Freight Forwarding Apprentice

XPAND LOGISTICS LIMITED

Essex (SS14 3WB)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 21 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 7 August 2025


Summary

XPand Logistics Limited are now recruiting for a Freight Forwarding apprentice to join their busy team in Basildon, Essex. The successful candidate will learn all aspects of freight forwarding, managing and coordinating all import and export ocean shipments.

Wage

£17,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Enhanced annual leave (23 days, plus bank holidays) Paid Volunteer Day HSF Health Cash Back Scheme EAP Support Free fresh fruit

Training course
International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 7.00am - 5.30pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 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

Job Summary:

At XPand Logistics, the Freight Forwarding Apprentice will co-ordinate and facilitate all road transport activities in a compliant, efficient and effective manner, ensuring seamless communication with both internal teams and external partners.

You will plan, coordinate and monitor the timely movement of goods by road, assigning optimal routes to drivers, tracking deliveries against shipment agreements and swiftly resolving any issues to maintain on time performance and delivery integrity.

This role also involves managing import and export operations, preparing and reviewing customs documentation, and liaising with freight forwarders, customs brokers and hauliers to ensure cost-effective cross-border shipments.

Where you'll work

Unit 8A
Festival Way
Basildon
Essex
SS14 3WB

Training

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

Training provider

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

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.

Training schedule

  • On-the-job training delivered by the employer
  • English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level
  • 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 of off-the-job training activities
  • Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

More training information

International freight forwarding specialist L3 Apprenticeship standard

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliable

About this employer

Established in 2000, XPand Logistics Ltd is now seen as one of the few UK forwarders specialising in true customer service for its’ clients.

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

After this apprenticeship

After completion of the apprenticeship, the employee will be a fully qualified ocean operator within the industry. This will allow for various career progressions, either within an individual mode of logistics or progress to a Key Account Supervisor / Manager.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

Kerry Traill

kerry.traill@seetec.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336128.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 21 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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