Logistics industry targets apprentices

John Lewis is to run a driver apprenticeship scheme and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has launched an apprentice affiliate membership grade, coinciding with National Apprentice Week.

The John Lewis scheme will target driver shortfall, with the retailer looking to bring 41 apprentices on board in 2015 with its scheme run in partnership with The Real Apprenticeship Company.

Under the scheme, two types of apprenticeships are available, with recruitment for the roles continuing throughout the year: six for the John Lewis Primary Transport fleet and 35 for John Lewis Customer Delivery fleet. All roles will be based at various hubs across England.

Suzy Welby, education design lead at John Lewis, said: “We are looking for young people who are passionate about what they do and the service they provide. Our drivers are ambassadors of our brand and their actions are a direct reflection on the business in the same way as any of our other Partners in a selling environment, so we are looking for people who are willing to take on that responsibility.”

All apprentices will receive full training to drive heavy goods vehicles and develop their geographical knowledge. There will also be an emphasis on delivering outstanding customer service with all Customer Delivery apprentices taking part in John Lewis’s Much More Than A Driver (MMTAD) training scheme, giving drivers the skills and training they need to meet customer expectations.

The CILT believes that encouraging more companies to employ apprentices will contribute to filling the current skills gap in the transport and logistics sector.

CEO Steve Agg said: “Our new apprenticeship member grade will support young people in the early stages of their career. Allowing them to achieve their full potential and ensuring they take their professional development seriously.”

Joining the CILT as an apprentice member provides the individual with access to over 350 national, regional, and local sector-specific events giving the apprentice the opportunity to meet and network with experienced professionals in their chosen fields. Other benefits include unlimited access to the largest specialist collection of logistics, supply chain and transport information, as well as legal and compliance information, access to the monthly journal and a weekly-sector specific newsletter.