City Couriers started life with three people sat around a kitchen table back in June 2020. Since then, the business has expanded from a 7 person operation, doing 22 collections a week, to now employing a team of 60 people and doing 2500 collections each week. Apprentices are part of the growing team of people developing the award winning business. We found out why and how apprenticeships work for them.
Becki Hunter, Commercial Operations Director at City Couriers told us:
“Our expansion has been massive in a short space of time. We took on our first apprentice early on in our development. When we put in a bid for more work we knew we needed more people and we wanted people who would grow with the business. In my experience, apprentices are more willing to learn and have motivation to succeed.
We are like a family here. Whether you are an apprentice or a director, everyone is treated the same and your role in the business is important. The first apprentice we recruited is playing a big role in helping us to win new business and, in turn, that process is helping him develop his skills.”
“Kian works on business development as well as general admin. Will plays a big role in health and safety and HR. Kacie’s main focus are on logistics, accounting and sales and marketing. Their work is diverse and they get to see all sides of the business.”
“I have already seen a massive improvement in the confidence levels of all the apprentices. They have gone from being shy team members to being able to talk to customers and interact across the team.
Business administration apprentices get chance to see what areas of business interest them and can specialise later. For example, we have one apprentice who we will be supporting into a HR role when his apprenticeship has finished. Once they have all finished their apprenticeship they can go on to further apprenticeships or a graduate course with the Institute of Couriers or Institute of Directors.”
“Finding the right apprentice is key. The confidence you show in an apprentice rubs off on them and will help them become more confident in a work environment. It is really important that you are willing to learn alongside them. It is not free labour, you have to invest in them.”
“Watching them grow into your business as well as a person.”