National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Apprenticeships at Port of Blyth

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we’re highlighting the importance of apprenticeships in ports.

On ‘Apprentice Wednesday’, we hear from some of the apprentices at the Port of Blyth.

Robbie Langlands, port operative apprentice, Port of Blyth

What does your role involve at the port?
My role at the port involves the use of various plant machinery to handle goods and driving this machinery around the port to transport goods. It also involves checking cargo and loading out. I attend training to gain new plant licenses and I complete the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in theory questions on a regular basis to put into practice the procedures I have learnt within the port environment.

Why did you choose to do the Port Operative apprenticeship at the Port of Blyth?
I saw this apprenticeship as an opportunity to kickstart my career with a reputable company, with the hopes of gaining a long and successful career in the port industry. The Port of Blyth is well known for its loyalty to progressing employees into more advanced roles if they work hard.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling on a similar apprenticeship?
This is an excellent opportunity to gain a potentially lifelong career and there are many opportunities to progress in the port industry. Apprenticeships allow you to learn and earn at the same time, giving you the desirable skills that employers want for your future career.

Will Hopper, port operative apprentice, Port of Blyth

What does your role involve at the port?
My role at the port involves various warehouse practices such as the loading and unloading of goods using plant machinery. We use forklifts regularly for handling goods and transporting them around the port in preparation for vessels coming in. I attend regular training to gain new plant licenses, enhance my skillset and improve my confidence within my role.

Why did you choose to do the Port Operative apprenticeship at the Port of Blyth?
I knew that the Port of Blyth was well recognised as a highly successful and reputable business and a place where you can gain a long and successful career if you want it. I have thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, and I look forward to continuing my employment here upon completion of my apprenticeship.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling on a similar apprenticeship?
This is a great opportunity to learn whilst earning a salary at the same time, with all expenses paid for training purposes. Working for the port industry, you gain invaluable work experience and it offers many opportunities for progression into full-time employment.

Niamh Dougan, marketing apprentice, Port of Blyth

Niamh joined Port Training Services (the training division of the Port of Blyth) after deciding that sixth form was no longer the right choice for her. She had an interest in business so she searched for apprenticeships in her local area and saw their Business Administrator apprentice vacancy.

The position allowed Niamh to also work two days per week in the marketing department at Port of Blyth so that she could get a feel for which career she would like to pursue in the future.

Niamh showed a real flare for marketing and made an impression with her efficient and fast approach to tasks. She was given the opportunity to pursue marketing full-time, whilst still completing her level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship.

I knew I wanted to do a degree apprenticeship. This pathway is more beneficial to me than sixth form and university as I have already established a career path and gained significant experience in my role at the port. I’m looking forward to increasing my knowledge throughout my degree apprenticeship to further expand my skillset.

Niamh Dougan, Marketing apprentice, port of blyth

What was it that made you join the marketing department?
During my two days per week in marketing, I really enjoyed the digital aspect and being able to create campaigns and social media posts for our social channels. When given the opportunity to move over to marketing for the Port of Blyth, it was great as it meant I could focus on working towards a marketing career which is what I want to do. Since joining the marketing department, I have become a valued member of the team, supporting my manager with a variety of tasks.

What is involved in your role within the marketing department?
My role involves supporting the management of our company’s social channels, keeping the company websites up to date, supporting events, creating health and wellbeing campaigns for the workforce, drafting press releases, working with agencies to produce branded materials and more. The transition has been great. I love that no two days are the same and the job allows me to meet and communicate with new people every day.

What do you hope to do in the future once your apprenticeship is completed?
I am nearing the completion of my apprenticeship and I have been offered the opportunity to enrol on a Digital Marketer degree apprenticeship funded by the Port of Blyth. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and it will develop my knowledge and skills in digital marketing to better target customers and other stakeholders within our organisation. This knowledge will be transferrable to any role I choose to go for within marketing.