IOEx Ltd Apprenticeships | International Trade Apprenticeship Training | The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeships with IOEx Ltd

What our apprenticeships employers have to say

If you are considering an international freight forwarding apprenticeship, my recommendation would be – do it! As an international logistics company, it's a great way for us to introduce new people into the industry.

Richard Lissimore-Hird People development and culture manager Woodland Group Ltd

IOEx Ltd has been so helpful. Nothing has been too much trouble. They have taken us through the process and the collaboration has been superb. The International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship is a good investment.

Peta Krailing MCIEx Trade compliance and security manager Fluke Precision Measurement Ltd

My team have developed as trade professionals through the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship. Every day, you can see how they’ve grown through their learning. IOEx Ltd supported every need we had.

Gavin Wallis Managing director GOT Freight Ltd

Why choose IOEx Ltd as your apprenticeship provider?

Industry-leading expertise

Every apprentice benefits from an expert logistics professional as their dedicated coach, ensuring they gain the depth of knowledge and confidence to excel.

Tailored learning and support

Our approach encompasses personal tutoring tailored learning and comprehensive support throughout the apprenticeship journey.

Skills to suit your organisation

We stand out from other providers by offering three specialised freight pathways for learners: choose from road, air or ocean to suit your needs.

Why choose an international freight forwarding apprenticeship for your team?

Build freight and customs capability

Equip your team with a complete understanding of how freight moves, customs procedures and costings.

Maximise government funding

Apprenticeships offer high-quality and cost-effective workforce development, with government funding at your fingertips.

Recognised qualifications

Invest in your team with recognised apprenticeships, a signal of excellence for clients and stakeholders.

Mikeala Morgans AMCIEx, SFHEA, FRSA

Head of academic services

Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Mikeala is Head of Academic Services at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade. She is a seasoned education professional and academic having qualified as a teacher in 1998 before moving into school leadership and then into academia as a Senior then Principal university lecturer leading a large provision that included foundation, undergraduate, post-graduate and Masters’ qualifications as well as apprenticeships. Her over 27 years of experience spans schools, advisory services, higher education, and military training. She is a qualified school leader holding NPQH, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Her expertise includes strategic leadership, mentoring and coaching, curriculum design and analysis, teaching, learning and assessment, academic quality assurance, and governance.

In her role as Head of Academic Services at the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, Mikeala leads a number of teams including the Education Team (including the Customs Academy), the Academy Quality and Compliance Team, the Learner Services Team and IOEx Ltd apprenticeship provision. She is responsible for the leadership and management of daily operations, performance management, safeguarding, resourcing, recruitment, and team development. She has successfully developed and implemented strategic objectives, ensuring professional, engaging, and up-to-date learning content while overseeing adherence to regulatory education frameworks and academic quality standards.

Steve Horrell

Learner services manager

Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Steve served for 16 years as an Intelligence Analyst with the Royal Air Force, before embarking on a second career within the apprenticeship sector as an account manager, retentions manager and success manager. With over 25 years of management experience, across a career in military intelligence and apprenticeship delivery and retention, he is a passionate advocate of vocational learning, forging cohesive teams and developing potential into results. He is currently apprenticeships success manager for IOEx Ltd, the apprenticeships subsidiary of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade.

Christopher Elson

Apprenticeship training and delivery coach

IOEx Ltd

Christopher is an apprenticeship training and delivery coach at IOEx Ltd, specialising in International Freight Forwarding.

He brings 11 years of Reserve service as of May 2026, including combined Infantry and Light Cavalry experience over five years and six years as an RLC Movement Controller coordinating global air, sea, road, and rail freight movements.

With eight years in education, he has worked as a course coordinator, lecturer, assessor, and personal tutor.

Christopher applies a learner‑first approach, using his operational movement experience and commercial international freight forwarding knowledge to support the development of future logistics professionals.

Tony Gill

International trade and customs specialist

Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Tony Gill is an international trade and customs specialist with over 20 years of experience across diverse global sectors. Originally rooted in freight logistics management and forwarding, Tony developed a deep specialisation in UK and European Union routing, with particular expertise in the complexities of reefer (refrigerated) transportation.

Today, Tony leverages his Level 5 Diploma in Advanced Customs Compliance to guide organisations through the intricacies of import, export, and trade regulations. As an accomplished educator, he serves as a tutor for the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, the Customs Academy, and various apprenticeship programs, as part of IOEx Limited, where he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of trade professionals.

Read feedback from our latest Ofsted report

"Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum in response to a skills gap in export and international trade."

"Apprentices learn from a curriculum which is developed and taught by industry experts."

"Leaders effectively match the aspirations of apprentices with employers and their training needs."

"Coaches are highly experienced logistics professionals."

Enquire now

FAQs

Many believe that apprenticeships are only for those just joining the workforce, but the reality is that apprenticeships are available to anyone above the age of 16. At IOEx Ltd, we’ve enrolled apprentices aged 16 to 62!

As a business with over £3m annual payroll:

An apprenticeship will most likely cost you nothing extra – all funding comes from your Apprenticeship Levy contributions.

You’ll pay 0.5% of your payroll into the Apprenticeship Levy, which the government then tops up by 10%. This can then be spent on apprenticeships. If these funds aren’t spent within 24 months of payment, they expire.

If you spend all of your levy funds, you can still enroll more apprentices. The government will pay 95% of the additional training costs, and you will only need to pay 5%.

As a business with less than £3m annual payroll:

The government covers 100% of the apprenticeship training and assessment cost for apprentices under 21 years of age, on the day of enrolment, for businesses with a payroll of less than £3m annually. For apprentices over 21 years of age, these businesses will only need to pay 5% towards the cost of their apprenticeships.

For the Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, the maximum cost is £9,000, meaning that a small business would only need to contribute £450 maximum, for apprentices over 21 – and nothing at all for those 16 – 21 years of age. Payment can also be spread over the duration of the apprenticeship, making it more manageable for the employer.

Note: This funding is for the training and assessment costs of an apprenticeship. Employers must still pay their team member’s wages.

You can use your government apprenticeships service account to manage funding and provider payments. Speak to us and our expert team can provide guidance for accessing your levy funding.

Yes! Due to the government’s co-investment model, apprenticeships are 100% funded for businesses with an annual payroll of under £3m on the day of enrollment, when apprentices are under the age of 21. For apprentices over the age of 21, these businesses will only need to pay 5% towards the cost of their apprenticeships.

At IOEx Ltd, we help organisations train their teams, rather than recruiting individual apprentices. Ask your employer/line manager to get in touch with us, and we can help them take the next steps.

Typical job roles that make a candidate suitable to undertake the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship include but are not limited to:

Freight forwarding specialist

Air, ocean or road freight forwarder

Logistics coordinator

Export/import administrator

Export/import clerk

Export sales manager

Shipping administrator

Shipping coordinator

Operations coordinator

Warehouse manager

Supply chain manager

Trade compliance assistant

Export/import customer service operator

Export/import coordinator

Export/import freight forwarder

Customs specialists

Any job role with freight forwarding or customs responsibilities may be suitable – we've had learners in a wide variety of job functions take the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, from sales to operations, supply chain managers to trade compliance.

Apprentices can be for new or current employees. Some of our learners have been recruited specifically to undertake an International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship – some are longstanding employees ready to consolidate their knowledge and gain a qualification.

Apprentices will typically take 15 months to complete the learning, with a 3-month apprenticeship assessment – however, timings vary per learner.

Yes, our apprenticeships are designed to be taken alongside working life. Learners are required to spend a proportion of their contracted working hours on their apprenticeship (on average six hours a week for full-time employees).

To be eligible, apprentices must be aged 16 or over, be a UK resident with the right to work in the UK and spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. They must hold an employment contract and not be on any other funded courses.

Our specialist team will guide you through the initial assessment and onboarding criteria for the Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, which expects a basic level of competence and knowledge in customs and compliance. Learners must undertake Maths and English Functional Skills Level 2 if these aims (or equivalent) have not previously been achieved.

Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship curriculum details

View here

Explore all the apprenticeships offered by IOEx LTD

Apprenticeships Image Option 1 To Add Geotag

Level 3: International Freight Forwarding Specialist

Typical job roles that are ideally suited for this apprenticeship include, but are not limited to:

Freight forwarders
Air freight forwarder
Import/export administrator

Level 2: Supply Chain Warehouse Operative

Typical job roles that are ideally suited for this apprenticeship include, but are not limited to:

Forklift truck operator
Picker
Store person
Warehouse assistant

Level 3: Team Leader

Typical job roles that are ideally suited for this apprenticeship include, but are not limited to:

Supervisor
Team Leader
Project officer
Shift supervisor
Foreperson

Level 5: Operations Manager

Typical job roles that are ideally suited for this apprenticeship include, but are not limited to:

Operations manager
Regional manager
Divisional manager
Department manager
Specialist manager

Talk to us today

How can we help you train your team in freight forwarding?

Whether you're an exporter, importer, logistics or freight company, the Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship is an effective and economical way to upskill your people.

Send us an enquiry and we’ll be in touch shortly. If you’re still exploring your options, we’re here to help you find the right training pathway.

Start your journey towards an upskilled team and international trade success.

📞 New enquiries: +44 (0)1733 404 410

Interested in our services or looking to join.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm (excl. bank holidays).

👥 Head office: +44 (0)1733 404 400

Renewals, payments, support with your account or services.
Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm (excl. bank holidays).

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

Job title *

Organisation *

Country *

Your message *

reCAPTCHA

Terms

By submitting this enquiry form, you are agreeing to IOEx’s terms and conditions

Enter search criteria

Develop your team with an international freight forwarding apprenticeship

Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeships with IOEx Ltd

What our apprenticeships employers have to say

Why choose IOEx Ltd as your apprenticeship provider?

Why choose an international freight forwarding apprenticeship for your team?