Apprentice Freight Operations Coordinator

500 LOGISTICS LIMITED

Berkshire (RG19 4EP)

Closes in 31 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 24 August 2026

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Summary

Join 500 Logistics as an Apprentice Freight Operations Coordinator. Complete a Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist qualification while learning to quote, book and manage international road, air and sea shipments. An exciting opportunity for an organised, ambitious person to build a long-term career in logistics.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Between £8-£12.71 per hour depending on experience

Training course
International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Friday 9am- 5pm 30 minute unpaid lunch break

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 5 October 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

Join 500 Logistics, a rapidly growing freight forwarding business, as part of our Thatcham-based operations team.

This is an exciting opportunity to begin a varied, fast-paced career with excellent long-term development opportunities.

No previous freight experience is required. However, this is a busy role involving customers, suppliers, deadlines and changing priorities. We are looking for someone who learns quickly, communicates confidently and takes pride in producing accurate work.

As your knowledge and confidence develop, you will:

  • Prepare quotations for road, air and sea freight movements
  • Book transport and coordinate shipments from collection to delivery
  • Prepare documentation and arrange customs clearances
  • Arrange collection and delivery slots with suppliers and receivers
  • Monitor shipments and respond proactively to delays or changes
  • Keep customers fully informed throughout their shipment
  • Create and maintain accurate bookings in our freight management system
  • Communicate professionally with customers, hauliers, airlines, shipping lines and overseas agents
  • Check shipment information and documentation for accuracy
  • Support the wider team in delivering an exceptional service

Essential:

  • At least five GCSEs at grades 9–4/A*–C, including English and Mathematics, or equivalent
  • Strong written communication and numerical skills
  • Ability to absorb and apply new information, processes and systems quickly
  • A logical and practical approach to problem-solving
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accurate work
  • Confidence communicating professionally by telephone and email
  • Ability to organise competing priorities in a busy environment
  • Willingness to take responsibility, use initiative and ask questions
  • A dependable, punctual and team-focused approach
  • Genuine motivation to complete the apprenticeship and build a long-term career

Please note: Dogs are regularly present in our office, so applicants should be comfortable working in a dog-friendly environment.

Desirable

  • A-levels, BTEC, T-level, college qualification, degree or other further or higher education
  • Experience from employment, work experience, volunteering, extracurricular activities or positions of responsibility
  • An interest in business, logistics, international trade, transport or customer service
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word
  • Achievement outside formal education, such as part-time work, sport, volunteering or personal projects

We are interested in potential, not just previous experience. You may be leaving school or college, have attended university, be changing career or already have workplace experience. What matters most is that you are capable, dependable, curious and motivated to learn.

Where you'll work

Unit 1
Rivermead
Berkshire
RG19 4EP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SR APPRENTICESHIPS 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

Alongside completing your Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship, you will receive practical training from our experienced team. You will learn to quote, book and coordinate international road, air and sea freight movements from enquiry through to final delivery.

More training information

SR Apprenticeships is a leading national training provider delivering Apprenticeship programmes throughout the UK.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 5 GCSEs (grade C/4/Pass)
  • English (grade C/4/Pass)
  • Maths (grade C/4/Pass)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Any subject (grade Pass)

BTEC in:

Any subject (grade 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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Confident phone manner
  • Positive
  • Dependable
  • Punctual

About this employer

500 Logistics provides international road, air and sea freight and customs services across a wide range of industries. We have twice been recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s fastest-growing businesses.

 

We offer the stability of an established, successful company alongside genuine career progression and prefer to develop and promote talented people from within. We are a hard-working, supportive team with a friendly and relaxed environment.

http://www.500logistics.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Annual performance-based bonus
  • Generous holiday allowance
  • Company pension
  • Opportunity to join our private healthcare plan after probation
  • Complimentary snacks, tea, coffee & soft drinks
  • Quarterly company social events
  • Excellent training and long-term progression opportunities

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Opportunity for further training and progression into more senior positions within the team.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049296.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)