Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3) International Freight Forwarding Specialist
Role overview
Level: 3
Duration: 24 months
Awarding organisation:
Skills for Logistics
Skills for Logistics
Code: AP3XIFF
International Freight Forwarding Specialists are employed to ensure that the company they work for, and their clients remain compliant with all applicable customs, import and export laws and regulations. They understand customs rules, regulations and terms of trade, know where to find information and when to escalate issues.
They have specific skills around customs procedures, classification of goods, allocating modes of transport and all relevant paper and electronic documentation. International Freight Forwarding Specialists are responsible for a variety of tasks on a daily basis such as shipment bookings, creating the appropriate documents, liaison with carriers, ports and handling agents, transport requirements, sales quotations, invoicing, financial procedures as well as the many customs processes and regimes they will come across. Clients must be kept informed proactively of progress and this requires skills and behaviours in customer service linked to an appreciation of international cultures, time zones and their effect on transit times. International Freight Forwarding Specialists have the ability to communicate effectively with people from different countries, taking account of differences in working practices.
Entry requirements
- Five GCSE’s at Grade C/4 (or above) including Level 2 or GCSE C/4 or above in English, Maths and Science.
- If an Apprentice has not already achieved Level 2 (GCSE C/4 or above) English & Maths they must: -Study for and achieve Functional Skills Level 2 English & Maths.
- Initial Assessment on enrolment Level 2 Maths & English
Qualifications obtained
Level 3 International Frieght Forwarding Apprenticeship Standard
Programme includes
Core Knowledge:
The commercial basis for the consolidation of goods being moved across the world and the purpose, function, structure and organisation of the freight forwarding industry.
World geography, political boundaries, time zones and travel times.
The principles underpinning the regulatory systems that apply to freight forwarding and the import and export of goods and the function of the key regulatory organisations.
The terms of international sales (Incoterms).
International freight documentation and cargo booking procedures.
The range and characteristics of road, ocean, and air transport and the determinants of their use in freight forwarding.
The role of freight forwarders in the selection of modes of transport as goods are moved around the world.
The importance of marine insurance and carrier’s liability.
The classifications of hazardous goods and the restrictions applied to their movement.
The use of documentary letters of credit to reduce financial risk in international trade
The key features of international customs and excise regimes.
The differences in how goods are moved under the different customs controls that apply in the UK, the EU and internationally and the purpose, function and range of Customs Procedure Codes.
The entry, transit and exit procedures that apply to goods being imported and exported.
The key contents of the Integrated Tariff of the United Kingdom (UK Trade Tariff).
How to find out about the preferences/trade agreements that may apply in international trade.
Business accountancy and taxation principles.
Commercial invoicing, including appreciation of foreign currencies.
Billing and accruals.
Pricing and spot-quoting.
Has a practical understanding of:
The importance of accurate and timely communication with customers both internally and externally to own organisation.
The importance of proactively monitoring shipments during all stages of the international door-to-door process, including the monitoring of departure/arrival times of bookings via trucks, vessels, flights, customs and transit delays in foreign countries and the impact of time zone differences.
The importance of communicating any delays (domestic or international) to the customer in a proactive manner, in line with their KPIs and giving them as much notice as possible to enable them to plan contingencies.
The principles of customer service, customer relationship management and complaint handling.
The economic importance of respecting business and social cultures in all aspects of international trading.
The business and social cultures of overseas countries with whom you trade, how these cultures differ from those of the UK and the impact this has on the style, content and timing of written and verbal communication with them
Core behaviours:
Apprentices must develop the following behaviours which are integral to successful performance in the workplace. These are:
Shows commercial acumen.
Is entrepreneurial.
Is proactive.
Highly organised, careful and diligent in data entry and written work.
Seeks to learn from experienced colleagues and team members.
Is open to feedback on work performance.
Seeks to build respect among colleagues and customers.
Demonstrates teamwork.
Communicates accurately and effectively with colleagues and customers.
Is a good listener.
Where can you work?
Typical examples of occupational roles include:
Air Freight; Ocean Freight; Road Freight;
Key information
Starts
- The apprenticeship programme will start in. Roll on Roll off basis.
Enrolment
- The enrolment process will be completed prior to the start date of the apprenticeship.
Delivery
- The apprenticeship will be delivered via blended learning mode of delivery with work place visit observations.
Awarding organisation
Skills for Logistics
Progression opportunities
Level 4 Apprenticeship Standards
Level 5 Operational Departmental Manager
Full-time employment
Additional information
Current Delivery Involves:
- A progress review every 12 weeks with dedicated trainer assessor and line manager / workplace mentor
- Observations and professional discussions with dedicated trainer assessor in the workplace & blended learning mode of delivery
