 C M Downton has launched a nationwide apprenticeship scheme in a bid to bring new talent into the business and attract fresh blood into the logistics industry.
The scheme will see the leading independent logistics firm employing a number of new apprentices each year; some at the company’s headquarters in Gloucestershire, others at its key distribution hubs around the country.
The scheme’s first intake has seen five new apprentices join the business over the past two months. In August, two apprentices joined the teams in the Gloucester and Avonmouth transport offices, with a further two LGV driving apprentices starting in Gloucester earlier this month. A fifth apprentice has also joined the business today, and will be working in the traffic office of Downton’s key North West depot in Runcorn.
John Downton, operations director at CM Downton, said: “Our business is growing and we need enthusiastic new people to help us take it forward.
“We’re not looking for the finished article – we just want people who are willing to put their heart and soul into their work and will take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities this apprenticeship will provide them.
“Logistics can be an incredibly rewarding industry to work in, and if we’re going to tackle the skills shortage we’re facing at the moment, it’s something we as an industry needs to be better at communicating. Hopefully, this apprenticeship scheme can be the first step in doing this.”
Downton’s apprentice traffic officers will be working towards a Level 2 Certificate in Traffic Office through Skills for Logistics, while LGV driving apprentices will receive their counter-balance fork lift, truck mounted fork lift and LVG C+E licenses at the end of their two year contract – all of which are funded by Downton.
All future apprenticeships will be advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service website and will be signposted on the Careers section of Downton’s website: www.downton.co.uk/working-for-downton. |