Freight Association (BIFA) urges members to consider recruiting apprentices

BIFA urges members to consider recruiting apprentices

During National Apprenticeship Week 2023, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) is calling on freight forwarding and logistics companies to consider recruiting apprentices. Carl Hobbis, who heads the trade association’s training and development programme, believes it is essential to build capacity and equip a new generation with the knowledge and skills needed in a post-Brexit/post-Covid world.

The International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship, which BIFA helped create in 2018, has already seen 800 apprentices make successful progress down this pathway. To promote its effectiveness, Seetec Outsource released an informative video featuring Thomas Low (BIFA Apprentice of the Year Award winner), Good Logistics Group, and Carl himself. During the video, Carl addressed many of the misconceptions about apprenticeships.

At a recent networking event for freight forwarders organised by Headford Group, he also spoke about attracting young people to careers in the sector – something BIFA is practising for itself by recently appointing Brooke Neilson as its first apprentice! They are currently studying PR and Communications under an apprenticeship standard.

Carl emphasises that SMEs only have to pay £450 per apprentice for their training costs – which includes a BTEC customs qualification too – making it great value overall. Now more than ever we should be promoting these opportunities and giving youths employment possibilities within our industry.

Russell Field

Russell Field is Managing Director of a contemporary marketing agency with clients in the haulage, distribution, freight and logistics industries. Russell holds a BSc (Hons) in Marketing and specialises in digital marketing and research.

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