Air Freight Import & Export Co-ordinator Apprentice

Summary

We are recruiting for a Freight Forwarding Apprentice to assist our customers booking process & intended to support & expand our growing business. The successful candidate will learn all aspects of freight forwarding within a busy Freight Forwarding company, with opportunities to progress.

Wage

£16,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Performance increases throughout employment.

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

Freight Forwarding Customer Services Apprentice is to assist our customers booking process and intended to support and expand our growing business.

Learning to apply a range of skills in order to provide an excellent service to customers including answering and responding to emails, data entry and assisting with general administrative duties:

This role is an on-going learning role, within a busy Freight Forwarding company, with opportunities to progress.

Assisting the general administration of the customer booking process
Data entry of work in NetFreight (Operational System)
Development of Knowledge of Air, Sea and Road Freight markets and procedures
Airline bookings, preparation of export documentation.
Liaising with Transport
Department to book collections, deliveries, airport transfers etc.
Support the business in maintaining a positive and enjoyable working experience, aligned with our culture and values
Working openly and collaboratively in a small operational team, good communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise and organise your workload are essential
A major aspect of the role will require communication with customers directly, so a positive attitude and friendly professional demeanour are also critical

Where you'll work

UNIT 5
THE POLYGON BUSINESS CENTRE
DAVID ROAD
COLNBROOK
SL3 0QT

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)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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

Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship Standard - Air Freight Pathway:

On-the-job training delivered by the employer
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will 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 apprenticeship 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 in order to progress and develop
Identify, track and support 6 hours off the job training activities
Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths & English (grade A*-C / 4-9)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

ICT (grade A*-C / 4-9)

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
Time keeping
Positive attitude
Eager to learn
Professional manner

Other requirements

Vacancies are subject to close at any time subject to volume of applications. Please note due to the location a driving licence would be beneficial as the closest bus stop is approximately 1 mile away. We would require at least one reference of previous work experience.

About this company

Meridian Freight Services is an International Freight Forwarding company, founded in 1982, providing transportation and consultancy services. Built on robust and sound business practises, the company has grown and evolved through several worldwide economic business cycles. Despite advances in paperless trading, our industry remains a people-orientated business. Our staff are highly valued resource, greatly appreciated by our clients. Every client knows that there is a dedicated professional looking after their interests. Our areas of specialism include the high value artwork sector, movement of live animals, repatriation and on-airport supervision at Heathrow Airport with our BAA accredited ID Pass Scheme. Our core values of trust, loyalty and integrity centre around putting our customers at the heart of what we do. We therefore work in a highly collaborative way with the common focus of delivering operational excellence.

http://www.meridianfreight.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

20 days paid Annual leave. Paid Company Lunch once a month. Additional holiday entitlement, company pension support & private healthcare would come into place if position became permanent end of apprenticeship.

After this apprenticeship

Permanent position within Art and Cultural services, full-time permanent position within the team

Ask a question

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