A supply chain management apprenticeship is a training scheme that provides the skills and competence required to manage a production process from beginning to end. Supply chain managers usually work within a manufacturing or engineering company, within a logistics company or for an organisation responsible for coordinating lots of products from and to various locations (e.g. large retailers).
The day-to-day role of a supply chain manager is to oversee every stage of a production process, from purchasing raw materials to the delivery of the final product.
Supply chain managers will communicate with and coordinate lots of different departments, such as procurement, operations/production, sales, transport and finance, to make sure the right amount of product is made and delivered to the right place at the right time. The role may involve:
There are various routes into this role including apprenticeships and university degree programmes. The apprenticeship offered at TTS is available at Levels 2 and 3 and will introduce you to the job with practical hands-on experience with your employer backed up with theory delivered in a classroom setting and online learning environment.
The Supply Chain Management Apprenticeship Programme Covers:
This training course, like all TTS programmes, requires the student to have a relevant job so that all learning at TTS can be put into practice in the workplace. TTS may be able to match suitable candidates to opportunities with employers, but companies with existing employees meeting the eligibility criteria who are looking to upskill in a supply chain role can also apply.
In September 2023, the Department for the Economy launched ‘All Age Apprenticeships’ which lifted the age restriction to allow anyone to apply for an apprenticeship.
The training at TTS is on a flexible block release basis of approximately 3 days every month, with the rest of the time spent learning on-the-job with your employer.
At TTS, we find this ‘block release’ model to be beneficial compared with other schemes that operate on a weekly day release for college training, because you can get more done in consecutive days than in individual days each week. In our experience, employers also prefer the block release model because they find it easier to manage your workload and plan for your days away at training.
The Supply Chain Management apprenticeship offered at TTS is available at Levels 2 and 3. Together these take around two years to complete.
Supply chain management is a challenging and satisfying career which has potential to have a real impact, for the organisation, the consumer and our planet.
Supply chain management roles are in demand and as a career it is fast-paced, technologically advanced and offers opportunities for responsibility and advancement.
If supply chains are managed effectively, operating costs for the company can be controlled and processes can ensure that goods flow optimally – the right amount of product is made and delivered to the right place at the right time.
Often manufacturing lines require what’s called “just-in-time” supply. This is where the supply chain is managed carefully to ensure that materials, ingredients or components are only delivered into the manufacturing process exactly when they are needed. This is to ensure a perfect balance between getting just the right amount of product at the right time. Some reasons for this might be because the receiving factory doesn’t have its own storage facilities or to ensure perishable ingredients are kept fresh.
Supply chain management is key to making sure that we have everything we need in every aspect of our lives from food to clothing; medicines to fuel; and is integral to construction, farming and online retail delivery.
We saw clearly that the supply of goods is essential in our society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain personnel were vital in making sure that our stores stayed stocked with food and other essentials and our hospitals were supplied with medicine, medical equipment and PPE. Supply chain managers even played a huge role in each of us getting our vaccines!
With sustainability becoming a greater concern on all areas of life and business, supply chain managers have the opportunity to really make a difference. Because the supply chain is responsible for the majority of a company’s environmental impact, organisations have started to consider the environmental impact of their products’ journey through the supply chain, including energy usage, water consumption, carbon emissions, waste production and the impact that the production has on communities and workers.
By monitoring environmental impact and refining supply chain processes, environmental impact can be reduced, minimised or even eliminated.
Supply chain management is essentially the management a production process from beginning to end.
Supply chain managers usually work within a manufacturing or engineering company, within a logistics company, or for an organisation responsible for coordinating lots of products from and to various locations (e.g. large retailers).
The day-to-day role of a supply chain manager is to oversee every stage of a production process, from purchasing raw materials to the delivery of the final product.
Supply chain managers will communicate with and coordinate lots of different departments, such as procurement, operations/production, sales, transport and finance, to make sure the right amount of product is made and delivered to the right place at the right time.
The role may involve any or all of the below:
The entry requirement for this supply chain management apprenticeship is typically GCSEs at Grades A* – C (9 – 4) including English and Maths.
Transport Training Services has an impressive training centre including modern conference facilities; a variety of fully equipped training rooms and computer suites; a vehicle manoeuvring area; vehicle maintenance workshops and a vehicle body repair workshop which houses a paint booth and paint mixing facility.
Our existing and past female apprentices and the women that work in the transport, logistics and automotive sectors tell us that they are not treated any differently to their male colleagues.
They consistently tell us that they enjoy being part of the team, they are treated fairly and equally and they love the banter that comes with being part of a mixed team!
During your apprenticeship you will be fully supported by both your course tutors and our dedicated Careers Development Officer. Our Careers Development Officer will be with you every step of the way to ensure you are integrating successfully into your workplace and to provide you with regular feedback on your progress. Your Careers Development Officer is also the link between you and your employer and is there to make sure any issues, on either side, are resolved quickly.
If you have any doubts or questions about being a female in the transport or motor industries, join our Facebook group and ask one of our ‘Women in Wheels’ – a group of friendly, inspiring and dedicated women who are either existing apprentices, are recently graduated apprentices or are experienced women working in a range of role across the sectors.
Women in Wheels NI Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/womeninwheelsni
We know that the transport/logistics and motor sectors have a lot to offer. Aside from the excitement, variety, problem-solving and technology involved, both sectors are in high demand and so provide good long-term job prospects.
The motor industry employs 823,000 people and contributes £18.6 billion to the UK economy.
Due to the highly rural nature of many parts of NI, transport by car is the only viable option for travel and commuting. Without the motor sector we would not have cars that are safe and legal to drive.
The road transport industry employs 2.7 million people and contributes £124 billion to the UK economy.
Everything that comes into or goes out of Northern Ireland travels by road, whether it’s clothes, food, fuel or your online orders, so the career opportunities are vast and diverse.
Transport workers are essential in our everyday lives. The recent covid-19 pandemic showed the importance of transport and logistics and demonstrates that even when the economy dips, transport stays strong and in demand.
1.2m vehicles licensed in NI – all need maintained/repaired
150,000 goods vehicles and 3,400 buses all need drivers
A combination of an ageing workforce, lack of investment in apprentices after the last UK recession, a lack of diversity and the impact of Brexit means our sectors are facing a shortfall of talent across all areas. This means qualified transport and automotive apprentices, once qualified, are in high demand!
Once you enter a career in transport or automotive, there is plenty of opportunity for growth and advancement. Find out about the career path opportunities here.
Apprentices are also crucial in bridging the gap in future technologies in these sectors. TTS apprentices will increasingly bring skills that may be lacking in transport and automotive businesses in Northern Ireland today. We already train apprentices in hybrid and electric vehicle technology and are already looking to the future of hydrogen power, for example.
Additionally, women now account for 35% of registered car keepers in the UK and so are increasingly involved in car buying and servicing decisions. Many women feel more comfortable interacting with and asking questions of female mechanics and service advisors, so employers have a desire to hire more women.
TTS is consistently praised for its support of its apprentices. We have a dedicated Careers Development Officer to provide ongoing pastoral care to ensure you are developing well and integrating successfully into your workplace, and to provide you with regular feedback on your progress.
Your Careers Development Officer is also the link between you and your employer and is there to make sure any issues, on either side, are resolved quickly.
Proof of the quality of support available is the large number of employers who themselves came through an apprenticeship with TTS and want a similar, quality experience for the staff they employ.
You can find out more about our pastoral care by downloading our Apprentice Pastoral Care Handbook here: Download PDF.
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