Apprentice Ocean Freight Forwarder

Summary

An apprenticeship to support development towards becoming an International Freight Forwarder, whose overall aim is to manage or support our customers’ logistics by arranging the movement of Ocean Freight. This can include exporting and importing goods across the world.

Wage

£14,722.50 a year

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Salary is reviewed after 12 months.

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Saturday 17 May 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Develop relationships with customers (internal/external)
Ensure all customer enquiries are responded to promptly and professionally
Adhere to Customs Compliance procedures and documentation
Ensure each ‘Job File’ is fully and accurately completed
Work with Carriers and Handling Agents to resolve exceptions and discrepancies as they arise
Work with DGF departments on Ocean freight planning and coordination
Liaise with DGF Transport & Warehouse teams on Ocean freight planning and coordination
Liaise with overseas offices on Ocean freight planning and coordination
Maintain mandatory milestones through the Company's Freight Forwarding system
Use Company systems to create, manage and maintain the movement of freight
Update the company’s customer complaints with all required inputs
Ensure that all interactions are compliant with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements, e.g. anti anti-corruption
Contribute to the ‘First Choice’ continuous improvement program
Participate in monthly team briefing sessions
Complete all statutory and mandatory training as and when required

Where you’ll work

Unit 9, More Plus
Central Park, Madison Way
Severn Beach
Bristol
BS35 4ER

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

Your training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.

Your training plan

On-the-job training delivered by the employer
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths may need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3
Allocation of an apprenticeship delivery coach who will carry out regular training
Assessment and support visits to ensure you acquire new learning, knowledge, skills and behaviours to progress and develop
Identify, track and support 6 hours of off-the-job training activities.
Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
Maths (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working

About this company

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is one of the five DHL divisions within DPDHL Group. DGF UK specialise in shipping freight by air and sea. We are the world and UK market leader for airfreight and number two for ocean freight. At DGF we have over 30,000 employees working across more than 200 countries. In the UK we have over 1,000 colleagues working across office, warehouse and transport roles. We collect, store and deliver the goods and handle customs formalities.

http://www.dhl.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

The apprenticeship will initially be a 24-month Fixed Term Contract (FTC), with the aim that Apprentices either move onto a further Apprenticeship or a permanent role within the business, subject to a suitable vacancy being available and in line with the selection process for the role

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