Ocean Freight Operations Apprentice

Summary

To develop you towards becoming an International Freight Forwarder, the overall aim is to manage or support our Customers’ logistics by arranging the movement of Freight via Air or Ocean, and /or Road. Including Exporting and Importing Goods from and to the UK and across the World. The main focus will be working in the Ocean Freight Department.

Wage

£14,722.50 a year

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Salary reviewed after 12 months

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9.00am- 5.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 4 August 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

2

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 planning and coordination.
Liaise with DGF Transport & Warehouse teams on Ocean or planning and coordination
Liaise with overseas offices on Ocean or Air 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
Ensure that all interactions are compliant with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements e.g. anti corruption
Contribute to the ‘First Choice’ continuous improvement program
Participate in Monthly Team briefing sessions and weekly performance dialog meetings
Complete all statutory and mandatory training as and when required

Where you'll work

Port of Liverpool Building
Pier Head
Liverpool
L3 1BY

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

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 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 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 in:

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

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Any x 3 (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)

A Level in:

Any (grade A - C or equivalent)

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://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

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

Paul Cotton

paul.cotton@seetec.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000329139.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 18 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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