Palletways has been investing in the future leaders of tomorrow for more than a decade by recruiting apprentices across its owned operations in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and London and its head office in Fradley, near Lichfield. Apprenticeship roles with Palletways have been available across all disciplines, from customer service to operations, marketing to HGV drivers, and provide individuals with the training and skills needed to enhance their career.

Jennifer Mosley-Bradley, Head of HR for Palletways UK, said “We recognise the importance of apprenticeships in recruiting and retaining talent for our business, valuing the flexibility of hands-on training and the chance to put skills into practice immediately.”

As well as its commitment to people, the company invests heavily in cutting-edge technology which underpins all aspects of its operations and ensures the smooth running of its Europe-wide palletised freight delivery network. It is therefore no surprise that its IT department – which has doubled in size over the past decade – has had some great successes with its apprenticeship programme.

Josh Matthewson had no idea what his training would bring when he joined Palletways UK as a fresh-faced 20-year-old in August 2016. He started as a junior IT support technician and now, six years later, he is UK IT Service Centre Manager and is responsible for a team of five.

Josh, who is based at the Fradley head office, said: “When I joined as an apprentice, I had a very basic knowledge of IT but the incredible support I received from Palletways has allowed me to progress and gain promotions as my skills increased. I received all the training and encouragement I could ever have wished for, and gained the qualifications necessary to move to my current role as IT Service Centre Manager.

“I really love my job and I get a huge buzz out of solving IT problems, coming up with solutions to help the business and the people at Palletways. I don’t ever want to stop learning and developing myself, and my ambition is to reach director level here one day. With Palletways it is possible.”

IT Project Analyst Connor Harrod also joined as an apprentice in IT admin at around the same time as Josh and the pair have become good friends on and off-site.

He said: “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I finished my A-levels. I saw that there was an apprenticeship at Palletways which was five minutes away from me, so I thought I’d give the application a try.

“Like Josh, I had no idea what it would lead to but the mentoring I received from everyone at Palletways made me feel at home from day one. I started as an IT administrator then moved into a project admin role and now I’m working as a project analyst within the IT department."

“IT is a huge part of the business at Palletways and by ensuring that we are at the forefront of technological advances we can provide the best levels of service for our members.

Connor added: “It is great that Palletways UK invests so heavily in people, and it was the best decision I have ever made applying for the apprenticeship role with Palletways. I would recommend this to anybody, whether they are just leaving school or want to pursue a new direction later in life and learn the necessary skills as they work.”

Ryan Lewis was the company’s first-ever IT apprentice when he joined Palletways UK a decade ago and has remained within the business ever since. He started as a First Line Support Engineer in Fradley when he was 18 and has now been promoted to Junior Infrastructure Analyst after taking advantage of every opportunity to progress.

Ryan said: “I knew after doing my A-Levels at sixth form that university wasn’t for me and the idea of an IT apprenticeship really appealed because I’d always been interested in computing.

“At my interview it was clear the company would be good to work for and from the start I was fully supported by management and my colleagues. I learnt a lot through on-the-job and external training and progressed from first-line support to handling more complex technical issues helping colleagues, members and customers to solve their problems.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work at Palletways Italy in Bologna which was great fun and I was also an integral part of the set up for Palletways Bristol when it launched. It’s great to be able to travel to our different depots and hubs and meet team members in person, as well as support them remotely.”

Head of IT at Palletways UK, Richard Miller says “I'm a big believer in bringing in motivated apprentices and raising them from the ground up, as it provides them with a strong foundation for their career whilst also giving Palletways employees who have an added level of investment in the business. Connor, Josh and Ryan are excellent examples of this.”

Jennifer adds: “The successes of employees like Josh, Connor and Ryan are proof that apprentices really are the future leaders of tomorrow, and the skills learnt on their courses really can be used for life.

“The knowledge and skills that apprentices learn during their training are essential to keep ideas fresh and progressive. Palletways can proudly say it’s an investor in people in the truest sense of the word, by fully utilising the apprenticeship system. Our continuing commitment to apprenticeships represents our response to the company’s ongoing growth and investment in our people, who are our priority.

“School leavers who are undecided about their next steps can consider the apprenticeship route rather than a traditional undergraduate programme or other routes. Apprentices have a valuable role in shaping the future of logistics and bringing fresh, new talent into the industry.”
National Apprenticeship Week 2023 runs until February 12 and is the UK’s 16th annual celebration of apprenticeships. It brings together businesses and apprentices from around the country and highlights the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

This year’s event will focus on how apprenticeships can provide the necessary skills and knowledge for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

To find out more about available apprenticeships at Palletways UK contact recruitment@palletways.com