Freight Forwarding Apprentice

The work environment is fast-paced. Freight forwarding is highly reactive; you must be able to switch between tasks quickly as new shipment updates arrive. It is also team-oriented, with the apprentices working in small, supportive teams where they can learn from experienced ‘mentors’ or senior forwarders. Work is also collaborative, and you will regularly interact with people from different countries and time zones, requiring strong professional communication skills.

There are vacancies in either:

Ocean Freight: Booking space on shipping lines and handling containerised cargo Road Freight: Managing haulage collections and deliveries, often focusing on UK-EU trade routes

Core responsibilities/Learning:

Logistics Planning: Selecting the most cost-effective and timely transport routes Customs and Compliance: Mastering the essential documentation and regulations required for international trade, such as Incoterms and customs declarations Documentation: Preparing shipment bookings, bills of lading, and insurance contracts Commercial Skills: Calculating freight costs, providing quotes to customers, and managing invoices

Common weekly tasks include:

Morning Checks - Tracking shipments to see if they arrived at ports or airports on time; identifying any delays due to weather or technical issues Communication - Proactively emailing or calling customers with updates; liaising with hauliers, airlines, or shipping lines to book space for cargo Documentation -  Preparing essential paperwork such as Bills of Lading, Certificates of Origin, CMR’s or commercial invoices Customs Work - Learning to input data for customs declarations and ensuring shipments comply with HMRC regulations Finance - Checking supplier invoices against agreed tariffs and preparing quotes for new customer shipments

Training:

All on-site in Avonmouth, BS11 8DT.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

Business Administrator Level 3 Supporting and engaging with different parts of the organisation and interacting with internal or external customers. City of Bristol College Off-site in its entirety

Training Outcome:

 Full-time employment.

Employer Description:

Davies Turner is a long‑established UK‑based freight forwarding and logistics company, founded in 1870 and headquartered in London, with a nationwide network of branches. It specialises in multimodal transport and supply‑chain services, including air, ocean, road and rail freight, as well as warehousing and fulfilment. The company is known for combining a long family‑owned heritage with modern logistics capabilities and compliance‑focused operations.

Working Hours :
Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:30.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Problem solving skills,Team working,Willingness to Learn