Leading logistics firm Europa Worldwide Group which has a branch located in Media Village, Waterfront Quay, Salford Quays, Manchester is championing efforts to support young people by developing its own career programme, creating opportunities for a career in sales in logistics.

This year, the programme has been extended to include graduates, with applications open until 12 February 2021. So far Europa has seen a hugely successful response, with Manchester in the top three of the most popular cities across the country for graduate applications.

It follows news of the Government’s recently launched Kick Start programme, which provides funding to employers to create job placements, highlighting the challenging job market for 16 to 24 year olds.

Following a successful launch last year, Europa’s RAPID Career Development Programme has been re-launched for 2021 and so far has seen a vast increase in the number of applicants in comparison to its first year.

The RAPID programme gives school-leavers and graduates the opportunity to become part of its Europa Road sales team, which specialise in European road freight. Europa will be placing a RAPID school-leaver and graduate in each of its 13 UK branches, with a view to potentially add a second graduate in its larger branches.

Paul Marin, Branch Manager for Europa Road’s Manchester branch, comments: “The pandemic has shone a light on logistics, so we are seeing an increase in the level of understanding amongst both school-leavers and graduates. With this in mind, we felt it was the right time to extend the programme to university students. The response and calibre of graduate candidates in the Manchester area has so far been fantastic.”

Lana Jay, Europa Worldwide Group’s Early Careers Talent Manager explains why this year the programme is unique in that they are spreading the opportunity wider, to find the brightest and best young individuals. She comments: “The graduate addition will work in partnership with the current programme focusing on school-leavers. We have been talking, mostly virtually, to schools and universities across the country to explain the innovative and dynamic opportunity.

“Over the next couple of months, we will be taking interviews via video screenings, hoping to have our new Graduate join our Europa Road team in early April. To support their transition from education to becoming part of the Europa Road sales team, we have a uniquely tailored programme of training and development and we can’t wait to get started with our new class of RAPIDs later in the year!”

The innovative RAPID Career Development Programme showcases Europa’s continued investment into the next generation of talent in logistics. Also available to school-leavers, with applications open until 30th April 2021, the successful applicants will have a starting salary of £22,500, benefits including a company car and the chance to earn extra commission after just a few months.

Europa Worldwide Group is a specialist road, air & sea and warehouse operator, with a £205m turnover which employs over 1,000 staff across 16 sites in the UK, plus Belgium and Hong Kong.

The initiative is the brainchild of Europa’s Managing Director Andrew Baxter, designed to appeal to highly ambitious and focused individuals who are keen to earn and learn, hit the ground running and progress up the sales career ladder from as early as 18-years-old.

Europa’s own management team can tell some inspiring success stories of starting at a junior level and working their way up to Director level, moving roles internally and progressing and developing gradually through the business.

An 11-unit business park in Rochdale is now completely full – securing 130 jobs in the borough.

Rochdale Council’s Logic development at Kingsway Business Park is now completely let to a range of manufacturers, engineering companies and technical businesses.

The development is adjacent to junction 21 of the M62 and totals 60,000 sq ft, with unit sizes varying between 3,090 sq ft and 16,185 sq ft.

The council secured rent of £7.50 per sq ft and say Logic safeguarded 47 jobs and generated 83 new roles in the borough.

Cllr John Blundell, an RDA board member and Rochdale Council cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “We recognised that the market was only catering for the big units and we felt SMEs also wanted great facilities and a fabulous location.”

Barnfield Construction built the units with Wilson Bowden acting as project managers. The retained agents were BC Real Estate, Barton Kendal and JLL.

Logic was built speculatively and bought by Rochdale Council and is managed by Rochdale Development Agency.

Cllr Blundell said: “There simply weren’t many speculative developments of units of this size being build when we committed to Logic.

“We didn’t want to miss out on the logistics market because the location lends itself to that and each unit is equipped with a 4.8 metre high door to allow an artic lorry to drive in.

“Most of the interest came from businesses that were looking for a regional or north Manchester presence.

“What we found was that the occupiers tended to be existing Rochdale businesses looking to upgrade or companies that wanted to move to Rochdale to take advantage of the connectivity, infrastructure and labour pool.

“The units look great and the feedback we’ve had from occupiers is that their clients are staff are similarly impressed.

“Without the council’s support Logic wouldn’t have happened but we’re not resting on our laurels because we know there are lot more businesses looking to expand or relocate in Rochdale.”

Phil Cornell, CEO of KP Industries, a conveyor systems manufacturer, said taking two units at Logic had helped his business.

“We’re working with some of the biggest names in the automotive, aerospace and nuclear sectors so it’s vital our facilities reflect our ambition to be a world class business in the industry,” he said.

“We took the space at Logic primarily because of its location next to the M62 and its impressive appearance. When we bring clients to the facility it’s important that our facilities create the right image for the business.

“Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency assisted us in finding our first facility in 2004 and helped us find these units at Logic. They’ve also helped us find apprentices. We’ve always been based in the town and there’s a lot of positivity around Rochdale especially manufacturing. Some of the technology we have is second to none.”

Situated just off junction 21 of the M62, the cities and airports of Manchester and Leeds are within 30 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. Kingsway Business Park also has its own Metrolink station providing direct access to Manchester city centre and beyond.