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enjoy a fast-paced atmosphere. “I also find it important to remember that your


customers are relying on you to make these deliveries, so you must always try your hardest to meet these demands.” In addition to the practicalities of getting things


done, Harry finds the industry intriguing because of its global nature. “I enjoy knowing that what I do can affect


somebody in Germany, for example, and having to engage with colleagues and customers in other countries is fascinating because I get to see how they handle situations and can use this to help us,” he observed.


Reaching higher Harry is certainly a highly motivated individual. Having completed his Level 3 in Logistics Operations Management in August 2017, he started the Level 5 Logistics Management qualification in January this year and is enjoying the new challenge. “This is another two-year course and it is


definitely more work than the Level 3,” he said. “As an apprentice, you get spare time in your work schedule, but now I am working full-time so I have to fit in the course in my own time. I spend a lot more time on it at home.” As time has passed, Harry has gone from


Self-starter who enjoys a challenge


One of this year’s finalists in the BIFA Apprentice of the Year Award category, Harry Underwood is not one to rest on his laurels. He has embarked on a further vocational qualification as well as volunteering to train fellow members of staff


Harry Underwood’s introduction to the logistics industry came when Dachser circulated an open letter detailing its apprenticeship scheme, to which he immediately responded. After a successful interview, he began his apprenticeship in September 2015. “I liked the sound of it and I liked the set-up:


there was a clear plan for the two years, which involved working in all the different departments to get a good idea of how the company works. They also offered a good reward scheme with the salary; each time you completed a module you got a pay rise.” Dachser sees the apprenticeship scheme as a


October 2019


joint investment in the future and noted that almost all apprentices who complete the programme are offered permanent positions with the company. “The apprenticeship has been a really good


experience, and because I already know everyone and how everything works I have been able to settle into the permanent role easily,” Harry pointed out. Like many in the industry, he particularly


enjoys the variety of challenges that crop up in freight forwarding, making each day different and requiring a certain mental agility. “That is something I need in my working life,” he said. “Thinking on my feet comes naturally to me – I


relying on existing apprentices for advice to helping new recruits himself. In addition, he has completed additional


training that enables him to train new and existing employees in the use of Dachser’s in-house freight management software, Domino, which covers everything from scheduling, automatic shipment control throughout Europe and complete order management, to tracking and invoice processing, all the way to the administration of packing material. “Training other people on ‘Domino for


Beginners’ is my favourite part of the job and the training route would definitely be something I would consider,” he said. He also highlighted Dachser’s ‘Domino Refreshers’ course, which is aimed at employees who have been at the company for a longer time. Ultimately, Harry would like to take on a


leadership role. Opportunities for this might include being involved in setting up and running a new branch, should Dachser expand its network in the future. Currently, he works solely on road transport,


but a recent tour of the Emirates Airline facilities at Heathrow, which BIFA organised for all of the finalists in the Apprentice of the Year category, has piqued his curiosity regarding airfreight. “This is another area that I might be interested in for the future,” Harry confirmed.


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