A career in getting things moving
By Anna Gorecka, Apprenticeship Project Manager with Logistics Associate Apprenticeship
Organising, co-ordinating, managing, and moving goods is what logistics and supply chains are all about. They involve planning, implementing, and controlling the movement of products and information.
Logistics and supply chains are integral to every industry in the world and operate around the clock facilitating international and domestic trade in all sectors of the economy.
The industry offers a wide variety of career paths, including operational roles like picking orders in a warehouse or driving heavy goods vehicles, and management and supervisory roles primarily based in the office that involve developing and implementing logistics plans, analyses and optimisation of logistics frameworks.
In addition to competitive salaries, logistics and supply chain careers offer opportunities for advancement, and career growth as well as opportunities for international travel.
The Earn as you Learn Logistics Associate Apprenticeship (LAA) offers career and education options for school leavers and mature students who prefer paid, on-the-job training while studying for a qualification over a full-time college course.
There are nearly 100 companies registered with the programme that offer placements throughout Ireland, representing manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, shipping, and freight forwarding sectors and 305 apprentices have been enrolled since the program was launched in 2018.
The LAA is a 2 year programme providing academic education and practical on-the-job training across the logistics industries. Apprentices enter a contract of 2 years duration, where they will work on a full-time basis with an employer while being paid a salary and spend one day a week with MTU in Cork or TU Dublin for their academic studies. Successful completion of this program will lead to a QQI Level 6 Award on the NFQ - Higher Certificate in Logistics.
From that point, there are many routes of progression into Level 7 and even Level 8 degree courses which is one of many key strengths of this programme. Throughout the apprenticeship journey, apprentices acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies to carry out the core tasks and responsibilities within the logistics sector and upon completion of the program are fully equipped to progress into professional employment.
As part of the programme apprentices complete a work-based project in year 2, which will help them to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, and which will also directly benefit the employing organisations. In addition to project work, the apprentices complete a variety of industry modules developed by the LAA consortium throughout program, which are then assessed to achieve certification.
For those seeking a career in this field, an apprenticeship is undoubtedly an attractive option. The apprentice gets an overview of the profession, gains practical work experience, and acquires the necessary qualifications while earning a salary.
Entry requirements
• H7/O6 or above in five leaving certificate (or equivalent) subjects. A minimum of grade O6 must be obtained in English. A minimum of grade O6 or a B2 or above in Foundation level must be obtained in mathematics
• Holders of a QQI Level 5 or Level 6 (or equivalent) in cognate areas
• Applicants may also be eligible to become apprentices via Recognition of Prior Learning
Interested?
The next apprenticeship intake will take place in September 2023, and employers are already beginning their recruitment drives.
The 1st step toward becoming an apprentice is to register your interest at Laa.ie or to contact us by email at info@laa.ie .
Upon registering, you will receive an information pack containing tips on finding job placement and a list of registered companies as well as email notifications of apprenticeship position openings.