DACHSER UK, a subsidiary of the international German logistics provider, is firmly committed to the ongoing training of employees in all areas of its operation. Dachser UK’s HR Manager, Rachel Bussey, explains some of the details of the training programmes that she and her department have implemented to both motivate and improve the skill levels of staff. These efforts are fundamental to the company’s ongoing success and development throughout its UK operation.
IF you’re interested in logistics and driven to develop your knowledge and professional skills, Dachser’s apprentice programme can provide the perfect opportunity. The scheme is now in its eleventh year and has grown significantly within this time.
Providing experience in several different areas of the business, the programme offers apprentices a chance to earn while they learn and boost their continuous professional development. The programme is designed to give an overview of the whole business and allows apprentices to understand the importance of the role each department plays. Dachser is committed to recognising and understanding young people’s needs, and has created a tailored and clearly defined career path into logistics for their ambitious apprentices.
Welcomed into the Dachser family from day one, the apprentices will learn the processes, service and ethos and, by the end of the programme, they will have become a valuable asset to Dachser with solid industry knowledge and values. On successful completion of the programme, each apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position within Dachser.
Dachser will continue its search for future talent, in conjunction with maintaining focus on delivering the best apprenticeship opportunities available.
We have successfully introduced the International Freight Forwarding apprenticeship at NVQ Level 3 incorporating customs, logistics, operational and financial functions. The British International Freight Association (BIFA) support this training through the BTEC in customers’ processes and procedures. We are proud to have such a successful programme, affirmed by our apprentice Harry Underwood being selected as finalist in the BIFA Apprentice of the Year award last year. Harry started his apprenticeship in 2015 and took up a permanent position in the export department two years later. In addition, Harry has also qualified as an in-house trainer for our internal freight management system.
Dachser’s commitment to continuous learning means we offer additional opportunities to further develop skills after the initial apprenticeship through progression onto the NVQ Level 5 and even the NVQ Level 7 Chartered Manager Apprenticeship. Other apprenticeships available are our Warehouse to Wheels programme, based at our Rochdale branch, which focuses on training home-grown driver talent, Warehousing and Storage NVQ Level 2 and Business Administration NVQ Level 3. This learning and development is not exclusive to new apprentices joining Dachser, we also support all our current employees by encouraging them to seize these opportunities to help shape their future.
The entry level requirement for the International Freight Forwarding apprenticeship is an education to A-level standard. For the other apprenticeships, a good level of education is essential.
The Dachser graduate training scheme, launched in 2016, incorporates a two-year programme designed to give graduates a real sense of autonomy. Throughout their training, the graduates spend time in different departments to understand how the logistics function operates in its entirety, and are tasked with writing a report on their findings and recommendations which they then present to the General Manager for discussion. We have found that this approach encourages communication and in-depth analysis, allowing the graduate to be part of the strategy for the development and growth of Dachser UK.
To be accepted onto the graduate programme, applicants must have a degree in logistics and supply chain management. However, we also have a scheme for graduates with a degree in any discipline, and these applicants are offered the opportunity to study at NVQ level 5.
We are proud to have created an apprenticeship programme that will deliver the next generation into logistics. Every year we look forward to welcoming more apprentices and graduates into our business.
Contact Dachser 01604 433100
