Port Operative Apprentice
The Bristol Port Company
BRISTOL (BS11 9DQ)
Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 28 April 2026)
Posted on 16 April 2026
Contents
Summary
In this apprenticeship, you will receive hands-on training to operate a wide range of advanced equipment, from forklift trucks to state-of-the-art, computer-controlled cranes. If you’re looking to build a rewarding career with a company renowned for developing and supporting its people, apply today.
- Wage
-
£18,476 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£18,476 per annum (Year One) rising to £34,519 on completion (pay review pending 1 July 2025)
- Training course
- Port operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Flexible working shifts, some may be night shifts depending on age.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 17 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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10
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
You will learn:
- How to handle cargo in a modern port environment.
- How to operate modern cargo handly equipment, from cranes, to front end loaders and fork-lift trucks.
- To work effectively in a strong team.
- How to develop your team building skills to equip you for a successful career at the Port.
- Full safety training and supervision will be given and we will also give you all the safety equipment you need.
Where you'll work
St Andrew's House, St Andrew's Road
Avonmouth
BRISTOL
BS11 9DQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
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
- You will be pursuing a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard as a Port Operative, through Weston College.
- An assessor will conduct on-site observations to evaluate your progress, as well as supporting you in college throughout your apprenticeship.
- At the conclusion of your program, your qualification will be assessed through an End Point Assessment.
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
- Number skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
- Flexible
- Literacy skills
- Good numeracy skills
- Good literacy skills
Other requirements
There is a genuine business requirement for you to have a driving licence, or be working towards one. This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are found.
About this employer
Since 1991 The Bristol Port Company has invested over £450 million in equipment and people to create one of the country’s most technically advanced ports. We are now looking for motivated people to join our Apprenticeship Scheme.
After this apprenticeship
Potential employment after the completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026600.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 28 April 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.