Before applying to this apprenticeship, please check that you meet all entry requirements. 

Minimum entry requirements are a grade 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 (e.g. business, logistics and distribution, supply chain management, etc.) can apply for entry onto the programme.

Applicants may also be eligible to become apprentices via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL processes require the applicant to provide evidence of appropriate past learning, whether that is certified or experiential learning. In some cases it may be sufficient for the applicant to provide copies of appropriate certificates.

In other cases there may be a self-assessment exercise, preparation of a file or ‘portfolio’ of appropriate evidence of learning, an interview, and perhaps a demonstration or assessment task. 

In advance of completing an application for the Logistics Apprenticeship it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme.

The lead proposer for this apprenticeship is the Freight Transport Association Ireland. The apprenticeship is a two-year programme delivered by TU Dublin City, Aungier Street, and Munster Technical University (Cork Institute of Technology). This apprenticeship involves four days per week on-the-job, and one day per week off-the-job in college.

The core subjects for each year are as follows;

Year 1

Introduction to Logistics & SCM

Introduction to Customer Service

Communications and Professional Skills

Introduction to Customs and Int. Trade

IT Fundamentals

IT Practical (on the job)

Team working (on the job)

Reflective Journal (on the job)

Year 2

Road Freight Logistics

Air Freight Logistics

Sea Freight Logistics

Distribution & Warehousing

Quantitate Analysis & Excel

Understanding Customer Service (on the job)

Reflective Journal (on the job)

Work based project (on the job)

 

The training is run by the following institutions:

• TU Dublin City 
• MTU Cork (Formerly CIT) 

• Personal ethics
• Professionalism/integrity
• Personal management/commitment
• Problem solving.
• Lateral/critical/systematic thinking.
• Analytical capabilities.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Practise good communication skills.
• Word processing and presentation tools.
• Working knowledge of descriptive statistics and how to use Excel to present statistical information.
• Preparation and presentation of reports.
• Understanding of how to be an effective team member.
  
  

Plus you will be expected to gain specialised knowledge across a variety of areas associated with:

• Understanding of the supply chain with particular focus on the modes of distribution including, road, air and sea.
• Understand the role of supply chain management in relation to the overall business improvement process.
• Logistics and supply chain management (specifically inventory management, purchasing, warehouse management, outsourcing, quality management, information systems, transport management and planning, global logistics, customs and international trade)
• Understanding the importance of customer service for logistics and supply chain and implementing its effective management.
• Management (communications, accounting, planning)
• Information systems in a logistics context, the essentials in the use of ICT and as applied in the logistics industry and focused on data collection, exchanging and manipulation, e-business and e-commerce in the World Wide Web. 

On successful completion, the Logistics Associate will have: 

• Personal ethics.
• Professionalism/integrity.
• Personal management/commitment.
• Problem solving.
• Lateral/critical/systematic thinking.
• Analytical capabilities.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Practise good communication skills.
• Word processing and presentation tools.
• Working knowledge of descriptive statistics and how to use Excel to present statistical information.
• Preparation and presentation of reports.
• Understanding of how to be an effective team member. Knowledge (cont’d.)
• Understanding the competencies required in an international trade and customs environment.
• Review the role and function of customs in an era of international trade, globalisation, EU single market and Brexit.
• Knowledge of how to set up a distribution network within the demand and supply chain.

• Liaising with transportation companies to create a good working relationship.
• Preparing invoice for orders and deliveries as part of record keeping measures and evidence of transactions. 
• Ensuring compliance with customs duties, controls, tariff, international conventions and agreements. 
• Keeping records of all shipping activities, documenting procedures, guidelines and changes in procedures for reference purposes. 
• Creating a safe working environment by adhering to safety measures to prevent accident and complications that may arise during work.

​​

Key Skills:

• The ability to use information systems and personal computers.
• The ability to apply management techniques to measure performance and make recommendations to improve business performance.
• The ability to be aware of the changing needs of their customers and how to adopt to these changes.
• The ability to apply best practice techniques to a range of logistical contexts and situations.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• The ability to recognise the advantages and disadvantages that alternative distribution/warehousing configurations can provide.
• The ability to develop a range of technical and managerial approaches.

On successful completion of the Logistics Associate apprenticeship the apprentice is awarded a Level 6 Higher Certificate in Logistics. The apprentice could expect to develop towards a position as:

• Logistician
• Freight Forwarder
• Distribution Manager
• Transport Manager
• Transport Planner/ Co-ordinator
• Warehouse Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Process Engineer
• Supply Chain Manager
• Shipping Agent

Freight, distribution, haulage, warehousing, shipping are the key industries served by this apprenticeship.

The Transport logistics sector is becoming increasingly sophisticated through supply chain developments. Just-in-Time delivery principles, combined with the pressure for increased environmental performance makes the efficiency levels of logistics management increasingly important.

Progression Pathways 

1 BSc, Logistics and supply chain management, TU Dublin (DIT), this is a 4-year full-time Level 8 Programme to which a student may progress to continue full-time study. Entry at year 2 provided they achieve 60% overall as part of their Level 6 award. Those achieving 70% or higher can gain entry into year 3.

2 BSc, Business Studies, TU Dublin, this is a 4-year part-time Level 8 programme with 2 streams Marketing and Finance (Logistics and Supply Chain Management stream in development) to which a student may progress to continue part-time study. Entry at year 2 provided they achieve 60% overall as part of their Level 6 award. Those achieving 70% or higher can gain entry into year 3. 

3 Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain and Transport Management, MTU Cork Institute of Technology, this is a 1-year part-time award at Level 7 programme.

4 Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management, SETU (Carlow Institute of Technology) this is a 1-year part-time award at Level 7 programme.

5 Professional Bodies Programmes/Exams, chartered institute of logistics & transport (CILT), Ireland International Freight Association (IIFA), IPICS The supply chain management institute, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS)

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway:  

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses
• Further education training centres
• Post Graduate options
  

Applications for the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship are now open - Register your intrest here

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

This apprenticeship is managed by the Freight Transport Association Ireland. If you are interested in a logistics associate apprenticeship you should make contact with the Freight Transport Association Ireland via the contact details in the ‘Find Out More Section’ below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Logistics Associate apprenticeship brochure

Interested candidates can find out more about the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship at: 

• TU Dublin City 
• MTU Cork (Formerly CIT) 

The first step toward becoming an apprentice is to register your interest at www.laa.ie or to contact us by email: [email protected]

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.

More information can be found at the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship website.

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Industry

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• Freight Transport Association Ireland

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job and off-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.