Standards for Apprenticeships
L2 to L6 standards documents
Delivery material
Guidance for delivering the qualifications
EQA
External Quality Assurance
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 sortation operatives ST0753
The very latest apprenticeship in Express was published in Nov 2021 for sortation operatives, focused on those working in the sortation hub, depot. IOC worked with operators to build a training plan for this new apprenticeship and a textbook for candidates to use during the 12 months of the course. The textbook begins with ‘what is this thing we call Express?’ the four streams of mail, parcel, food and meal, all delivery to door. Chapters follow a similar path to packages and parcels, early chapters look at goods delivered, then loaded to belt sort, moving to chute, sorting and separated to outbound final mile. There is a chapter on mail licencing and compliance in final mile. A chapter on security looks at threat and theft of parcel. A chapter looks at sort errors, belt failure, chute error, dealing with jams and later looking at maintenance.
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.
Latest hot off the press news flash items can be found below.
Express Manager Degree Apprenticeship Trailblazer workshop for Express employers sits at Heathrow.
Latest version of standard updated from January one-to-one employer meetings and the Heathrow employer workshop.
Help review the standard before submission on Feb 23
There have been a number of operational one-to-one meetings with employers and workshops north and south leading to the present draft standard, it's not too late to have your say and your input is very welcome to the group. V2 Standard here.
Express Trailblazer chair Justin Moore was at the Heathrow table to talk level six degree apprenticeships for the final mile, home delivery managers of the future.
This is about delivery, express delivery, final mile, delivering to customer chain in an evolving market of client requirements from e-retail.
IOC chair and Express employer group secretary Carl Lomas,
Express manager is not about storage, warehouse or supply purchase, this is about fulfilling final mile transport demand to customer for an evolving, new and exploding sector of logistics.
Hosting the workshop, Tracy Aust, Principal West Thames College comments
These trailblazers provide a fantastic opportunity to really meet the needs of one of the fastest growing sectors. From provision at level 2 through to provision at level 6, they offer a career path for those just entering the sector as well as providing opportunities and career progression for those employees that we already have working within the sector. The on-the-job training, provides the perfect mix to earn as you learn!
Dept for Education gave the green light for a degree apprenticeship for Express managers as part of the Trailblazer apprenticeships Sept 16th 2016.
IOC chair, Carl Lomas comments,
This will deliver a funded route, for levy and non-levy paying employers, lasting around five years, targeting next-generation entrants and existing team members aspiring to management in the express sector. The five year course will begin with management cpc or FORS practitioner and roll into a part-time degree study with a range of Universities including Derby, MMU, and West London.
Expected to start Sept 2017, a candidate will begin a job role in our sector, have no university fees to pay and be able to attain their degree within five years. There will be strong content on customer, final mile success, returns and sortation hubs. LoCity, air quality and delivery practices will be embedded into the learning.
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.
Standing room only at Heathrow as BIS talked trailblazers, there was hydrogen power in the car park for an IOC heads of Industry briefing that followed a proven track record of fifteen minute slots across a varied agenda. Glen Davies TfL, LoCity was first keynote address, ‘ 59% of white vans are in private registration!’ watching the thunderstorm cell, Heathrow Emma Gilthorpe talked air, focused on freight, 1.5 million tonnes a year through Heathrow projected to 3 million tonnes by 2030. FORS BIS & Hydrogen followed, Inpost talked collect, Nicholas Dunhill Parcel Space had collaboration at heart, Alex Farkas DWP was on hand as national logistics, Andrew Hartley, System training de-mystified levy for employers. Sarah Bell University of Derby had level 6 degrees in preparation. It was logistics employers parked wall to wall, City sprint, TNT, UK Mail FedEx and more in a briefing focused express speed.
Viscount, Lord Falkland IOC president, ‘A legacy change for the express courier sector’
With exploding delivery numbers in the express delivery, shift from high street retail to home delivery expected to be half of all retail value by 2020, light van registrations up 18% in a single year and three Q4 million foot sortation sheds in middle England 2015. The next challenge is a workforce with skills to deliver the booming numbers in an evolving platform. Minister Nick Boles has delivered news set to provide a legacy, a step change in the sector, a trailblazer apprenticeship for express delivered before the end of the year, ready for levy.
With exploding delivery numbers in the express delivery, shift from high street retail to home delivery expected to be half of all retail value by 2020, light van registrations up 18% in a single year and three Q4 million foot sortation sheds in middle England 2015. The next challenge is a workforce with skills to deliver the booming numbers in an evolving platform. Minister Nick Boles has delivered news set to provide a legacy, a step change in the sector, a trailblazer apprenticeship for express delivered before the end of the year, ready for levy.
Proposal to develop apprenticeship standard degree apprenticeship logistics manager went into BIS March 29 by IOC in collaboration with University of Derby and a strong employer group that first met over two years ago.
A strong employer group with a track record at level 2 and submissions of a career path to level four all in development; foundation degrees were first discussed by the group more than 18 months ago.
IOC has acted as secretary to the express delivery group chaired by Justin Moore, CitySprint. IOC have ready completed work to develop the Level 2 standard for express delivery drivers/couriers & provided an expression of interest to develop levels 3 & 4 in express logistics.
Justin Moore,
I have written to BIS seeking approval for the development of a level 6 standard for such a degree apprenticeship. I have asked Carl Lomas CBE, IOC to continue to provide secretariat services to the group and lead this work.
BIS Apprenticeship Trailblazer focus for Express Delivery courier in the Oxford Newbury area.
Talking shop with IOC Chair Carl Lomas about BIS recognition for Express Delivery courier apprentice trailblazer, Adrian Smith of Swift Couriers (Oxford & Newbury) explained: ‘Elite couriers, this is where we need to be.’
Adrian Smith, IOC Fellow and owner of Swift - a strong company-owned van fleet, operating PAYE drivers and providing quality service to the West London corridor around the postcodes of Newbury and Oxford with focus on medical services clients. ‘Every driver goes through a detailed induction, 6 months attendance, 6 months specialisation to make the step to one of our elite couriers.’
Adrian is one of the heads of Industry Fellows joining the IOC panel discussions Feb 26th in the City of London with TfL boss Mike Brown. The invitation-only event is before the Fellows' gowning on the same evening at the House of Lords. Call Tracey Worth for details of a diary must-do (07976 263745)
Friday 29th January, BIS confirming approval of the Express Delivery Driver standard, subject to some final amendments.
Gerry Swift, Standards Development Team. BIS/DfE Apprenticeships Unit
Congratulations on having the standard approved and many thanks to you and the rest of the group for all your hard work on this.’
IOC Chairman Carl Lomas comments
This is a great step for our future workforce in express delivery and courier, Justin Moore City Sprint chaired the employer group meetings, outstanding contributions from so many employers, nationals, networks and local SMEs. The standard that will set the future qualification for our sector. It’s a big thank-you all round for everyone who has made this possible. Broad input came in from the LEP teams D2N2, LLEP, SEMLEP, NLEP and more with education advice and support from Universities including Derby, SHU and LMU. This will be a vocational qualification for our front-line teams delivering at the client face.
First emails following the Friday afternoon news...
Patrick Gallagher, CitySprint, ‘Great news, congratulations.’ Alastair Brooks Manchester college, ‘Fantastic news, congratulations.’ Sarah Maddox, UK Mail. ‘Great news.’ Sharon Davies, DHL, ‘Well done.’ Elaine Harris, Action Express, ‘Fantastic’. Marjorie Semple, principle West Thames college Heathrow, ‘Fantastic news – well done for getting that through.’ Stephen Ram Kissun, AELP. ‘Well done looks very promising to seal of approval from BIS.’ Andrew Lowery TNT, ‘Brilliant - not every Friday you get a green light like this.’ Patrick Henry, Grimsby ac ‘That's good news well done’. Pierre de Carteret, ‘Congratulations, that is excellent news!’. Stewart Segal AELP ‘Congratulations. I am sure it will prove very beneficial for the sector.'
More as they come in...
Jill Godard, Findafuture, ‘Excellent news - well done to you and your team and your industry colleagues. A great start to 2016!’ Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall Univ Derby, ‘This is really great news’.
Steve May NCDA, Sameday Company, ‘Excellent News, Congratulations, everyone should be applauded for the hard work.’ Lisa Smailes Pearson-Edexcel, ‘That's great news that the standard has now been approved, congratulations!’ Professor Liz Barnes, Deputy VC, Sheffield Hallam Unv, ‘Great news! Well done.’
Deputy Director of the joint DfE/BIS Apprenticeships Unit Jennifer Coupland opened: introduction of the new institute for apprenticeships before key focus - ‘end point assessments’ measuring the assessments, quality and comparability both internally and externally. Event closed with an outline from Mark Froud FSSS (fed for sector skills standards) ‘certificate production by FSSS will be mandatory for all trailblazers’
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