Rena Heer joined Independent Freight Solutions in 2021 as a Business Administration Apprentice after completing a criminology degree at university.
The 24-year-old from Coventry has since progressed to a Freight Team Leader role while completing her second apprenticeship – this time in freight forwarding. In this blog, Rena reflects on her IFS journey so far.
After finishing my degree in criminology, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work in a supportive, small-company environment where I could really get involved and expand my skills, and that’s what drew me to IFS in 2021.
My Business Administration Apprenticeship lasted 15 months and shortly after I was offered a permanent role and began my second apprenticeship – focussing on freight forwarding.
It has been extremely beneficial to me, with the grounding of my first apprenticeship, as it’s tailored to the industry. I’ve been involved in accounts, customs, sales, really getting to understand all areas of the business, picking up and applying lots of industry specific knowledge.
I’ve learned so much during that time – and while I’ve had to complete a number of assessments, the majority of my learning has been practical and that has been one of the standout features of my early career.
In university, I didn’t enjoy sitting exams. I preferred hands-on learning and real-world experience. This route has helped me see myself differently and learn in a way that works for me.
I’ve always wanted a role where every day is different, and this job delivers that. There’s always something new to learn, and the variety means you have to be comfortable dealing with lots of different people from different disciplines.
It’s been a big step up to the position of Freight Team leader, but the support I’ve received has been amazing.
The senior team here are incredibly knowledgeable and approachable. I’m constantly learning just by working alongside them. But the key is they put a lot of trust in me and genuinely want me to grow, and that makes all the difference.
My day-to-day responsibilities as a Freight Team Leader are diverse and engaging. I manage the distribution of workload across our team, ensuring everyone has the right balance of tasks.
It’s a role that requires adaptability and strong communication skills, but the variety makes each day interesting and rewarding.
This apprenticeship has helped me build confidence, gain industry knowledge, and realise that I want to keep developing my skills in the freight and logistics industry. It’s been the right choice for me in every way.
If you want to keep learning while working, or make a solid start in a new industry, I’d definitely recommend looking into apprenticeships. It is helped me find a career I thoroughly enjoy, in a company that values my development.
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