Operations Apprentice
DHL AVIATION (UK) LIMITED
Leicestershire (DE74 2TR)
Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026)
Posted on 8 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Kick‑start your Career with the World’s Best Workplace™
Operations Apprentice's required – Sort & Ramp Hub Operations – fixed term contract 15 months.
- Wage
-
£22,785 a year
- Training course
- Supply chain warehouse operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
17:00 - 01:30 flexibility will be required - Days to be confirmed.
Must be 18 years of age to apply.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 3 months
- Positions available
-
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
Key Responsibilities:
Sort Operations:
- Assist with the accurate sorting, scanning, and labelling of shipments
- Build and break down pallets, cages, and Unit Load Devices (ULDs)
- Ensure freight is routed to the correct destination within tight operational timelines
- Identify and report damaged, misrouted, or non‑compliant shipments
- Maintain high housekeeping standards to support a safe working environment
Ramp Operations:
- Support loading and unloading of aircraft and/or vehicles in accordance with load plans
- Assist with ramp and airside activities under supervision (where applicable)
- Use ground support equipment once trained and authorised
- Work closely with operational teams to support on‑time departures
Health, Safety & Compliance:
- Work in line with all Health & Safety, security, and operational procedures
- Wear appropriate PPE and follow safe manual handling techniques
- Report hazards, incidents, and near misses promptly
- Comply with regulatory and company standards at all times
Learning & Development:
- Complete all elements of the apprenticeship programme, including off‑the‑job training and course work
- Take responsibility for personal learning, development, and performance
- Gather workplace evidence and participate in assessments as required
- Rotate across operational areas to build broad hub knowledge
Where you'll work
Building 121 EMA Cargo West
East Midlands Airport
Castle Donington
Leicestershire
DE74 2TR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DERBY BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED
Training course
Supply chain warehouse operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Conduct risk assessments within the working environment.
- Apply safe working practices in line with associated health and safety legislation and company policy.
- Receive products in line with organisational procedures.
- Store and pick products in line with organisational procedures.
- Dispatch products in line with organisational procedures.
- Decant, pack products in line with organisational procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally, for example internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate in writing with others, for example internal and external customers, colleagues and managers.
- Load and unload products, considering the product that is to be moved and its current and planned destination.
- Use tools and equipment to aid in product handling.
- Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
- Locate and use operational information, electronic or paper based, required to fulfil contractual requirements.
- Select, prepare, and use packaging materials that reduce waste and mitigate environmental impacts.
- support under instruction scheduled and unscheduled stock taking activities relevant to the organisation and product.
- Identify and escalate problems beyond own responsibility.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Conducts handover activities.
- Conduct risk assessments within the working environment.
- Apply safe working practices in line with associated health and safety legislation and company policy.
- Receive products in line with organisational procedures.
- Store and pick products in line with organisational procedures.
- Dispatch products in line with organisational procedures.
- Decant, pack products in line with organisational procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally, for example internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate in writing with others, for example internal and external customers, colleagues and managers.
- Load and unload products, considering the product that is to be moved and its current and planned destination.
- Use tools and equipment to aid in product handling.
- Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
- Locate and use operational information, electronic or paper based, required to fulfil contractual requirements.
- Select, prepare, and use packaging materials that reduce waste and mitigate environmental impacts.
- support under instruction scheduled and unscheduled stock taking activities relevant to the organisation and product.
- Identify and escalate problems beyond own responsibility.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Conducts handover activities.
Training schedule
Training will take place within the workplace
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
- Must be willing to work towards completing the apprenticeship qualification
- Must be willing to pass a DBS check
- It is desirable to be physically fit due to the nature of the role
- Must be 18 years and over due to the nature of the role
About this employer
DHL is the most international company in the world with a global network in over 220 countries and territories across the globe and a workforce exceeding 500,000 employees serving 2.8 million customers worldwide. We pride ourselves on our inclusive and diverse workforce, as demonstrated through our initiatives such as DHL4All.
Company benefits
- Shift allowance
- Annual bonus (up to 5%)
- My DHL Rewards - discounts at 3,000+ retailers
- Pension (up to 6% company contribution)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Spark - wellbeing support
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Career Progression:
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, opportunities may be available in roles such as:
- Operations Agent (Sort or Ramp)
- Senior Operations Agent
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DERBY BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED
hguktalent@dhl.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041435.
Apply now
Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.