The Daily Update spoke to Joshua Yelverton, who embarked on a Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship with the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade’s apprenticeship delivery arm, IOEx.
Yelverton explained how the apprenticeship supported his whirlwind transition from bike mechanic to European operations coordinator at freight forwarder Woodland Group, with the structured support and great industry insights from his training delivery coach making this “the best educational opportunity” he’s ever had.
European operations manager, Eve Happe, also remarked on the progress he’s made, sharing that the apprenticeship has “support[ed] Josh’s understanding of the industry, which assists with his daily responsibilities in the role”.
The role
Yelverton made the transition to European operations coordinator via a different kind of technical role, having previously worked in a bike shop.
As he puts it, it’s been a fun and unexpected learning curve: “I went from fixing bikes to then learning about Incoterms not many months later!”
At Woodland Group he’s part of a small team managing imports, mostly from Italy, but with a variety of goods and associated documentary requirements.
“No two days are the same,” he adds, “making my job role very enjoyable and interesting”.
Added insight
He highlights the breadth of industry insight he’s gained beyond his role as especially valuable for his career development, explaining that the apprenticeship has allowed him to “learn about the wider freight industry rather than just one particular part”.
This is reflected in the core knowledge covered by the qualification’s syllabus. In addition to offering apprentices a tailored pathway according to their role – air freight, ocean freight or road freight – the apprenticeship also covers central freight forwarding competencies.
These include documentation and terminology, customs regulations and procedures, industry infrastructure, sustainability consideration, and wider responsibilities and regulations.
Yelverton cites dangerous goods as an example of an important area covered by the apprenticeship that he’s yet to encounter in the role.
By discussing dangerous goods with training delivery coach, Jim Allsop, and producing written work, Yelverton said his understanding increased, especially around the needs and function of Dangerous Goods Notes – the legal documentation that must accompany such goods.
Team boost
Yelverton’s manager Happe also commented on the benefits that his progress is bringing to the wider team, commenting that he’s “getting a clear understanding of the technical parts of the job”.
“Understanding incoterms and hazardous information well within the first six months means he’s able to apply these skills to his role and be better informed when handling the groupage service he’s involved in.”
She also praised IOEx’s delivery of the qualification, describing those involved as “incredibly supportive and personable, which makes the whole process really enjoyable and easy as an employer.”
Training delivery coach
These qualities were touched on by Yelverton, who added that Allsop’s support and the structured input of a training delivery coach, has made a big difference to his learning experience in the role.
In addition to learning from his team, the apprenticeship involved Yelverton gaining structured insights from Allsop, who would cover ‘knowledge’, ‘skills’ and ‘behaviours’ relating to 11 core occupation duties.
Yelverton says he appreciated the regular sessions with Allsop, who he describes as “actively mak[ing] the lessons engaging and interesting”, and adds that it was great to be able to track his progress through their regular sessions.
“I notice [the benefits] in my day-to-day role as, after every monthly lesson with Jim, I feel more confident in my daily responsibilities.”
This is something Happe echoes, adding that the team can see “positive progress in Josh as each month passes.”
“He’s able to get involved with other elements of the daily operations as he learns, better supporting the team.”
Everything to gain
Yelverton says he would “forever recommend [an apprenticeship] to anyone who wants to gain more knowledge, no matter how far into your career you are.”
For those given the chance to take on an apprenticeship, he says his advice would be to do it, “take the opportunity and put all the effort you can into it”.
“I never would have thought that six months ago when working in a bike shop that an opportunity like this would come around.”
You can learn more about IOEx apprenticeship programmes here. This includes a Level 2: Supply Chain Warehouse Operative qualification, as well as Level 3: Team Leader and Level 5: Operations Manager qualifications for those further along in their careers.
Member exclusive
