“It’s a tough call, with so much uncertainty facing the freight forwarding and logistics sector, but now is the time to step up apprentice recruitment,” says the British International Freight Association (BIFA).

During National Apprentice Week, BIFA decided to assist its members in navigating the perceived red tape around recruiting apprentices.  The trade association aims to guide and reassure its SME members about apprentice recruitment by sharing its own experience of employing its first two apprentices.

BIFA member services director Carl Hobbis, who has responsibility for the trade association’s training and development programme said, “More than 1,000 apprentices have already started the pathway, with great success. However, the 184 apprentices that have started the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship during the last 12 months, represent a reduction of 27 per cent, year-on-year.”

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“Forwarding businesses have many difficult commercial decisions to make, but shelving apprenticeships should not be one of them.,” Hobbis said. “We are at an important crossroads, and we must protect the future of the sector, which has an ageing employee dynamic and needs an influx of new blood.”

BIFA is reminding its members that for SMEs, the training costs of the International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship can be as little as £450/$570/€526 per apprentice. It includes a BTEC Customs qualification for the apprentice.

BIFA Director General, Steve Parker concludes, “Now, more than ever, we need to promote the industry and give young people employment opportunities. We have had an apprenticeship standard for international freight forwarding for six years and the sector continues to be in the spotlight as a result of the current supply chain disruptions, so what a great time to give someone an opportunity of a career in freight forwarding and logistics.”