Succession planning is important in most firms. But it can be challenging for family-run businesses. Especially if the next generation isn’t inspired to join the family firm. However, things can be different if the job offers an opportunity for skills development as well as a salary. Younger family members may then find working for the family business more appealing. Apprenticeships are a great way of formalising a career path for a new member of staff. And that’s regardless of whether they are a family member or not.
Continuing Logistics Skills Development
Jake Steele is an excellent example of an individual whose career path is underpinned by apprenticeships. He enrolled on an LGV Apprenticeship with TRS Training and recently completed his course with a distinction. He is now continuing his skills development at a higher level on the Transport Manager Apprenticeship Standard.
Learning The Ropes
Steeles Removals, owned by Jake’s dad, is Cumbria’s largest supplier for removals and storage. They are a forward-thinking firm, fully BAR compliant (British Association of Removers) and also provide self-storage solutions. Jake joined the workforce to learn the family business. Thanks to his LGV Apprenticeship, he has already gained qualifications that make him a valuable member of staff. And soon he’ll be acquiring more senior-level skills.
The Transport Manager Apprenticeship Standard will give Jake a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This is now the industry benchmark in the UK haulage and logistics sector that until recently had quite a poor record of formalising job roles.
Transport Manager Apprenticeship
Working with the RHA, TRS Training has seen the Level 3 Transport Manager Apprenticeship grow in popularity. The knowledge and skills acquired on the programme span a wide range of workplace competencies. Typical examples include leadership, team building, negotiation and project management.
Keith Yates, a haulage and logistics trainer with TRS Training says:
“Jake is a great example of a young family member working hard, gaining their LGV Cat C licence at the first attempt, and progressing to further training. LGV driver to transport manager is a logical progression and foundation for a well-paid career. There are plenty of jobs in the sector, and you don’t have to have family connections to land one!”
Future Planning
At the time of writing, the job website TotalJobs has more than 400 Transport Manager jobs advertised. Keith points out:
“We urge firms to consider whether they have existing staff who could develop through the apprenticeship route to fill some of these roles. As staff progress through the ranks, it creates more opportunity for new apprentices to fill their shoes and pursue a similar promising career path.”
Apprenticeships offer a career pathway that brings benefits to both the employee and employer. Furthermore, they are heavily subsidised by the government. The employer never pays more than 5% of the costs of training. In addition, currently, there are incentive payments of up to £3000 for employers when they create new apprenticeship roles.
TRS Training can help recruit and train apprentices as porters, LGV drivers and transport managers. We work with many firms that take advantage of the full suite of training on offer as a way to progress careers and invest in their business and its workers.
Kevin Birch, TRS Director, is keen to speak to any firms that want to develop existing staff or create new apprenticeship positions. Kevin says:
“There has never been a better time to adopt apprenticeships as a way of recruiting and developing staff. They can help firms grow stronger post-pandemic, and we have never before seen the financial incentives that are currently on offer from the treasury.” Kevin Birch can be reached on 01733 809 010 or 07788 120608.
