Two teenagers have kick-started their careers straight from school after being accepted onto the first ever intake of Europa Worldwide Group’s RAPID Career Development Programme.
Alisha Bowley, 18, of The Long Eaton School and Kian Nelis, 18, of The Redhill Academy have just started on the personally tailored four-year programme which, once completed, will position them as future leaders of the business and in management roles by the age of 22.
Alisha said she was delighted to have been accepted on the RAPID programme which is a game-changer in the logistics sector as it is the first of its kind.
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She said: “I was thrilled when I got the phone call to say I’d impressed the team at Europa with my thorough preparation and enthusiasm for the programme.
"It was a testing interview and assessment process and so being picked as a RAPID and a potential future leader of the business feels like a real achievement before I’ve even started working towards my goals at Europa.
“I can’t wait to see what the next four years holds and to become an integral part of the future of the business.”
The campaign is the brainchild of Andrew Baxter, Europa’s managing director.
As a successful business owner who started working straight from school, Andrew is a passionate advocate of learning on the job and giving young people the tools to build a thriving career.
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Europa is the 海角视频’s largest independent freight forwarder. It employs over 900 staff across 16 sites in the 海角视频, plus Belgium and Hong Kong, and has a site at Colwick Quays Business Park in Nottingham.
The firm's search for the country’s brightest and most passionate students interested in a career in logistics began in April.
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Lana Jay was recruited as early career talent manager, then the firm whittled down hundreds of applications to find the final 19 recruits who are now working in the Europa Road and Europa Air & Sea divisions.
Lana said: "The programme was created to offer a unique, fast track scheme for bright and passionate young people aged 18 to 21 to reach senior leadership roles within four years of joining the organisation.
“We have some amazing candidates who when given the training and guidance provided will become great additions to the Europa team.”
Andrew said: “As someone who went straight into work instead of going to University, I value giving others the opportunity to do the same.
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“It’s been a long process to get to this point – from creating the idea to running a pilot scheme and holding assessment days – we’ve spent a lot of time and investment to ensure the programme is successful.
"Most importantly, we wanted to make sure we had the right people for the job. I believe we’ve hired some really strong individuals and I’m looking forward to see what they can achieve in the years to come.”
Europa Worldwide Group is a specialist road, air & sea and warehouse operator, with a £180m turnover which employs over 900 staff across 16 sites in the 海角视频, plus Belgium and Hong Kong.