300th Apprentice enrols at LATA!

The Black Country’s Logistics Apprenticeship Training Academy (LATA) is celebrating the enrolment of its 300th Apprentice since its formation just 14 months ago. LATA was the first Apprenticeship Training Association (ATA) formed in the Midlands between national training provider JHP Training and Targeted Training Pathways (TTP) in a bid to combat logistics sector issues and achieve government objectives. The partnership supports young people who want to enter the logistics sector by employing the apprentice directly, providing apprentices with the relevant employability skills sought by employers and placing them with ‘host’ companies as part of their apprenticeship. The enrolment of the 300th apprentice coincided with the excellent news that LATA's first Apprentice, Sara Priest, has secured the offer of permanent employment at her host company, Tuffnells Parcel Express. Throughout Sara's Apprenticeship she received valuable work experience, and in turn, she has shown commitment, dedication and a willingness to learn new skills. John Johnson, General Manager at Tuffnells Parcel Express in Brierley Hill said: “Sara has took to her role in Customer Services like a duck to water, in such a short time she has settled in well and has readily become a member of TPE team here in Brierley Hill. Sara is showing real promise and we are delighted to have her on board.” As an essential member of the busy call centre team at Tuffnells Parcel Express, Sara is proof that an Apprenticeship today extends beyond the traditional concept of work-based learning; her typical day involves answering telephone calls and much more. Sara acts as the first point of contact for customers. She works with a bespoke IT system to manage the CRM database and is able to maximize her capabilities through building strong relationships with key customers. Sara now faces exciting and long term career prospects at Tuffnells Parcel Express as a result of her Apprenticeship and dedication. Now enrolling the 300th Apprentice, LATA aims to expand further geographically to enable more opportunities to individuals like Sara. In the West Midlands, the logistics industry employs 10% (260,000) of its regional workforce and generates over 12,000 employment opportunities per year; this is £5.7bn of the regions output. The logistics sector is a major player in work sectors, but is the sector with the lowest number of Level 3 and 4 qualifications and only 2% of all the UK’s Apprentices choosing to enter this sector. LATA’s mission is to change this by raising the aspirations of young people considering a career in logistics, and in effect, changing the perception of the logistics industry as employers for young apprentices.

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