Logistics Associate Apprenticeship

The Logistics Associate Apprenticeship gives you hands-on experience in the movement, storage, and distribution of goods across supply chains. You will learn how freight is managed through ports, warehouses, and distribution centres, and gain a solid grounding in customs procedures — increasingly important since Brexit changed trade flows between Ireland, the UK, and the EU. Your week is split between on-the-job training with an approved employer and off-the-job learning delivered by a designated education provider. Topics cover transport operations, inventory control, documentation, and compliance. You will also develop skills in logistics software and customer communication, preparing you for a fast-paced, commercially critical sector.

Entry to the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship is through an employer who registers you with SOLAS under the Generation Apprenticeship programme, so securing a position with an approved employer is the first step. Most employers look for a Leaving Certificate or equivalent, and subjects such as Business, Mathematics, and Geography are useful for understanding commercial and freight contexts. There are no fixed minimum CAO points as this is an earn-and-learn route rather than a college application. Mature applicants (aged 23 or over) and those with relevant work experience in transport, warehousing, or retail may also be considered by employers. QQI Level 5 courses in Business, Supply Chain, or Logistics from a College of Further Education can also strengthen your application. The HEAR and DARE access schemes do not apply here, but some employers actively recruit from diverse backgrounds as part of broader workforce development initiatives.

The post-Brexit customs environment has significantly increased employer demand for logistics professionals who understand trade documentation, tariff classifications, and import/export compliance. Graduate employment rates in this sector are strong, with many apprentices offered permanent positions by their training employer upon completion. Salaries for Logistics Coordinators and Customs Agents in Ireland typically range from approximately €28,000 to €42,000 gross per year, rising with experience and specialisation. The continued growth of e-commerce and Ireland's reliance on international trade make this a sector with reliable long-term employment prospects.