcels each day during its peak periods.

Martijn de Lange, Hermes UK CEO, said: “The pandemic has expedited the already phenomenal growth of online shopping and we see no sign of this changing.

“As a result, it is important that we have the right infrastructure and people in place to support this.

“This is good news for the many people who have sadly had their income affected and we are pleased to be able to support the UK economy with so many jobs at this time.”