Inspiring the next Metro generation – a platform for a logistics career

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) the freight forwarding trade association is launching a campaign to encourage schools to promote careers in logistics, forwarding and the supply chain, and Metro is helping them, with public-speaking support at Multimodal.

The COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of supply chains and the role of the freight forwarder in maintaining the flow of products and with schools returning for a new academic year, BIFA has committed to promoting careers within the freight and logistics sector to students.

Carl Hobbis, BIFA executive director and training development manager, says: “Since the Brexit vote and the onset of the Covid pandemic, global supply chains have been in the news more than ever, so what a great time to encourage someone to consider a career in the international freight sector that manages those supply chains.”

Apprenticeships are certainly something that a lot of students are considering, rather than taking on the debt associated with a degree, and there is a specific apprenticeship standard for International Freight Forwarding, that Metro helped BIFA in establishing over three years.

Metro apprentices complete the International Freight Forwarding Specialist Apprenticeship (IFFS) over 18 months, in an immersive, on-the-job, learning experience, that covers the complexities of air, sea and surface freight.

At higher education Metro engages directly with regional universities to introduce the logistics and supply chain sector to undergraduates, with the opportunity to experience a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, during a placement year.

At the forthcoming industry expo, Multimodal, which takes place at the NEC from the 19th to 21st October, Colin Smith, Metro’s Training & Career Development Manager will join a panel discussion with BIFA’s Carl Hobbis, to consider ’How to implement an effective apprenticeship scheme’. (SEE BELOW)

Colin commented. “It is really gratifying to see how our apprentices have progressed within the business and flourished professionally, since joining Metro with no prior knowledge. 

The International Freight Forwarding Apprenticeship course provides a really solid foundation for their career and encourages them to learn more, whilst retaining a focus on core capabilities.”

“My most pressing challenge is finding the next apprentice, the next undergraduate and the next cohort of graduates, by re-engaging  with local universities, colleges and schools, that took such a hit at the start of the pandemic.”

We are actively seeking new apprentices and are recruiting in other more experienced roles. If you, or someone you know, would enjoy working with a progressive colleague-focused business, please send us a CV, with covering letter to cv@metroshipping.co.uk

How to implement an effective apprenticeship scheme
MULTIMODAL 2021
21st October 10.30-11.30 – PORT OF TYNE THEATRE
Carl Hobbis BIFA (Chair)
Colin Smith, Metro Shipping
Marnie Rose, Seetec Outsource Training & Skills
Click HERE to register for Multimodal and join the event

For a fulfilling career with many opportunities please contact Colin and we will consider your application and respond to you immediately. As we continue to expand as a business one of our key priorities is to encourage new people to join Metro and our industry, providing a consistent and reliable career path for all our colleagues.