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
Trailblazer apprenticeship - Express delivery courier. The Next step is warehouse hub & level three and four
Last day of January 2016, Gerry Swift at BIS confirmed approval of the Express Delivery Driver standard, subject to some final amendments. IOC Heads of industry meet Feb 26th to debate the assessment and look at the next levels.
Express delivery / courier trailblazer apprenticeship standard has been authorised by BIS at level 2, level 3 and 4 is on the starting grid and framework assessment design has begun.
IOC Tracey Worth met up with UPS at the recent RTITB train-the-trainer conference in the West Midlands to understand the system that leads to a high quality delivery in the express sector. Tracey had the discussion with Gary Swift and Andrew Louden who leads the UPS driver training for UPS UK, based in Tamworth, Midlands.
IOC Chair Carl Lomas was at the emfec 2016 Feb 08 conference to hear the headline ‘1/3rd of colleges gone by end of area review rugby scrum.’
College principals, governors, teaching practitioners and students for a full house of 240 folk talking Further Education (FE) shop that focused on 'a third of colleges gone by the end of area reviews' and how important the student voice was. Paul Eeles talked 'rugby match on a muddy field', could college mergers include private training providers ? It was howling wind outside and howling inside for a frank and energetic exchange across area review, LEP and devolution.
Stewart Segal AELP, 'Our sector needs to be driven by learners and employers'. Stuart Cutforth Chesterfield College, ‘Area reviews. This is real, radical restructuring.’ Baroness Sharp, ‘Why have we cut cultural learning for adults?’ Gill Clipson AOC. ‘Our advice on area reviews is engage.’ Buxton & Leek College got a mention under the umbrella of the University of Derby.
An energetic exchange. Corridors of trade show from award body to AELP, lashings of tea and coffee, two workshop sessions, three headline panel events and a finish on the Skills Education Group formation news from Paul Eeles ABC awards and Maggie Walker ASDAN.
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)
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’
BIS have just launched this month’s surveys on Standards; the Express Delivery standard is now online - click here to see the survey
Carl Lomas IOC Chair,
I am keen to see feedback into BIS for their online survey. Trailblazer submissions, Express delivery / Courier deadline is Friday, Dec 11th .
Express delivery / courier trailblazer apprenticeship standard was submitted to BIS today (November 26th) by the IOC and signed by the employer group chair, Justin Moore, CitySprint..
The UK Transport and Logistics Sector
A range of critical economic activities are encompassed by the term Transport & Logistics. The world-wide export and import of manufactured goods, the storage, handling and distribution of every product that is sold or purchased through to the collection and delivery of mail and parcels to the home. Without efficient logistics, a local economy will not succeed.
Private sector training providers such as System and TLE offer national entry into the sector, many large logistics companies such as TNT & GIST have their own internal programmes. The sector has a Government skills council, Skill for logistics responsible for qualification development and then there is the SFA funded body, National Skills Academy for Logistics their focus is the delivery of those qualifications for you.
Photo - IOC Chairman carl Lomas with IOC President Lord Falkland and the first draft of framework for the BIS courier trailblazer.
Courier Trailblazer makes its next steps with the first draft of the assessment framework.
A first framework draft is on the web for trailblazer courier apprenticeship.
Courier Trailblazer is ready for the next apprenticeship submission and has the first draft of assessment framework ready. Heads of industry are meeting Oct 27th (preceeding the evening of the National Courier awards) for the next step forward to a solution for workforce shortage in the courier sector.
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