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Milestone in levy-funded qualifications for Express courier sector

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IOC chair, Carl Lomas and IOC President, Lord Falkland at launch of Courier Express trailblazer in 2015 IOC chair, Carl Lomas and IOC President, Lord Falkland at launch of Courier Express trailblazer in 2015

Milestone qualification for Express courier sector.

Hold the front page, Institute of Couriers Chairman Carl Lomas announced at the Microlise transport Conference, May 16  to the largest audience of transport professionals in the UK. Express courier Trailblazer is published today.

This will bring levy-funded training to front line final mile drivers.

 

IFA Trailblazer launch for express courier drivers

Five thousand expected in first year for levy paid twelve month qualification in Express final mile delivery.

Three years in the making, employer built for next generation final mile delivery operators.

The training is already indexed and mapped, find it on the IOC web.

 

 

Dept for Education

IFA has cleared the Express delivery operative apprenticeship qualification for delivery today, May 16th 2018

 

Lomas commented,

Employers from across the express delivery, final mile sector have made a huge contribution, this has been an employer built qualification for the sector of express courier final mile. We are expecting more than five thousand candidates signed up this year, the brand new qualification for the sector will bring a further stamp of professionalism to our industry in an environment where numbers of deliveries are exploding.

Funding tops out at five thousand pounds a candidate paid by levy and the course duration will be a minimum of twelve months, a great deal of the learning will recognise the candidate’s ambassador status of the brands they deliver.

Justin Moore, CitySprint, employer group chairman for the Trailblazer

Our express delivery drivers are the front line face of our clients and brands, the qualification will place knowledge skills and behaviour into their hands.

 

Lord Falkland, IOC President,

This is a further recognition for the sector as it drives professional status into the final mile, last mile delivery.

 

Words from the sector

Mike Brown, TfL boss,

This is a fantastic example of progress being made for real apprenticeship opportunities across this important sector.  I am delighted to welcome this qualification.

 

Kate Lester, Diamond Logistics

Professionalism in delivery is at the heart of great courier companies, and this accreditation supports the need for continual and never ending improvement in standards in the industry facing exponential growth.

 

Tony Mannix, CEO Clipper

Clipper Logistics has fully embraced Apprenticeship schemes at all levels, I’m delighted to see that the new Express Qualification is being launched and I’m sure this will enhance the professionalism for the final mile and is a great step forward for the sector.

 

Ben Gledhill, head of resourcing, Yodel,

In a world of uncertainty in employment this is a chance for our industry to motivate and upskill our workforce which can only be a hugely positive thing.

 

Adrian Smith Swift Logistics Group,

This is a huge step forward for our industry – finally recognition for the express and specialist logistics sector  a vital driving force to the UK economy; and with Brexit Looming – never more relevant.

 

Sam Clarke, Gnewt,

This is what the express sector really needed, great news.

 

Mark Dawe, Association of education and learning providers, AELP,

It is great news to see this level 2 apprenticeship approved in the express logistics sector given the difficulties many trailblazers are facing with the process.  Many providers are ready to work with employers and deliver this important apprenticeship.

 

Peter Richardson, D2N2 Chair, said:

We need skilled people to ensure we can transport ever increasing volumes of freight by air, rail and road. D2N2 welcomes the announcement of this qualification because by up-skilling the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire workforce in the East Midlands logistics heartland, Transport and logistics employers in D2N2 can remain compliant, competitive and are best placed to seize future opportunities.

 

Lisa Smailes, Pearson - awarding body,

We're really pleased to hear that the new Express Delivery Operative has been approved for delivery, it is great that this area of the logistics sector is being recognised where there is clearly a growing demand.

Express delivery operative Level 2

Operative in express delivery, from walking post to cycle, motorcycle, light & heavy van, or final mile truck. The standard (ST0103) began in phase two of the trailblazers and has passed for delivery May 2018. More than five thousand candidates are expected to sign up in 2018.

Originally focused on same day courier the express delivery standard was born in the middle England LEP, D2N2 at the time of the Govt dept of BIS in a phase two application for apprenticeship. Developed through employer group meetings, CitySprint to UK Mail, same day courier to network & overnight. Royal Mail and Whistl focused on post and with further retail input from the likes of Asda and Specsavers the Courier Trailblazer became the Express Trailblazer to represent all forms of final mile delivery to client, from white goods to food, typically home delivery and with strong customer focus.

The employer group for development secretary is IOC chair Carl Lomas, the group chaired by Justin Moore CitySprint. Employers included, APC, Bibby, CitySprint, Diamond Logistics, Delivered, DPD, DX, Fedex, GLH, Gnewt, Hermes, Point to Point, Rush, Swift Group, TNT, UK Mail, Yodel.

The Institute of Couriers has mapped the standard for delivery & will be acting as the external quality assurance body, (EQA). The IOC recognise best practice providers who deliver the training. Links below will take you to the standard, end point assessment and delivery mapping.

Standard published for delivery May 2018 - (ST0103) Occupation: Express Delivery Operative, Level: 2, Programme duration: The apprenticeship will take a minimum of 12 months to complete and has three assessment methods to complete, a multi choice question set, a role simulation of final mile delivery and a professional discussion interview. Training through the twelve months is based on a set list of knowledge, skills and behaviour units, The Institute of Couriers has further mapped, detailed and indexed the delivery units and provided this material on the IOC web at www.ioc.uk.com

Role for the Express delivery candidate.: The dramatic growth of internet shopping and the use of portable ICT devices have transformed the occupations involved in express delivery services. Using world class equipment and software to provide timed deliveries and collections to homes and businesses; postal workers, couriers and express delivery drivers have a high level of individual responsibility for their working day and delivery route. They may be on foot using trolleys or required to use a vehicle such as a pedal cycle, motorbike, van or lorry. They are an ambassador for the industry, their brand and the goods they carry. They provide a high level of customer service which may include real time tracking of deliveries or the installation of electrical and other goods. They maintain excellent communication throughout the delivery chain from collection to delivery point and dealing correctly with failed deliveries and returns. All Apprentices are required to gain and maintain all of the knowledge set out in this Standard, irrespective of their current or initial job role and duties.

Below lists the extract of what a candidate will be assessed on.

ST0103 Express delivery Operative Trailblazer

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours by assessment method

 

Key

 

Assessment Method

Abbreviation

Multiple Choice Test

MCT

Role Simulation

RS

Professional Discussion

PD

 

 

Ref.

Knowledge to be assessed

MCT

RS

PD

TO1

Range of express delivery services offered to domestic and business customers; concept of ‘the last mile’, deliveries of all types of goods, care of perishable items, collections and returns across multiple brands, services, concept of reverse logistics

X

 

 

TO2

Learn and maintain UK geographic and local road network knowledge to plan and check routes. Road map reading, use of satellite navigation and postcodes to locate addresses

X

 

 

TO3

Brand presentation related to delivery transport, uniform and sender especially where multiple brands are carried

X

 

 

TO4

Operating policies and instructions relating to click and collect drop points, collections and returns. The principles of customer service and service delivery

X

 

 

TO5

Hardware and software used to plan and manage deliveries and collections including hand-held devices to verify and record deliveries and provide real time tracking

X

 

 

TO6

Numeracy required to calculate load weights, dimensions, pricing schedules, assessing the dimensions of internet-generated returns

X

 

 

TO7

Principles of commercial and common contract law as applied to express delivery businesses. Principles and laws relating to self-employment in express delivery service

X

 

 

TO8

The Laws and Regulations applying to traffic, transport operations, and to specific goods e.g. hazardous goods

X

 

 

TO9

How personal health and lifestyle impacts on ability to work safely and efficiently. The elements of an appropriate, balanced diet and the range of exercises and fitness regimes or techniques that will ensure and maintain fitness for work

 

 

X

TO10

Legal and safe procedures, including the manufacturers’ instructions for installing electrical and other goods when these are part of delivery services

X

 

 

FT1

The business models for express delivery services; employed and self-employed couriers, types of contract and payment processes used by companies

X

 

 

FT2

Where costs occur in the business process

 

 

X

SF1

Health and safety and specific regulations related to goods carried and how these impact on duties

X

 

 

SF2

The principles of safe manual handling and the correct use of trollies and lifting equipment

X

 

 

SF3

The potential environmental and air pollution hazards associated with express delivery, postal and courier services in urban and rural environments

X

 

 

SF4

National legislations and own organisations policy with regard to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults

 

 

X

CT1

Principles of initial risk assessment of load prior to commencing duties. Dynamic risk assessment during deliveries

X

 

 

 

 

 

Ref.

Skills to be assessed

MCT

RS

PD

TO11

Deliver goods to customer premises; load and unload goods in a safe way that ensures the safety and condition of the goods and correctly relates to the delivery schedule

 

X

 

TO12

Plan and track progress against a schedule, using equipment where required e.g. scheduling  software, satellite navigation

 

X

X

TO13

Interpret delivery/collection schedules; follow route instructions and company policies and instructions related to collections, deliveries, failed deliveries and returns

 

X

 

TO14

Consistently meet customer expectations, respond to customer’s needs and identify ways to improve customer service

 

X

X

TO15

Verify delivery or collection of goods. Use manual and ICT systems to confirm delivery and collection and to authorise or make payments for goods where required

 

X

 

TO16

Comply with the law and with contracts to provide express delivery, postal and courier services

 

 

X

TO17

Work safely in accordance with employment law and traffic law. Where required, operate vehicles to DVSA standards to ensure safety of others and a green environmental impact, minimising fuel use, noise and congestion

 

 

X

TO18

Operate equipment provided to move, collect and deliver goods and when required use any systems and ancillary equipment in compliance with company instructions

 

X

 

TO19

Comply with legal and regulatory requirements relating to express delivery services and where required, with a contract from a client company

 

X

 

TO20

Uses diet, exercise and fitness techniques appropriate to job role

 

 

X

TO21

Where required to carry out basic installation of goods, use correct manual handling techniques and use correct tools and equipment in compliance with manufacturers installation instructions

 

X

X

FT3

Work in a way that minimises business costs while meeting customer requirements

 

X

X

SF5

Comply with rules and regulations relating to the movement and handling of items, handling goods correctly using lifting and other equipment where appropriate

 

X

 

SF6

Apply safeguarding policy whenever deliveries involve young persons or vulnerable adults

 

X

 

SF7

Maintain the health, safety and security of self, colleagues and customers during deliveries

 

X

 

SF8

Carry out appropriate daily equipment or vehicle checks and rectify or report faults

 

X

 

CT2

Apply dynamic risk assessment principles to plan and respond to changing circumstances e.g. footpath closures, road diversions, incidents and accidents

 

X

X

 

 

 

Ref.

Behaviours to be assessed

MCT

RS

PD

TO22

Acts as a company ambassador

 

X

 

TO23

Shows pride in work: integrity, aims for excellence, time management

 

X

 

TO24

Engages positively with colleagues and clients

 

 

X

TO25

Strives to improve service quality

 

 

X

TO26

Is proactive in working with colleagues to resolve problems which might affect deliveries and collections

 

 

X

TO27

Takes personal responsibility for the environmental impacts of express delivery, postal and courier services and strives to reduce those impacts

 

 

X

TO28

Is mindful of the needs of pedestrians and other road users

 

 

X

TO29

Adopts a healthy lifestyle, eats an appropriate, balanced diet and takes regular exercise to ensure and enhance own health and fitness to work

 

 

X

FT4

Acts with integrity and honesty in all financial dealings, astute in work activities and acts credibly

 

 

X

SF9

Shows concern about the safety of self, customers and the wider public

 

X

 

SF10

Follows organisations security policies during deliveries

 

X

 

SF11

Follows safeguarding policies during deliveries to young persons or vulnerable adults

 

X

 

SF12

When riding or driving vehicles, adopts a defensive driving approach

 

 

X

CT3

Is calm under pressure and focused on solutions not problems

 

X

 

Last modified on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 20:13
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