News from Bibby: Bibby Distribution has launched an exciting new apprenticeship programme, aimed at attracting young people to rewarding careers in the logistics sector.
The RightStart programme will see promising school leavers embark on Level 2 apprenticeships at four different Bibby Distribution sites in the Midlands and South West, giving the young trainees vital experience across a variety of customer markets.
At the end of the pilot programme, the students will be ready to take on roles in transport, customer service, warehouse management and finance – working on some of the most complex logistical contracts in the country.
Adrian Tomlinson, Regional General Manager, Bibby Distribution, spearheaded the development of RightStart in response to the recruitment challenge faced by the industry as a whole.
He says, “In the past it’s been difficult to attract school leavers to the logistics sector, particularly as it’s often so misunderstood. RightStart helps reveal the complexity that goes on behind the industry, the wide variety of roles available, and prepares young people for rewarding careers.”
Those on the programme will learn crucial skills from Bibby Distribution’s sister company, System Training, with the support of training provider Training 4 Business, ultimately delivering a Level 2 Storage and Warehouse apprenticeship. Under careful supervision, the trainees will be learning high-level skills while working on projects for a diverse range of high-profile Bibby Distribution customers, including Kingspan, Kerry Foods, Plastic Omnium and Barry Callebaut.
Tomlinson adds, “Crucially, the training has been designed around our operations, so our trainees will learn about delivering exactly what our customers require. And at the end of the training, they will have a guaranteed job and the ability to work at any of our 92 sites across the UK.”
After 12 months of module-based training spanning all four sites, learning key skills in warehousing, transport, inventory, finance and customer service, the pioneer trainees will have the opportunity to hone their skills further.
Sarah Dunbar, Regional HR Manager of Bibby Distribution, says, “Our succession planning means we have to attract more young people to our sector, and RightStart will give school leavers who show the right potential the chance to work their way up. After the first year, they can go on to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship, which will then open up the opportunity to take on supervisory roles.
“We’re getting young people interested in logistics and laying firm foundations for a bright future.”
With the pilot programme involving four trainees now underway, Bibby Distribution aims to take on further recruits in six months’ time, bringing more young people into logistics and playing a vital role in tackling an industry-wide skills shortage.
