Apprentice Import Operator
SHIPCO TRANSPORT LTD
BASILDON (SS15 6TH)
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 14 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Fantastic opportunity to develop a career in the fast-paced freight sector, learning transport route planning, customs clearance, and customer service. You will gain a recognised qualification along with new skills and knowledge.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
- Training course
- International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 10 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
Key focus areas:-
Submission of customer bookings in line with Customer Service SOP’s – to include:
- Monitoring and actioning emails from origin offices, agents, clients, and vendors on a daily basis in relation to the tasks set out within the role.
- Handling of all Delivery requests for the Import Team and any queries that are related to this portion of the movement.
- Handling of routed bookings placed in the UK which will include placing the initial booking through the internal system to notify origin, updating the customer frequently with the current status, providing the draft bl for checking and ensuring Shipped on Board and Final bl is proactively provided upon sailing.
- Handling of Import Customs Clearances where required.
- Answering phone calls from clients and vendors daily and promptly, also returning calls for any messages left in voicemail.
- Maximising revenue through value “add on” and working efficiently to minimize errors and unnecessary costs.
- Ensuring all costs are accrued for accurately and vendors are rating based on our tariff agreements, unless specifically outside of this.
- Develop experience in a Customer Service setting.
- Ensure all relevant & correct costs are filed into internal system accordingly.
Where you'll work
1 ARGENT COURT
SYLVAN WAY
SOUTHFIELDS BUSINESS PARK
BASILDON
SS15 6TH
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 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.
More training information
Training on internal systems will be provided by the employer.
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
- Initiative
About this employer
Shipco Transport, established in 1988 as a subsidiary of Denmark's Scan-Group, is one of the world's leading neutral NVOCCs (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers) and airfreight wholesalers. We operate globally with over 90 offices across 30+ countries, serving exclusively freight. Shipco provides a comprehensive suite of intermodal transportation solutions to it's customers.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Once the successful candidate has successfully completed the apprenticeship we expect them to develop into a permanent team member.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED
Paul Cotton
paul.cotton@seetec.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042006.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm)