The Express Delivery trailblazer is an evolution of the courier trailblazer submission in phase three, content remains very similar, the new title widens the understanding to those new to the sector, the job beyond courier, dealing with home deliveries in the rapidly evolving internet e-retail market that sees substantial growing numbers in light vehicle deliveries to home shopping delivery addresses, fix at delivery & return goods becoming the norm in express delivery roles. Stretch has been added in identifying the higher roles of lead driver, master courier and progression to controller / traffic administrator. An apprenticeship not less than 12 months in duration is expected with strong focus on road street geographic knowledge, the difference between a driver and express delivery is knowing the way, safely and quickly to the end point, whilst sat nav is strong the geographic knowledge added by a competent skilled express delivery individual takes at least twelve months of learning alone. To achieve the Standard, apprentices will need to hold a full driving licence for their vehicle (motorcycle, van or lorry). The employer group is aware that driving licence acquisition will not be co-funded by government.
We have consulted with industry, through employer group meetings, workshops, trade shows and online questionnaires. There has been an active web presence at www.couriertrailblazer.com. Employer representatives of all sizes have been involved, to ensure that this draft standard (including all revisions since last submission) meets the needs of employers regardless of size, geographic or sector coverage. The employer group includes larger employers as well as SME representation, all of whom were directly involved in the development and amendment of the standard, and a list of all involved is included with this submission. In addition the group also includes the Trade Body of the Institute of Couriers who have acted as secretary to the chair in order to ensure that wider industry needs are met. The standard has been before training providers at the AELP sector groups and various FE HE education institutions from Derby to London.
The Express delivery employer group is confident that the development of the standards has been in line with sector needs and that the trailblazer standard fully outlines the training and development requirements of this role. A draft outline framework has also been developed with a vocational end point assessment, this is detailed on the web site at www.couriertrailblazer.com and www.expressdeiverytrailblazer.co.uk
The group look forward to the approval of the standard and welcome any feedback from the panel in order to ensure the quality and validity of the Express delivery apprenticeship.
