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.
Announcing the government's response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, the Prime Minister said today:
We recognise the world of work is changing and we have to make sure we have the right structures in place to reflect those changes, enhancing the UK’s position as one of the best places in the world to do business.
We are proud to have record levels of employment in this country but we must also ensure that workers’ rights are always upheld.
Our response to this report will mean tangible progress towards that goal as we build an economy that works for everyone.
Matthew Taylor recognised that the UK’s employment law and tax law can fail to provide the clarity that employers and individuals need. The Government is also launching a detailed consultation examining options, including new legislation, to make it easier for both the workforce and businesses to understand whether someone is an employee, worker or self-employed - determining which rights and tax obligations apply to them.
Breaking news Friday November 10th - The Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a ruling that Uber drivers should be classified as workers. The taxi service appealed against the original tribunal decision, which took place after the GMB union brought claims on behalf of its members in July 2016, identifying their workers as self-employed.
The tribunal found Uber drivers are not self-employed, but workers that are entitled to basic workers’ rights, including holiday pay, a guaranteed minimum wage and an entitlement to breaks.
The ruling will have implications for many delivery companies which rely on self-employed couriers for their final mile deliveries.
Institute of Couriers completed a substantial response to the Taylor Review detailing that the majority of Express companies are bricks and mortar with a solid tradition of self-employment and not in the worker status category.
Click here for the IOC response to Taylor document
Transport, Taylor & Trailblazer to set the foundations for a Sector code of practice in express and courier for 2020.
A top level line up of govt depts. Is showcased in the draft agenda below. The key briefing in express sector for 2017 at the IoD Pall Mall; do not miss this date, It’s a double diary win to attend the evening's National Courier Awards.
Govt dept. briefings will set the context for round tables to review the foundations for a courier and express sector code of practice for 2020.
Who's Who turn out to face the challenge of what is employment status in the express sector of courier. The Government's Taylor Review has looked at the evolving gig economy, conventional PAYE, self-employed and then worker as a status in the grey area inbetween. Where does Express fit ?
STOP PRESS: 11:15am Tuesday 11 July 2017 - Taylor Review Published
Read the Taylor Review Final Report
Express sector's Taylor Review submission is ready for you to read. Click below to view what the sector says about worker status in Express
Read the Taylor Review Submission
Carl Lomas IoC Chair,
Our sector has mixed platforms of employment, operators often have PAYE and self-employed drivers, and some drivers work for more than one company; some drivers may even work in different status for different company. May 2nd Heads of Industry is about the views of the operators. From a recent IoC survey, the round-table and one-to-one interviews, the IoC will submit a response to the Taylor Review.
Professor Tracey Worth leads the round-table questions for the IoC
- What characteristics do you most value in your final mile drivers ?
- What do you think are the main reasons why your couriers choose their employment status ?
- How do you deal with none profitable routes in low density geographics, out of hours ? Lifestyle ?
- Why have you chosen mixed employment status for your fleet ?
- How do you deal with an unprofitable job in the wrong direction ?
- Is there favouritism in allocation of jobs in your driver fleet ?
- 84% of operators surveyed agree there should be a code of conduct: what employment characteristics would you want to see in that code of conduct ?
Read more about the Taylor Review
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