The Sky’s the Limit! Abbey’s New Apprenticeship Scheme off to a Flying Start

Logistics Apprenticeships

The scope and breadth of what we do at Abbey Logistics is reflected in the range of apprenticeships and professional training opportunities we offer to talented and ambitious young people.

Providing hands-on experience in their chosen field, apprentices and trainees can play a key role in contributing to the future success of the company. In addition, they are gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience from industry leaders and earning a competitive salary, while studying towards a nationally recognised qualification.

A Structured Approach

In the last 2 years, Abbey’s HR team has worked with several colleges across the North West together with training providers, to develop an apprenticeship scheme that provides the structure and guidance needed to support young people starting their careers with Abbey Logistics.

Our apprenticeships and trainee schemes support multiple areas of the business, from finance and customer service, to vehicle technicians and drivers, with each business area providing a fully trained mentor from within that division to offer guidance and support for the duration of the apprenticeship. Wider support is provided by our HR team who work across all schemes as a point of contact for apprentices and to ensure both the apprentice and the business are getting maximum value from the scheme.

This year, eight highly capable and intelligent young people joined the business on our restructured scheme and we are already realising the benefits of a more organised and controlled approach, not only from the apprentices and trainees but also the managers responsible for them and the departments they operate in.

From L – R, Anthony Webster – Business Admin Apprentice, Lewis Cunningham – Purchase Ledger Apprentice, Ashleigh Wright – SHEQ Apprentice, Louis Ireland – Traffic Planner, Jack Kennedy – HGV Apprentice Fabricator, Jordan Mitchell – HGV Apprentice Technician, Liam Murray – Fleet Admin Apprentice, Charlie Lucy – Customer Service Apprentice

Support From Think Logistics

Thanks to industry volunteers, visiting schools and colleges, several of our apprentices this year are from the Think Logistics scheme.

The scheme visits schools and colleges across the country to showcase the opportunities available in logistics and the variety of careers on offer.

Think Logistics relies on the support of industry professionals to take the time out of their day jobs to speak with young people about the sector. This year’s intake at Abbey Logistics is proof of how that is time well spent and Think Logistics can help and benefit its supporters by finding the best young talent and future leaders for free! 

Adding Value

At the end of 2019, we invited our new recruits to join several members of our senior management team at Head Office. For several of them, it was the first time they’d been to Head Office and provided an opportunity to meet each other and share their experiences since joining.

They each delivered a short presentation on their role to their peers and senior managers, giving an overview of their journey with Abbey to date and their aspirations for the future. The event was important for us to show our new recruits how each of their roles supports the business and plays a key part in the success of the Group.

A Tried and Tested Approach

Apprenticeship schemes and training programmes for young people is a key growth strategy championed by Abbey Logistics CEO, Steve Granite and delivered by Abbey’s HR team. Having joined Abbey as an apprentice aged 16, Steve is an example of what can be achieved through earn while you learn schemes, and he appreciates the responsibility he and Abbey have as an employer to provide young people the opportunities and experience they need to start their careers.

As a business, Abbey has also seen the benefits young people can bring to the organisation, from fresh ideas to renewed energy. As the sector faces a skills shortage, Abbey is doing what it can to prepare for the future and ensure the security of the business for many years to come.