Port Operative Apprentice

ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS

Teignmouth (TQ14 8ES)

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026

Posted on 6 March 2026

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Summary

This Port Operative Apprenticeship gives you the chance to become a key part of our cargo‑handling and port operations team, learning hands‑on skills that keep the port running safely and efficiently every day.

Wage

£20,215 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Wage will increase based on Tier skills system 

Training course
Port operative (level 2)
Hours
Shift work.

40 hours a week

Start date

Saturday 22 August 2026

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


  • Support cargo handling and stevedoring operations, including preparing cargo for loading and unloading.
  • Operate a range of port machinery and vehicles, such as forklifts, loading shovels, skidsteers, tugmasters and mobile lifting equipment.
  • Assist in ensuring safe and efficient port operations by following safe systems of work, participating in toolbox talks and contributing to risk assessments.
  • Help maintain a safe working environment for yourself and colleagues by identifying hazards and adhering to safety procedures.
  • Carry out basic maintenance tasks on equipment and machinery to support operational readiness.
  • Maintain housekeeping standards in operational areas, ensuring they remain clean, organised and safe.
  • Assist with mooring operations, including securing and releasing vessels as required.
  • Support traffic operations, helping to direct and manage the safe movement of vehicles on site.
  • Contribute to the smooth running of daily port activity by working flexibly across a variety of operational tasks.
  • Gain a broad understanding of how a busy port functions, building the skills and experience needed for a long‑term career in port operations.

Where you'll work

Old Quay
Old Quay Street
Teignmouth
TQ14 8ES

Training

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

Training provider

SEAREGS TRAINING LTD

Training course

Port operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Follow port sector procedures in line with sector regulations and legislation.
  • Follow procedures in line with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Identify and report hazards and risks in the workplace. Take action to mitigate hazards and risk.
  • Comply with safe systems of work and apply control measures.
  • Identify hazardous goods.
  • Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Comply with port security measures.
  • Follow instructions provided from information, for example, text, data, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, or permits to work.
  • Use equipment and machinery.
  • Follow procedures to ensure safe movement of traffic, goods, or pedestrians around the port.
  • Carry out pre-operational checks.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow techniques for waste management across the port.
  • Escalate issues of concern.
  • Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
  • Use information systems. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Record or enter information - paper based or electronic.
  • Apply team working and wellbeing principles.
  • Uses cargo handling techniques.
  • Use toolbox talks.
  • Classify cargo.
  • Load, unload, or store cargo.
  • Follow a loading, lift or stow plan.
  • Identify, record and report pre-existing damage or new damage.
  • Secures the load, for example to maintain the integrity of the cargo, or to prevent damage to the vessel.
  • Use techniques to coordinate planned cargo movements for example, hand signalling or radio communication.
  • Provide equipment or assistance for passengers to embark and disembark a vessel.
  • Follow procedures for secure passenger access.
  • Carry out operational tasks related to passenger vessels, such as loading and unloading commodities and products, assisting the vessel, its occupants and vessel staff.
  • Follow procedures for damaged, lost, unclaimed, unlabelled, unaccompanied, or suspect baggage.
  • Use techniques and equipment to handle baggage and items.
  • Complete site checks.
  • Take action to mitigate the risks to passengers where there are adverse weather conditions.
  • Identify customer needs and deliver a service to meet those needs, resolving queries or problems.
  • Follow port sector procedures in line with sector regulations and legislation.
  • Follow procedures in line with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Identify and report hazards and risks in the workplace. Take action to mitigate hazards and risk.
  • Comply with safe systems of work and apply control measures.
  • Identify hazardous goods.
  • Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Comply with port security measures.
  • Follow instructions provided from information, for example, text, data, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, or permits to work.
  • Use equipment and machinery.
  • Follow procedures to ensure safe movement of traffic, goods, or pedestrians around the port.
  • Carry out pre-operational checks.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow techniques for waste management across the port.
  • Escalate issues of concern.
  • Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
  • Use information systems. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Record or enter information - paper based or electronic.
  • Apply team working and wellbeing principles.

Training schedule

Mix of online and block release training with provider at SeaRegs based in Plymouth.  

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3 and above)
  • Maths (grade 3 and above)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness
  • Driving licence

Other requirements

Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Being comfortable working in all different types of weather

 

About this employer

We continuously invest in the infrastructure, equipment and skills we need to handle a vast array of cargo safely, efficiently and sustainably. Our expert teams work collaboratively to build long-term partnerships and deliver the right supply chain solutions for our customers, including value-added services and brand new facilities tailored to suit their business needs. ABP also offers large areas of development land across a wide range of strategic port locations, capable of attracting investment and delivering transformational benefits for the economy both locally and nationally. As a vital part of the supply chains of businesses throughout the nation, our 21 ports support 200,000 jobs and contribute £15 billion to the economy every year, handling £157 billion of trade. ABP is dedicated to supporting the communities which rely on our ports. We are dedicated to serving our customers. We are dedicated to fulfilling our mission: Keeping Britain Trading.

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

Company benefits

Pension scheme, BUPA medical and dentist

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

Port Operative, Assistant Operations Manager.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS

Amy Drury

amy.drury@abports.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019693.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026

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