Apprentice Trainee Freight Forwarder

Summary

Join Uniexpress as an Apprentice Trainee Freight Forwarder located in Halifax. You'll gain hands-on experience in international logistics, supporting shipment coordination, customs, documentation, and customer service. Learn from industry experts while developing skills for a rewarding career in international freight forwarding.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday between 9am-5.30pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 11 August 2025

Duration

1 year 3 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

About the Role

Kickstart your career in logistics as a Trainee Freight Forwarder. You’ll gain hands-on experience in coordinating shipments across air, sea, and road, while learning about customs, documentation, and customer service. This entry-level role is perfect for someone eager to learn and grow in the freight forwarding industry.

Our Culture at Uniexpress

At Uniexpress, we’re driven by a shared commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and mutual respect. Our culture is built on strong values: development, knowledge, loyalty, professionalism, respect, and teamwork, which guide everything we do.

We believe in empowering our people to grow, contribute, and take pride in their work. Our mission is to foster a collaborative environment where every voice is heard, every idea matters, and every team member plays a vital role in our success. Together, we aim to exceed expectations, build lasting relationships, and be recognised as the best at what we do.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the coordination of shipments across air, sea, and road freight.
Assist in preparing shipping and customs documentation under supervision.
Learn to liaise with carriers, agents, and customers to gather shipment details.
Track shipments and update internal systems with status and documentation.
Shadow experienced freight forwarders to gain hands-on industry knowledge.
Participate in training sessions to develop understanding of Incoterms, customs, and logistics software.
Contribute to team meetings and support administrative tasks as needed.
Demonstrate a proactive attitude and willingness to learn and grow within the company.
All colleagues undertake general office duties including answering the telephone, filing and dealing with the post.

Requirements:

Interest in logistics and international trade.
Strong willingness to learn and develop.
Good IT and communication skills.
Proficient user of Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, Word and Outlook.

Person Specification:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Eagerness to learn and progress, and the ability to grasp new systems and processes quickly.
A team player.
Good organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
Committed, motivated, energetic, proactive and fun with a positive can-do attitude.
Flexible with a willingness to get involved in all aspects of the day-to-day business.
Ability to work well whilst under time constraints with a ‘right first-time’ approach.

Where you'll work

Listers Road
Halifax
HX3 7XA

Training

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

College or training organisation

SKILLS OFFICE NETWORK LTD

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

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language or Literature (grade 4 (C) or above or equivalent)
Mathematics (grade 4 (C) or above 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
Team working
Interest in logistics
Interest in Global Trade
Eagerness to learn
Time management

About this company

Welcome to Uniexpress Established in 1986, Uniexpress is one of the UK's largest independent global freight forwarders with over 140 employees operating from 7 locations across the country. With a customer-first ethos, our expert teams are trusted by well-known brands to provide a worldwide service via sea, air, road and rail, delivering the highest levels of personal service to develop long-term partnerships.

https://uniexpress.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Continuous development with opportunities for progression in a growing company. Free parking on site. 25 days holiday.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship there may be the opportunity for permanent employment within the company and/or a long-term career in the sector/industry.

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