Apprentice Ocean Freight Forwarder

Summary

As an apprentice, you’ll work for the company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff and great progression opportunities.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

9.00am - 5.30pm, with 1 hour lunch.

38 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 8 September 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

Major Duties and Responsibilities of Ocean Freight forwarder 

• Ensure smooth and timely freight process flow
• Track and Trace Files and reporting
• Use both export and import dashboards timely
• Ensure accurate and timely billing
• Contribute to maintain good relationships and good customer service, with customers and suppliers
• Meet compliance at all times to regulations internal and external in accordance with government regulations
• Understand department process flow, and look for best practices to improve operational efficiency and productivity
• Timely responses to emails and requests (internal and external)
• Escalation of problems to Management when necessary
• Prepare customs entries in Customsware or other customs software
• Understand the elements of the Import & Export customs SOP
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry into operating systems
• Ensure timely customs clearance of shipments
• Monitor customs clearances and communicate with Customers

Where you'll work

Sills Road
Willow Farm Business Park, Castle Donington
Derby
DE74 2US

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

• 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

All training delivered during your working hours, via monthly tutor workshops, also BIFA workshops on teams

More training information

• International freight forwarding specialist
• Equal to Level 3 (A level)
• Level 3 International freight forwarding specialist Apprenticeship Standard qualification
• On the job training delivered by the employer
• Apprentices under 18 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 off the job training activities
• Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
• Maths (grade A*-C/ 4-9)

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