Qualifications in the Express Logistics sector
IOC Chair, Carl Lomas,
Qualifications are key to our sector, both for compliance and future workforce, from driver front line to management. The IOC have been working closely with FE colleges, Universities, LEPs and DfE/IFA, The IOC have a 4 module workbook pack to accompany the express delivery operative level 2 apprenticeship, candidates are funded by levy. Candidates who complete the workbook on their apprenticeship journey are eligible for associate membership of the IOC.
A degree in Express logistics for next generation managers
IOC has two key qualification routes, management & delivery. For management, IOC is working with The University of West London in the Heathrow logistics hot spot and Derby University in the heart of the East Midlands gateway to deliver the first-ever undergraduate degree dedicated to our sector. A level six apprenticeship degree standard passed by the IFA. A level six text book is nearing publication.
An apprenticeship for Express operatives
There is level two apprenticeship for express operatives, it is free to candidates and funded by levy. The ‘Courier Trailblazer’ was a phase three application and evolved into ‘Trailblazer Express Delivery’, the standard submitted to BIS Nov 2015, live apprenticeship qualification in 2019. A full delivery pack for learners, a four workbook reflective journal portfolio to match the standard went live in 2020, rich in employer operator content. Employer support came from APC to Yodel, nationals from Hermes to DPD to SMEs such as Swift in Liverpool and GLH in London.
Justin Moore, chaired the strong employer group meetings talking Express driver operative at Level two.
We have outstanding contributions from so many employers, nationals, networks and local SMEs. The standard that will set the future qualification for the front line of our sector. It’s a big thank-you all round for everyone who has made this possible. This will be a vocational qualification for our front-line teams delivering at the client face.
Workbook modules for the apprenticeship level two, ‘Express delivery operative.'
IOC uniquely built a full learning delivery pack for the express delivery operative apprenticeship. Built with rich levels of operator content, ‘What is this thing we call Express?’ ‘Parcels larger than letters, smaller than pallets’ ‘Same day, next day schedules.’ ‘POB to empty.’ ‘Safe-guarding age related goods from knives to fireworks.’ The learning delivery pack is formed of four module workbooks, they can be completed in the job environment, interactive learning booklets with interpretation boxes for on the job notes, top tip lines from industry. Knowledge to do the job, skills blocks that follow experience in delivery, behaviour focused on brand, integrity and security at the door.
IOC acting EQA for DFT IFA
Ofqual is the official external quality auditor, IOC acting as the sector review body, IOC have built a one hundred question bank for the apprenticeship knowledge test, extensive simulation exercises and a pointer set for the professional discussion module of express delivery operative.
Going beyond the standard for express delivery operative apprenticeship
Candidates who complete the IOC work books with an apprenticeship pass qualify for access to associate membership of the IOC.
Message to schools
IOC deliver key note tuition express sector introductions to schools. Explaining the career stairway in logistics. The schools message for the next generation is key, taking the message of our sector as a career path. IOC have worked very closely with further education, FE, from West Thames College GTA at Heathrow to Buxton & Leek with their Skillbase driver training centre in the homeland of former Sec of State for transport Patrick Mcloughlin.
Jobcentre Plus – SWAP - ‘What is this thing we call express logistics?’
For adults looking at a step into the sector, IOC have worked with DWP Jobcentre Plus to develop a free of charge SWAP, Sector Work Academy Programme targeted at the unemployed entering sortation and express delivery roles.
Copies of sector-relevant standards and qualification documents, including those authored by IoC and other external bodies can be found in the IoC Standards Archive.
IoC is also active in the Education & Training Foundation's Two-Way Street leadership exchange programme - for more details go here
DWP Logistics national team headed by Alex Farkas take a look at Express.
IOC chair Carl Lomas delivered the pineapple presentation to DWP regional managers to showcase exploding figures in Express, home delivery, final mile logistics. Retail shift from high street to home delivery was at the heart of the presentation using IMRG figures explaining trends of workforce move as shoppers changed to internet shop. Lomas talked Trailblazer from level 2 to 6, a job for life in an emerging sector of logistics as shopping trend moves from high street to e-retail internet shopping and home delivery.
Levy news from Govt in full discussion at Coventry conference hosted by Lindsay McCurdy Oct 27
Lindsay McCurdy put on the levy conference at Coventry days after govt released the first papers on delivery, perfect timescales for a master class in how the HMRC April 2017 levy collections will be delivered by providers for employers, large and small, levy and none levy players all explained. Levy paying employers who spend their pot can then claim 90% subsidy for further training. A full house extravaganza of all things you need for levy, employers and providers getting ready for May 2017 delivery.. Whistl, Tarmac and Stobart amongst the big employer attendees for transport.
Academics focus on degree apprenticeship for National Express employers at IOC Heads of Industry – Oct 18th IOD, Pall Mall London SW1
Academics in strength for round table group focus on Trailblazer degree apprentice at level six at the IOC heads of industry workshop at the IOD, Oct 18th
What can be to done to improve logistics operations in Urban Areas?
Sheffield University, Dr Erica Ballantyne urban freight research hosted a round table focus group, Smart technologies, customers, quick turnarounds, reliable availability, safer deliveries, reduced mileage, air quality all featured in the discussions. Stakeholders who are part of and affected by Urban Transport policy and operations engaged the discussions. Tracey Worth for Institute of Couriers reports. The introduction started with moments of quietness to reflect on the issue 'What can be done to improve operations in Urban Areas whilst helping to alleviate current urban transport problems?' Each of three stakeholder table groups focused on how this question affected their area of expertise.
AELP logistics in employer heartland of levy for Express trailblazer.
UK Mail director John Nolan was at the heart of naming the Express trailblazer alongside CitySprint and TNT. What better host for an AELP training provider focus on Trailblazer delivery?
UK Mail sortation site in transport hot-spot on the A45 opened their doors to host the Association of Learning Providers Logistics Forum Sept 22nd. A full house of training providers, colleges and award bodies packed the event to receive strategic updates on Trailblazer, levy & RoATP. Quality and excellence in logistics sortation all around the group at the 22 acre, 55 million pound site set the scene for a strategy update with the very latest govt views on employer involvement to levy in logistics and express.
Carl Lomas, secretary for Express Trailblazer, Bill boards in the streets
Degree Apprenticeships will be the game changer that brings a new perception to every level of apprenticeship.
Trailblazer standard in Express Delivery Management at degree apprenticeship level submitted to BIS by Justin Moore and the Institute of Couriers.
A degree apprenticeship for managers in the evolving e-retail final mile has been submitted to BIS (July 28), polishing touches were added to the BIS submission at the recent Heads of Industry meeting of the Institute of Couriers, (July 13), aligned with the Universities of Derby and West London to cover the hot spots of the exploding sector numbers in final mile. The degree level goes alongside the existing level two for express delivery and provides a strong platform for employers approaching levy in April 2017.
Lomas speaks express trailblazer at historic date for levy conf Coventry
Trailblazer, levy, employers and providers?
Are you prepared for levy? Lindsay McCurdy Apprenticeships 4 England Coventry Conf
HMRC collects levy from April 2017.
Full house booked solid, a historic day for Levy conf. Govt change real time as Theresa May announced Gove and Nicky Morgan out. Chris Grayling took sec of state for Transport. Education role change, could it become the Dept for Education and Apprenticeship as Justine Greening got the role of sec.
Sunshine in Coventry filled the room for levy conference organised by Lindsay McCurdy.
Express trailblazer Royal Mail meeting for a sector recognising walking post to white van in the evolving and exploding platform of express delivery.
IOC chairman Carl Lomas met Liza Strong, director for talent at the Victoria Embankment offices of the Royal Mail to talk about the Trailblazer Express group developing qualifications ready for levy.
Carl Lomas, acting as BIS employer group sec for Express trailblazers explored the alignment of the existing Express level two Trailblazer to engage walking post in the level 2 qualification. This was a key sector the employer had already reviewed to be in the standard. The standard covers skills from customer service to compliance, an end point assessment developed with award body Pearson using a Q&A, simulated job issues (failed delivery, dealing with returns, damaged parcels) and a viva interview recognising an individual’s delivery log, work book or record of deliveries. The standard covers all express courier job roles from walking express delivery through trolley, cycle, bike and van.
IOC were in West London for the AELP National Conference, talking education and funding for trailblazer, levy and employer.
Martin Dunford, chair of AELP had a mouth-watering line-up of ministers and shadow ministers to give the opposite opinion. 800 AELP members, wall-to-wall training providers, 640 attending from every sector stacked to the rafters in the Hammersmith West London Novotel. Talk of rivers of money and a cold vote for the new Chartered Institute of Further Education.
Positive words from Minister Nick Boles,
I understand change is going on and it generates uncertainty. It is absolutely clear there is a fruitful river for you to fish in. There is a great deal more money going into apprenticeships, an expanding river of opportunity. You are in a growth business, every area of the country will need to thrive in their environment.
Warehouse news headline June 2016 – ‘A legacy change for the express courier sector’ – IOC chair Carl Lomas with East Midlands hot spot LLEP Corin Crane and Sec of State for Education Nicky Morgan. Heads of Industry IOC Heathrow conference highlighted the sector win as BIS gave the green light for the road ahead for the next generation of express courier drivers, funding up to 4,900 pounds a candidate. A team effort from APC to UK Mail.
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