Date: 04.02.2021

Changing lives; the Metro Apprenticeship – leading to a fulfilling career in the logistics field

National Apprenticeship Week 2021 starts next Monday, with Metro (and our apprentices) joining the week-long celebration to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

Over 900 events are taking place across the country, together with 1700 articles appearing  in local, regional and national press next week to celebrate the benefits of apprenticeships.

The COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of supply chains and the role of the freight forwarder in maintaining the flow of critical products, into and out of the UK.

And while the freight forwarding profession is in the spotlight like never before, the pace of change is accelerating and continuously attracting new talent is essential, which is why Metro are passionate supporters of the ‘International Freight Forwarder’ apprenticeship devised by our trade association BIFA, the British International Freight Association.

Metro apprentices complete the International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship (IFFS) over 18 months, supported by our partners at BIFA and Seetec Outsource. It is a comprehensive and immersive, on-the-job, learning experience that covers international trade, the role of the freight forwarder and the multiple specialisations that the profession embraces, including the complexities of air, sea and surface freight.

There are currently three apprentices working through the IFFS programme at Metro, with another due to start and we welcome applications from ‘would-be’ experts in international transport, that are interested in joining the next apprentice intake.

The International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship was created three years ago, with Metro’s Colin Smith (Training & Career Development Manager) joining representatives from the UK’s ten leading forwarders in the BIFA industry group that designed the framework and syllabus for the apprenticeship.  

Colin is working on a review and revision of the apprenticeship programme over the next two months, with Metro’s air freight operations manager, Andy Brooks contributing his extensive knowledge to the review of the air freight pathway.

We are actively seeking new apprentices and invite applications via our website.

If you know anyone that would thrive in the freight industry and are looking for a challenge please do ask them to apply.

We are also recruiting in other more experienced roles, including import ocean freight, air freight and sales/marketing roles. If you, or someone you know, would enjoy working with a progressive colleague-focused business, please to visit our website or send us a CV, with covering letter.

Check out our careers page  or email us your CV and covering letter directly to cv@metroshipping.co.uk

Check out these BIFA and SEETEC links to learn more about apprenticeships in freight forwarding;

https://www.seetec.co.uk/insights/how-apprentices-get-your-parcel-to-you

https://apprentices.bifa.org/

https://apprentices.bifa.org/apprentices/apprentice-standard/

https://www.seetec.co.uk/insights/what-does-a-freight-forwarder-do-find-out-what-a-job-in-freight-involves

Metro are an active organisation in laying out career paths and opportunities to our team members and we will continue to be a market leading employer. Colleagues make the business in the service industry which deliver unsurpassed services and solutions to our valued customers.