Ocean Freight Operations Apprentice

DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING (UK) LIMITED

Trafford Park (M17 1QA)

Closes in 29 days (Thursday 30 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 31 March 2026

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Summary

As an OFR Operations Apprentice, you’ll develop towards becoming an International Freight Forwarder, whose overall aim is to manage or support our customers’ logistics by arranging the movement of Freight via Ocean. This can include Exporting and Importing Goods from and to the UK and across the World.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

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 May 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

  • Develop relationships with customers (internal/external)
  • Ensure all customer enquiries are responded to promptly and professionally
  • Adhere to Customs Compliance procedures and documentation
  • Liaise directly with DGF departments on shipment planning and coordination
  • Liaise directly with DGF Transport & Warehouse teams on shipment planning and coordination
  • Liaise directly with overseas offices on shipment planning and coordination
  • Manage allocated customers against agreed Standard Operating Procedure
  • Use Cargo Wise to create, manage and maintain shipments
  • Carry out any other duties as required
  • 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
  • Complete all statutory and mandatory training

Where you'll work

Princemead Place Trafford Park Manchester
Mosley Road
Trafford Park
M17 1QA

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
  • 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)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Ability to follow a process

About this employer

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.

https://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

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000024341.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Thursday 30 April 2026 at 11:59pm)