Large Goods Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Plymouth, PL1 4SG

Closes on Thursday 20 March

Posted on 8 November 2024


Summary

Want to be part of a team where everyone plays a crucial role in delivering vital services to the Royal Navy? Our 16-month Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver Apprenticeship will give you the skills you need to become a successful Transport Operative and launch an exciting and varied career in logistics.

Annual wage
£12,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

35 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

1 year 4 months

Positions available

2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

  • At Babcock, defence logistics is more than just moving goods - it's about ensuring that our servicemen and women have what they need, when they need it, wherever they are in the world. As an LGV Driver Apprentice at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you will play a key role in this mission, learning how to safely deliver loads on time and provide reliable passenger transport services for both Babcock and our Royal Navy customers. Whether moving critical supplies or transporting people, your role will be vital in keeping operations running smoothly.

  • Safety is at the core of our logistics operations. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will learn how to maintain the integrity of your load and vehicle by performing essential vehicle checks, applying safe load restraint procedures, and practicing fuel-efficient driving. You will also gain a thorough understanding of workplace health and safety regulations, the highway code, traffic legislation, and working time directive laws.

  • As an LGV Driver, you will interact with a wide range of people daily, including transport planners, transport managers, fellow drivers, and customers. You will master the art of providing excellent customer service, using effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills to ensure a high-quality service, even when challenges arise.

Where you’ll work

Devonport Royal Dockyard

Devonport

Plymouth

PL1 4SG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

TRANS-PLANT TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
  • Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
  • Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
  • Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
  • Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
  • Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
  • Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
  • Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
  • Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
  • Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
  • Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
  • Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
  • Work independently using own initiative.
  • Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
  • Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
  • Support colleagues and contribute to achieving objectives or goals.
  • Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems
  • Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
  • Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
  • Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
  • Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
  • Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
  • Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
  • Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
  • Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
  • Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
  • Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
  • Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
  • Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
  • Work independently using own initiative.
  • Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
  • Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
  • Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems

Your training plan

  • You will train to achieve the Level 2 LGV Driver apprenticeship standard.

  • Your training will be divided between in-person sessions at our training provider’s premises in Marsh Barton, Exeter, and onsite at Devonport Royal Dockyard (travel costs to Exeter will be covered by Babcock). 

  • After the initial 13-month training period, you will enter the End Point Assessment (EPA) phase for the final three months of the programme. This phase will include a practical driving assessment, a multiple-choice test, and an interview to demonstrate your skills and competence. 

  • As part of your training, you will obtain both the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) and the Category C+E licence, which are legal requirements for driving LGVs professionally.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3/D)
  • Mathematics (grade 3/D)

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
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Full, clean driving licence

Other requirements

Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold may impact which roles you are eligible for. You must be able to achieve BPSS (Baseline security) and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.

About this company

Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.

https://earlycareers.babcockinternational.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Fully funded qualification, personal development, training and opportunities, minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays, competitive pension scheme, employee share scheme, flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • By the end of your apprenticeship, you will be ready to take on the role of Transport Operative within our Transport Department at Devonport Royal Dockyard, with a competitive salary of £30,000.

 

As you progress, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills and potentially advance to a Senior Transport Operative role. Additionally, you may have the option to obtain your Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, expanding your career opportunities across various roles and functions.

 

We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) to provide all members of our Logistics team with the chance to enhance their professional skills as they advance in their careers. With a wide range of training programmes, leadership development opportunities, and career progression paths, your potential is limitless.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRANS-PLANT TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000286796.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 20 March

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Once you’ve clicked ‘Apply’, you’ll be taken to our application site. Set up a candidate profile and you can apply for roles at Babcock.