Freight Operations Apprentice

ARCA TRADE GROUP LTD

Rayleigh (SS6 7FY)

Closes in 22 days (Monday 9 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Summary

In line with our continuous growth we have an exciting opportunity to join our small but busy team, learning end-to-end freight forwarding processes to support you in developing a career in the Freight & Logistics sector. 

Wage

£17,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary reviewed at regular intervals.

Training course
International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 16 March 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

  • Liaising with hauliers, shippers, shipping lines, customers, and our warehouse staff for day-to-day operations as the first point of contact.
  • Requesting trailer/vessel departure details and documents from hauliers/shippers.
  • Checking full documentation for shipments for import clearance in UK.
  • Entering jobs in our logistics software accurately and in time.
  • Sharing shipment notices and requesting customs clearance instruction (including EORI and commodity codes, any VAT breakdown) from importers in UK.
  • Updating clearance instruction sheet for new customers.
  • Sharing customs clearance instructions with our clearance agent.
  • Following up the trailers/vessel arrivals to customs.
  • Raising related invoices in our system for VAT/Duty, customs clearance, and freight and any other payments (such as examination, parking fee etc.).
  • Informing accounts department to follow-up payments prior trailers/vessels arrivals for VAT/Duty and cash account freight payments.
  • Arranging deliveries in advance prior to vessels arrivals for sea freight and arranging domestic deliveries once goods received in our warehouse and making delivery on trailer bookings in advance for road freights prior trailers arrival.
  • Raising related port locals, handling, storage, detention & demurrage, clearance, parking, domestic deliveries, and any other related invoices to customers.
  • Adding related domestic delivery costs, local costs and any other costs involved into system accurately and in time.
  • Follow up domestic deliveries.
  • Arranging domestic collection from shippers for export movement to pass haulier.
  • Making sure costs received from hauliers/shipping lines/3rd party suppliers are correct and processed on the system accurately and in time.
  • Response general enquiries from haulier/customers and liaise with domestic hauliers and customers for ad hoc issues.
  • Additional responsibilities can be allocated based on mutual agreement.

Where you'll work

Unit 19
Arterial Park
Rayleigh
SS6 7FY

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

  • 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.

More training information

Alongside apprenticeship training with a specialist tutor, you will receive in-house training and support.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
  • Maths (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Any (grade A to D pass)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working

Other requirements

Strong work ethic and someone who is keen to learn new knowledge & skills on-the-job.

About this employer

Arca Trade was founded in Basildon, Essex, UK, as a trustworthy trading partner.

Arca Trade’s current management team use their combined experience and motivation to deliver an ‘innovative and competitive’ logistics services experience founded in the principles of reliability, accessibility and flexibility.

Arca Trade provides services in two main areas, Transportation and Warehousing services.

We offer an understanding that focuses on the environment, values its employees and builds long-term relationships; Arca Trade offers competitive and tailor-made solutions with a business partnership understanding; working together with collaboration, communication and cooperation achieves the greatest results.

http://www.arcatrade.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free on-site parking.

After this apprenticeship

We expect the successful candidate to become a permanent, valued employee with potential to develop into supervisory, management positions over time.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014670.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Monday 9 March 2026 at 11:59pm)