search.noResults

search.searching

saml.title
dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
BIFAlink


YFF & AOTY Profiles


Making the most of opportunities


Beckie Vallance wanted to learn and earn, which led her to explore apprenticeships –


and ultimately to becoming a finalist in BIFA’s Young Freight Forwarder Award category


Having joined Geodis Wilson’s Corby branch in 2018, Beckie Vallance


quickly learnt the ropes. She completed the apprenticeship in April 2020 and was promoted to the role of freight forwarder. Beckie’s background in customer service-


related jobs has equipped her well for Geodis Wilson’s setup in Corby.


“I work in-house with our global account


customer, unlike our London and Birmingham offices which work with multiple customers,” she explained. Learning continues to be important to Beckie.


After completing her apprenticeship she took the Dangerous Goods Regulations course and the BTEC Intermediate Award in Customs Export


A focus on the customer


BIFA Apprentice of the Year finalist Ben Milligan’s progress at DHL


Global Forwarding is underpinned by his maturity, self-confidence and awareness of the value of customer service


“A dedicated and flexible approach is an essential requirement in the


logistics sector,” according to Ben Milligan. “A happy customer is a customer who will return – and also give positive references to other potential customers. Excellent service and customer satisfaction are key. “I have worked in customer-oriented jobs


before, in bars and retail for instance. I have always found it quite easy to speak to people,” he said.


16 Besides his role at DHL, Ben has taken on


additional responsibilities that also rely on that confidence. For instance, as site employee opinion survey champion, he hosted team meetings to find ways in which he and his colleagues could develop their communication and efficiency skills. Ben appreciates the importance of


transferable skills and has been able to develop many of these through his apprenticeship. For example, he said: “Seetec sets tasks via e-learning such as how to prioritise your


YOUNG FREIGHT


FORWARDER OF THE YEAR AWARD SPONSOR


Virgin Atlantic Cargo is proud to sponsor BIFA’s ‘Young Freight Forwarder Award’ to recognise and encourage the next generation of industry leaders. As well as rewarding the progress of the best young people, this award helps to highlight the vital role freight forwarders play in the growth and development of our industry.


and Import Procedures course. She was offered the chance to do a Level 4 qualification with the Institute of Export and International Trade – Customs Academy in 2020, although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed her enrolment. However, she said: “An opportunity has


become available where I hope to move up to a more senior role and widen my knowledge in the seafreight sector. That is the next stepping stone here, after learning about road and air freight. “Ideally, I would like to get into managing


exports – but that is more of a long-term goal. For now, the Level 4 qualification is in sight so that is my main aim at the moment.” Beckie’s advice to other young people starting


out in freight forwarding is simple: “Take every opportunity you get – it will shape your career.”


APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD SPONSOR


Seetec Outsource Training & Skills is a leading provider of innovative training, education and recruitment. Established in 2009, Seetec Outsource has delivered thousands of successful programmes to a range of small and large organisations nationwide and helped many people into employment. Seetec Outsource provides apprenticeships and traineeships on a range of subjects at various levels.


workload. The apprenticeship is very interactive and Seetec provides plenty of resources and direction.” Ben has also completed several DHL


courses, and has a keen interest in geography. He added: “I am on the BIFA Young


Forwarder Network committee, working with the team to help organise virtual events with guest speakers.” Enthusiastic and motivated, Ben sees a clear


path ahead of him. “I plan to finish my apprenticeship and go full time at DHL. I would like the chance to travel, and management opportunities would be interesting too,” he said.


May 2021


www.bifa.org


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24