Import & Export Freight Apprentice

Summary

This apprenticeship gives candidates the opportunity to start their career in the freight industry by completing the Level 3 International Freight Forwarder Specialist apprenticeship and gaining real-life hands-on experience within the industry, learning from industry experts.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 20 July 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

• Liaise with suppliers, transport providers, and internal departments (Sales, Procurement, Customer Service) to ensure orders are processed and delivered on time
• Generate and issue invoices to international customers once orders have been picked and packed
• Monitor and chase freight forwarders for accurate inbound shipping dates
• Troubleshoot import and export shipments i.e. paperwork issues/missing goods
• Coordinate with transport providers to obtain shipping labels and confirm collection arrangements
• Ensure that any specific documents required by a destination country are available at time of shipment. (e.g. Certificate of Origin, Carnet)
• Support export order preparation to ensure products are packed and documented to the required standard, both in terms of the contract and in accordance with international aviation/shipping security rules and regulations
• Submit customs declarations and/or provide clearance instructions to third-party customs broker when needed
• Negotiate preferential freight rates with suppliers
• Review supplier shipping documentation to track incoming deliveries and support booking-in process and monitor expected deliveries
• Support day-to-day operations across key departments, including picking, goods in, dispatch, production areas
• Assist in processing customer orders accurately and efficiently to meet On-Time Dispatch (OTD) targets
• Assist in managing stock levels and help maintain accurate inventory records
• Learn and operate warehouse systems (WMS/RF scanners) to manage stock and order flow
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues and suppliers
• Work closely with team managers to understand workload planning, prioritisation, and daily operational targets
• Support continuous improvement activities within the warehouse environment
• Adhere to all health and safety guidelines, including wearing appropriate protective equipment and following safe working practices
• Be aware of hazards within the warehouse and proactively identify and report any risks
• Support the promotion of a safe, clean, and organised working environment

Where you'll work

Butterfield
Great Marlings
Luton
LU2 8DL

Training

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

Training provider

SKILLS OFFICE NETWORK LTD

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

International Freight Forwarding Specialist Level 3.

Training as part of the apprenticeship will take place with Momentous Learning via monthly virtual workshops. The apprentice will also be learning on the job at Shoal Groups Luton office, with roughly one day a month spent with World Cargo Logistics to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the industry.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4/C)
• Mathematics (grade 4/C)

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
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age due to nature of the business and insurance purposes and ideally hold a valid driving licence.