Freight Operations Apprentice

CRANE WORLDWIDE UK LTD

Manchester (M90 4AN)

Closes on Wednesday 31 December 2025

Posted on 8 October 2025


Summary

The Apprentice will receive hands-on training in a wide range of operational, commercial, and administrative functions that ensure the smooth transportation of goods across the globe. In addition to internal training you will also complete a sector specific apprenticeship qualification.

Wage

£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm,

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 1 January 2026

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

2

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

The Apprentice will receive hands-on training in a wide range of operational, commercial, and administrative functions that ensure the smooth transportation of goods across the globe. In addition to internal training you will also complete a sector specific apprenticeship qualification.

  •  Support the coordination of international transport
  • Assist in planning and organising logistics routes and schedules.
  • Help prepare freight quotations and calculate transport and customs costs
  • Learn to handle shipping documentation and customs paperwork
  • Monitor and track shipments from origin to destination
  • Communicate with carriers, suppliers, and customers domestically and internationally
  • Gain experience in customer service and handling shipment inquiries
  • Support customs clearance and import/export procedures
  • Work with logistics software and systems to manage data and shipments
  • Collaborate with internal teams such as warehousing, sales, and operations
  • Assist with administrative tasks related to orders and shipments.
  • Understand industry regulations and compliance requirements
  • Participate in team meetings and training sessions
  • Learn to evaluate transport options and cost efficiencies
  • Contribute to smooth day-to-day operations within the logistics workflow

Where you'll work

Kingsley Hall
20 Bailey Lane, Manchester Airport
Manchester
M90 4AN

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 C or 4)
  • Maths (grade C or 4)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Any (grade A or D)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Background Check.

About this employer

Crane Worldwide Logistics is a leader in supply chain solutions with over 130 locations across 30 countries providing individual services that address our client's logistics challenges.

http://www.craneww.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship there will be new opportunities for the successful candidate in different departments dependant on business needs & requirements.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CRANE WORLDWIDE UK LTD

Jacqui Kenneally

jacqui.kenneally@craneww.com

+353879163717

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345575.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 31 December 2025

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