Apprenticeships in England

An Apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future. Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.  

The Logistics Sector needs intelligent and highly motivated people who are keen to carve out a career for themselves in a dynamic and growing sector. Apprenticeships provide a valuable entry route into the Logistics Sector and are focused at three levels: Intermediate, Advanced and Higher.

An Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain valuable skills in one of five areas:

• Traffic Office – this involves route planning and organising loads to ensure goods reach their destination on time and in good condition.
• Warehouse – this involves organising the handling, storage, packing and movement of goods, in and out of the warehouse.
• Professional Drivers – this involves driving vehicles ranging from a motorbike to a 38 tonne truck (depending on the licence held) with a valuable cargo on board.
• Freight Forwarding – this involves organising the importing and exporting of goods to and from all over the world.
• Maritime– this covers a range of careers from sea fishing to port operations to working in the Merchant Navy on the deck or in the engine room. 

Apprentices are employed and will have a  written agreement between them and their employer – the Apprenticeship Agreement. The Agreement sets out what the apprentice will do for their employer and what the employer will do for their apprentice.

When an employee undertakes to become an apprentice they will be issued with a detailed training plan. This means both employer and apprentice will know exactly what is expected to be achieved, how and where the training will take place and when the training will be reviewed. This enables the apprentice and their employer to chart the progress of the Apprenticeship.

Intermediate Apprenticeships

Intermediate Apprenticeships are at Level 2 and provide the apprentice with on and off-the-job practical training, a chance to earn while they learn and opportunities to progress.

Intermediate Apprenticeships consist of an integrated knowledge/competence qualification, an employee’s rights and responsibilities qualification and functional skills qualifications in Maths and English with ICT included in some frameworks.

Intermediate Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:

• Traffic Office
• Driving Goods Vehicles
• Warehousing and Storage
• International Trade and Logistics Operations
• Commercial Moving
• Logistics Operations
• Mail and Package Distribution
• Supply Chain Management
• Maritime Occupations

These Apprenticeships are highly regarded in the industry and prove an employee’s competence to do their job, providing them with a good stepping stone to further training.

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are at Level 3 and are designed for young people who have the potential to become the supervisors and managers of tomorrow. That sort of responsibility requires people with initiative, good organisational ability and strong practical skills rooted in sound training. Advanced Apprenticeships are for people who are keen to carve out a successful career in a dynamic industry.

Advanced Apprenticeships have been specially developed to provide a programme of work-based learning and assessment, designed to equip an apprentice with the skills needed to reach their full potential.

Advanced Apprenticeships consist of an integrated knowledge/competence qualification, an employee rights and responsibilities qualification and functional skills qualifications in Maths and English with ICT included in some frameworks.

Advanced Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:

• Driving Goods Vehicles
• Warehousing and Storage
• Traffic Office
• Supply Chain Management
• Logistics Operations
• Maritime Occupations
• Procurement – NEW JULY 2014

These Advanced Apprenticeships are highly valued by employers and prove an employee’s competence to do the job.

Higher Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships can be from Level 4 to Level 8, although all the logistics frameworks are at Level 5. These are designed to provide a work-based training route for those people wanting to progress through Apprenticeships to Degrees. They provide on and off-the-job practical training, a competitive salary and career progression.

Higher apprentices will achieve at least a Foundation Degree, with opportunities to progress to Degree level.

Higher Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:

• Express Logistics
• Supply Chain Management

Useful links:

For general information about Apprenticeships –  The Apprenticeship website

If you need help in finding and employer or finding a potential apprentice – The Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service

For information on careers in logistics – Delivering Your Future

To find the latest copy of each of the Apprenticeship frameworks –  Apprenticeship Frameworks Online