Whistl has enrolled 15 employees based in its Bolton, Bedford and Bristol depots in the UK on the new Level 2 Sortation Hub Apprenticeship, which was developed in association with the Institute of Couriers.
The employees have signed up to a year-long course that will formalize on-the-job learning into a nationally recognized qualification. Funding for the apprenticeship comes from the UK government’s Apprenticeship Levy, a form of taxation designed to help companies offer more apprenticeships. These apprenticeships will be delivered by Whistl’s training provider, Lifetime Training.
Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Whistl, said, “I was delighted to be part of the team contributing training material for this new qualification. This is an important qualification for the industry. It recognizes the skills required to undertake the roles within our sector that are crucial for the functioning of the logistics sector in the UK. At Whistl we are passionate about the careers of our employees and want to give everyone an opportunity to enhance their career through training and development. The Sortation Hub Apprenticeship is an important step for our depot-based employees. I look forward to following the progress of our 15 employees over the next year as they navigate the training modules for this course.”
Carl Lomas, chairman of the Institute of Couriers, commented, “This apprenticeship has been developed to follow every step of the depot process from arrival to sort to dispatch. It will play an important role in the development of the careers of these apprentices within our industry. The workbook accompanying this apprenticeship has been developed by the IOC members and we are delighted that graduates of this apprenticeship will qualify for Institute membership, further enhancing their career development.”
Carl Widdowson, senior national account manager in the Department for Work and Pensions, added, “I’m thrilled to have been invited to Whistl to meet the first cohort of apprentices. I congratulate them on starting their express sortation apprenticeships and wish them all the best for the future.”