City Link apprenticeship scheme gets underway

Eighty new apprentices have this month joined City Link as the company's new apprenticeship scheme gets underway.

The new recruits have taken up placements across the network with 17 placed in Contact Centres situated in Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Milton Keynes and Hatfield where they will be working in customer service with the remaining 63 taking up warehouse and storage apprenticeships situated at 18 of City Link's 60 depots across the UK.

It is a pioneering initiative introduced by the premium express parcel carrier which earlier this year saw City Link launch a nationwide recruitment drive to find 80 enthusiastic and motivated people seeking a career within the industry.

The drive followed the launch of a trial scheme last year - an acknowledged first for the industry as confirmed by the Sector Skills Council for Logistics - which proved a great success with over 100 employees completing the first year of the programme.

It is an initiative which although represents a substantial investment by City Link, is one from which the company is confident it will reap dividends.  All course materials are written by City Link and not only are they in line with standards set by the awarding bodies the course structure is wholly relevant to the business.  All training is also delivered by in house trainers.

Under this latest scheme City Link will be running two apprenticeship programmes - Level 2 Apprenticeship in Warehousing and Distribution, which has been designed around working in the warehouses of City Link depots, and Level 2 Apprenticeship in Contact Centre Operations, a brand new apprenticeship created for people working in City Link's Contact Centres.

Additionally the apprentices will gain a broad overview of City Link's business through working with other members of the City Link team in different departments, offices and job roles.

Both programmes are intermediate level apprenticeships and last one year. Following the successful completion of the programmes apprentices will have the opportunity to be considered for a permanent role within City Link.

Scott Maynard, Human Resources Director of City Link commented:  "The first year of our apprenticeship programme has been a resounding success. We have seen many of our trainees making great strides in career development which is hugely encouraging and lays a strong platform on which to build.

"The fact that we now have 80 new apprentices on board is an exciting development for us and one which we hope will not only continue to develop our frontline talent but help to instill our 'right first time' culture across the business."