Freight Forwarding Apprentice

Summary

Join our Quoting & Pricing Apprenticeship to learn how to build competitive logistics rates, analyse costs, and support global shipments. Gain real-world experience, expert mentorship, and career growth in a fast-paced international industry.

Wage

£17,500 a year

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:30.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 24 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Prepare and send freight quotes for air, sea, and road shipments
• Liaise with carriers and partners to obtain competitive rates
• Analyse costs (freight, fuel, duties, surcharges) to build accurate pricing
• Update and maintain internal rate sheets and pricing systems
• Support the sales team with timely and competitive quotations
• Monitor market trends and rate fluctuations
• Assist with tender documents and larger customer pricing proposals
• Communicate with overseas agents to coordinate international pricing
• Ensure quotes align with company margins and service requirements
• Follow up on quotes and track conversion into bookings

Where you'll work

BUILDING 13/14
SHEPPERTON MARINA
FELIX LANE
SHEPPERTON
TW17 8NS

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
• Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.

Training schedule

• On-the-job training delivered by the employer
• Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3
• Allocation of an apprenticeship delivery coach who will carry out regular training
• Assessment and support visits to ensure you acquire new learning, knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to progress and develop
• Identify, track and support 6 hours of off-the-job training activities
• Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade c or above)
• Maths (grade c or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

• Applicant must drive and live within 30 minutes commute to be considered for this role
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy under pressure
• Confident with numbers and comfortable analysing costs and pricing data
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to switch between tasks quickly without losing focus or quality
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• A sociable personality—able to engage in office conversation while staying productive
• Good team player who builds positive relationships across departments
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to learning
• Ability to work to deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Professional, reliable, and eager to develop a career in freight forwarding