A variety of apprenticeships offered in partnership with Bournville College, including those in logistics operations management, customer service, business administration and management enabled 25 employees at DHL Freight in Dunstable to learn new skills closely related to their day-to-day work.

DHL Freight staff and managers were in support of apprenticeships from day one. They embraced the scheme at every level and where they were unable to offer an apprenticeship, they opted for an NVQ in a relevant subject, again with the aid from Bournville College.

Cathy Kirk, customer services manager at DHL Freight, has been influential in ensuring that appropriate training was available to office staff based at Dunstable depot. She said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent idea! They enable us to shape up the skills of our employees in the way that suits our business.

“Apprenticeships don’t only lead to nationally recognised qualifications they also help apprentices build their confidence and serve as a proof of knowledge that they can do their job. All in all, skilled employees help to raise standards within a company itself and so I’d encourage more employers to sign up for apprenticeships.”

Laura Freeman, aged 21 from Dunstable, works as a freight agent and is one of those undertaking training in the area of logistics operations management.

She’s been working at DHL Freight since April 2010 and cannot fault her employer for giving her the opportunity to develop her skills.

“I thoroughly enjoy what I do and being able to learn practical skills linked to my job role is perfect. I feel I’ve developed a whole new range of skills that enable me to deliver a more efficient service to our customers and fellow colleagues and therefore give something back to my employer for investing in me,” said Laura.

Jennifer Johnson, Apprenticeship Programmes Manager at Bournville College, reflected: “This is a clear example of how apprenticeships are meeting the needs of industry. Innovative delivery is ensuring that each learner and employer we engage with benefits as much as possible from the apprenticeship scheme.”

Recent employee appraisals at DHL Freight indicated a 100 per cent positive response to apprenticeship and NVQ training with Bournville College which resulted in their commitment to offer every employee an opportunity to undertake one of these training packages.

* Do you want your organisation to benefit from skilled, committed and motivated workforce, just like DHL Freight? Whatever the size of your organisation, Bournville College specialises in delivering apprenticeships within a range of industries such as logistics, railway engineering, manufacturing, business administration, healthcare, construction and many more. To discuss the requirements of your business, call Jennifer Johnson, Apprenticeship Programmes Manager at Bournville College on 0121 222 5656 or email apprentice@bournville.ac.uk.