SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITALISATION FOCUS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN APPRENTICESHIP

Thanks to a funding boost, the revised Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (SCWO) apprenticeship is now available as a robust solution to warehouse staffing needs. Employers in the Liverpool City Region can use the apprenticeship to fill vacancies and improve retention, building a workforce with effective skills for working in today’s sustainable and digitalised warehouse.

Last October, the Government increased the funding for the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (SCWO) apprenticeship to £5000 after recommendations put forward by the Transport & Logistics Trailblazer Group led by Road to Logistics CEO Jim French MBE. This achievement followed previous work undertaken by this dynamic employer group, which resulted in a funding increase for the Cat C+E LGV Driver apprenticeship. And more recently, they have secured a financial uplift for the Urban Driver apprenticeship, 

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

On the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship, staff learn how to receive, store, and dispatch goods following set processes and using equipment such as forklift trucks and racking systems. In addition, apprentices will develop the skills to operate warehouse management systems, enter data correctly, and keep on top of inventories. They learn to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing. This helps them interact proficiently with colleagues and managers, reducing the chance of errors and misunderstandings. The apprenticeship develops essential behaviours such as safe working, supporting other team members, and a positive approach to problem-solving. Overall, the curriculum essentially ensures that apprentices develop all the skills and competencies required to contribute to seamless operations, increased productivity, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

SUSTAINABILITY & DIGITALISATION

The increased funding provided the opportunity to review and update the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship curriculum to reflect industry changes. Now, unlike the previous version of the training programme, sustainability is featured prominently. Apprentices must understand their role in reducing the organisational carbon footprint. They can only pass their course if they can demonstrate that they consider the environmental impact of all aspects of their work. The fact that sustainability skills are taught as part of the apprenticeship will support managers tasked with developing carbon reduction strategies.

Additionally, the revised apprenticeship now equips participants with the skills and knowledge for working in an increasingly digitalised warehouse environment. So apprentices are familiarised with the use of AI-supported software, the principles of cybersecurity, and working in line with data privacy rules, ensuring they are well-prepared for the technological demands of modern supply chain operations.

FLEXIBILITY & BESPOKE PROGRAMMES

Apprenticeship providers in the Liverpool City Region, such as logistics specialists TRS, Wirral Metropolitan College [https://www.wmc.ac.uk/images/apprenticeships_standards_leaflets/Supply_Chain_Warehouse_Operative_Level_2-compressed.pdf], and Hugh Baird College[https://www.hughbaird.ac.uk/details/apprenticeships/ucd:APPSUPPLYL2], offer this updated apprenticeship. The enhanced funding gives apprenticeship providers more scope to shape bespoke programmes to accommodate employers’ different skills needs.

In addition, the breadth and diversity of skills delivered through the new SCWO apprenticeship will boost the appeal of supply chain careers to school leavers. It also offers a natural progression to the popular transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprenticeship [https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/transport-and-warehouse-operations-supervisor-v1-1].

REGIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRY GROWTH

Liverpool City Region offers an attractive location with a robust logistics infrastructure thanks to space for supersized warehouses, our port facilities, and easy motorway access. Many industry giants, such as Amazon, DHL, Home Bargains, Matalan, and QVC, are already firmly established in the region. The Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship is well-suited to helping logistics firms develop a skilled workforce to support supply chain business growth in the Liverpool City Region.

For more information on how your organisation can benefit by adopting the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship, please register for our free employer skills brokerage service[https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support-brokerage-support/]. A skills broker will contact you to provide detailed information on this and other recruitment and training support available in the Liverpool City Region.