Find the route to success with an Apprenticeship in Wholesale, Distribution and Export

By Mollie Brown - 9 August 2022

Wholesale, Distribution and Export offers a wide variety of job opportunities from the warehouse floor to delivery, marketing, management and much more.

There are many benefits to choosing an apprenticeship as a career route and this blog explores the views from current apprentices working in the sector.

Wholesale, Distribution and Export in Chesterfield

Chesterfield is an ideal location for Wholesale, Distribution and Export businesses due to the network links and easy access to the M1 motorway.

We have seen an increased business growth in this sector through the Markham Vale development, one of the UKs premier logistics locations. Businesses located at the 200-acre business park include Daher Aerospace Limited, Great Bear, Ferdinand Bilstein, Grangers Ltd, MSE Hiller and Industrial Ancillaries, just to name a few!

1000’s of jobs are supported at Markham Vale; for anyone interested in starting a career at Markham Vale you can see the latest vacancies over on the Jobs at Markham Vale Facebook page.

The Apprentice Perspective

The success of Markham Vale has supported the growth of businesses in this sector. Located at Markham Vale, MSE Hiller supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries.

Ewan Walker, Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at MSE Hiller is responsible for engineering the products which the company distribute across the UK.

Ewan said: “I chose an apprenticeship in this sector as I have an interest in mechanical engineering and want to be a part of the future of mechanical engineering. I enjoy that every day is slightly different and there’s constantly new challenges to overcome.

One benefit of choosing an engineering apprenticeship is that you’re learning a skill and gaining a qualification, whilst earning an income.”

Chesterfield based Superior Wellness is Europe’s largest hot tub distributor, importing from several countries to offer a wide choice of hot tubs, swim spas and other related products to the trade and retail customers.

Meet Elicia Allott and Will Brooks, Digital Marketing Apprentices at Superior Wellness.

Marketing and having a digital presence plays an important role in this sector, to ensure your company is well-known by stakeholders across the world.

Elicia said: “I’m involved in the maintenance of my company’s digital presence, including website content editing, email marketing, social media management and content creation.

The digital marketing industry is such a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry, therefore going down the apprenticeship route has given me an opportunity to immerse myself straight into the industry and get hands on experience. Choosing an apprenticeship in digital marketing means that I am able to build on my digital marketing knowledge to gain relevant and qualifications alongside developing my skills such as creativity through real work experience.”

Will added: “Personally, for me, as university was never in my plan, completing an apprenticeship was always the path I wanted to pursue. It is easy when you’re young to overlook how beneficial an apprenticeship can be, but hopefully sharing my experience will help others see the huge benefit.

Overall, I feel the benefit of choosing an apprenticeship is you get the chance to learn on the job from a young age, whilst bringing in a stable income and also developing your skills within a proper working environment.”

Global Brands is one of the UK’s leading drinks brand development businesses which owns, markets and distributes a range of brands across the spirit, beer, ready to drink beverages and energy drink categories. Global Brands exports to over 30 countries around the world including Germany, Spain and Africa.

Level 3 Business Admin Apprentices, Gaby Hopkinson and Charlotte Pebworth, shared their experiences as an apprentice at Global Brands.

Charlotte said: “We are both doing a business admin apprenticeship in a warehouse setting for Global Brands. Both Gaby and I have an interest in business studies and we both studied it at sixth form and college. We enjoy the relaxed environment we work in and working alongside our experienced and supportive colleagues. It is a hugely successful business, and we are glad to be a part of the team.”

Gaby added: “An apprenticeship provides experience of the working environment, whilst learning the job at the same time. We get paid to learn and it’s all about gaining the experience to progress through the business in the future.”

Find an Apprenticeship in Wholesale, Distribution and Export

As you can see from the apprentices that we spoke to, the Wholesale, Distribution and Export sector offers various job roles to suit every skill set and an apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to kickstart your career.

Use our search tool to browse the hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies currently available in and around Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/