TNT Express, the UK’s leading business to business delivery company is preparing the workforce for the future. In giving young people a chance to hone their professional development while earning a living through its Apprenticeship programme, TNT recognises the positive impact Apprenticeships have on individuals, business and the economy.
Alistair Cochrane, Managing Director TNT Express UK & Ireland, said: “We are committed to investing in talented people at all levels. We are tremendously proud of our Apprenticeship scheme and TNT Express reaps the benefits of our enthusiastic and skilled apprentice scheme graduates every day. 
“We would love to see more companies across the UK taking on apprentices to benefit their own business as well as boosting career opportunities for young people. The failure to address the scourge of youth unemployment will not only damage young people at the outset of their careers, but will also leave vulnerabilities in our workforce for decades to come. Apprenticeships are not the only solution to this problem, but they play a key part in meeting the challenges of the UK skills agenda.”
With fewer than 10% of UK businesses offering Apprenticeship opportunities, TNT is leading the way with a wide range of Apprenticeship schemes, many of which are tailored to specific needs within its business. And with 85% of UK apprentices remaining in full-time employment following the scheme, TNT recognises the value of investment in offering the opportunity for a young person to learn on the job whilst earning a living. It leads to greater loyalty and commitment on both sides, and apprentices are known to boost the organisation’s productivity.
Apprenticeship completions over the next decade are forecast to contribute £3.4bn a year to the economy through productivity gains by 2022, according to a new report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research released to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2013.
In recognition of the importance of TNT’s scheme, Central Division Apprenticeship Director, Karen Woodward, National Apprenticeship Service, visited TNT as part of National Apprenticeship Week to meet with senior managers of TNT, along with some of its current and new apprentices, to see and hear about the benefits of the scheme first-hand.
Karen Woodward said: “The over-arching theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is that ‘Apprenticeships Deliver’, and my visit to TNT proved this. The company’s commitment to training and the achievement of its apprentices highlights the benefits which Apprenticeships deliver for both the apprentices and their employers. I always enjoy speaking to apprentices directly and hearing about their experiences. I look forward to working with TNT as they continue to expand their apprentice programme and wish their current and newly-recruited apprentices every success.”
Some of TNT’s senior managers have themselves started out as management trainees, as drivers, and in sales administration roles, and have worked their way up through the management route to be the leaders of the organisation today. In planning for the business of tomorrow, they recognise the need to recruit for the next generation of new starters who could eventually lead the way in the future.
Former apprentice Adam Priseman, who has now graduated to a full-time role as Loading Bay Operative said: “The TNT Express apprenticeship scheme has been a fantastic way for me to gain practical skills while working in a global business. The logistics industry is certainly a lot more varied and interesting than I ever imagined and I am loving the work I do and the opportunities there are for my future career in the company.”
As the transport and logistics industry faces a huge challenge with its ageing population, it is vital to attract fresh interest and develop new talent to prepare the business managers of the future.
To register for job alerts with TNT Express visit our web portal at:
https://jobs-tntuk.icims.com