Everything you need to know about our Apprenticeship scheme

Who are Culina Group?

We are a market leading logistics company, founded in 1994. There are several businesses that form Culina Group including Culina, Stobart, Stobart Europe, Fowler Welch, Great Bear, Warrens, CML, IPS, The Pallet Network, iForce, Logistics People and MMiD. These Group businesses cover four key service sectors, chilled and ambient warehousing and distribution, co-pack and resourcing.

Where are we located?

We have a nationwide network of depots across the UK and Ireland offering chilled, ambient and co-packing services, as well as warehousing space. To find your nearest depot please visit https://www.culina.co.uk/about-us/nationwide-network/

What are the entry criteria for the apprenticeship scheme?

When filtering candidates we complete the following checks:

• Hold a valid full UK driving licence (manual Cat-B licence) with at least 6 months driving experience to qualify for the license acquisition and do not hold any driving LGV entitlements (Cat C or C+E)

• Applicant must be over the age of 18
• No DR or DD codes.
• 6 points maximum allowed.
• Having a ‘can-do’ attitude and an appreciation of customer service are important qualities for us.
• The ability to remain motivated whilst working alone is essential for a driving focused role.
• Being an excellent team player is vital at Culina Group, as is the ability to communicate effectively with your colleagues.
• For safety purposes, we do require our apprentices have a satisfactory medical assessment.

Will I need to complete functional skills training?

Unless the candidate already has a grade C or equivalent at GCSE Maths and English, they are required to complete functional skills assessments. Functional skills is taught and assessed by the training provider as part of the apprenticeship curriculum.

How long does the apprenticeship last?

The apprenticeship is 12 months and one day long, with an end point assessment (EPA) at 13 months. The EPA will be conducted by a third party assessor.

What does the apprenticeship involve?

This role is brand-new within the business, not only will you earn whilst you learn on our structured 13 month scheme, but on completion you will be guaranteed a permanent position. This amazing opportunity is not just a job, it will allow you to develop your skills and begin your journey towards a life-changing career.

Over the 13 months, you will be working towards becoming a fully-fledged member of our growing Driver team through work shadowing, ‘hands–on’ training and computer based learning.

Throughout the scheme, you will have the full support and guidance of fellow colleagues, trainers and our dedicated Apprenticeship Manager to help you grow and develop into an outstanding Logistics professional.

What are the key responsibilities of the role?

• You will be responsible for collecting and delivering our customers’ products in line with our agreed service levels, whilst ensuring a professional service throughout.

• You will be learning about the regulations surrounding Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs and Working Time legislation to ensure both compliance and safety standards are adhered to.

What are the Apprenticeship Scheme pay rates?

£350 per week, payable in arrears by credit transfer to your bank account at monthly intervals on or about the 25th day of each month.

On the satisfactory completion of your basic training programme and the achievement of your licence acquisition, your pay will increase in % increments during the first year of employment. These % increases will be based on the standard LGV Driver rate for the depot to which you are contracted to work at. The % increases are also specific to the group company you work for and the depot you are contracted to work at.

An example of the % increases are as follows:

• Week 16- 24 = 80% of your depot current driver rate per annum
• Week 25 – 33 = 90% of your depot current driver rate per annum
• Week 34 – 52 = 95% of your depot current driver rate per annum
• Week 53 = 100% of your depot current driver rate per annum

Where can I apply?

Please check out our current live vacancies via our Culina Careers website page by clicking the provided links below. From this page you can search for and apply directly for available vacancies that are local to your area.

https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CulinaGroup1

What happens after I apply?

At least two weeks before the assessment day is due to take place, candidates will be filtered for their suitability to the apprenticeship scheme.

If the candidate passes the filtering stage, they will then have a phone interview with the training provider, and subsequently invited to the assessment day.

During the assessment day, candidates will complete a variety of activities, including a driving assessment and group exercise. These exercises are designed to be a fun and informative experience to help the candidate decide whether a career as a driver is the right choice for them.

There will also be a more formal interview with the depot management. Following the assessment day, successful candidates will be contacted and sent contracts. Any unsuccessful candidates will also be contacted with an update.

What do I do while I wait for my provisional entitlement?

While you wait for your provisional entitlement, you will be completing lessons in preparation for your Theory and Hazard perception tests. During this period, you will also be exposed to as many aspects of the industry as is possible. We hope to give you a well-rounded insight into all areas while on the apprenticeship scheme, not just driving. This could include shadowing in the transport office, shadowing planners, or working in the warehouse.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will also need to complete ‘Off-the-job logs’. These logs must make up at least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours (paid hours excluding overtime) over the planned duration of the apprenticeship.

What will I be taught on the apprenticeship?

While enrolled in the apprenticeship, you will complete a series of masterclasses aimed to give you a better understanding of the logistics industry, as well as improving the knowledge you will need as a Class 1 driver.

You will also be scheduled time to shadow drivers on their runs. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions regarding how to drive the vehicle, as well as any other questions about the industry.

What benefits are there within Culina Group?

We offer:

• Opportunities for personal progression, training and development
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment
• Employee feedback via employee Surveys
• Cross depot project involvement
• Effective H&S / Occupational Health Management
• Customer interaction

Pension Scheme: If you qualify for the Company’s Group Personal Pension Scheme then this will be set out in your Letter of Appointment / Contract of Employment and the Company’s appointed Pensions Scheme Administrator will be in touch with you shortly.

Life assurance is provided by the Company and covers you whilst you are in employment of the Company, not just at work. You should nominate your beneficiaries using the form available from HR.

Culina Group Benefits Website: As part of our drive to make this a great place to work, we are now very pleased to offer you a wider choice of benefits which are now available in addition to the existing core benefits you enjoy. On your behalf we have negotiated special rates and discounts which should not only save you money, but will also be a source of general assistance and support via our HAPI Benefits.

What opportunities for personal progression are there within Culina Group?

For all information about the various learning opportunities the Group provides, take a read our latest blog post: https://www.culina.co.uk/its-not-just-a-job-its-an-exciting-career-opportunity/

For more information or to register to our Apprenticeship scheme, contact us today by emailing: Apprenticeships@culina.co.uk.