February 2, 2024
AGI News
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we caught up with Georgia Stowell, the Director of our Bristol office who joined us as an apprentice in 2014; Georgia was our first ever apprentice and was appointed a Director in 2023.
Read on to find out all about Georgia’s journey over the last 9 years!
Georgia’s Journey
Back in July 2014 Georgia joined us as a Business Administration apprentice (pictured), setting out to build a career, having just left school. Georgia began: “I decided quite early on that I didn’t want to go down the more traditional route of college or university, so I was really excited to join AGI as an apprentice.”
Georgia continued: “The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to further my studies in a working environment, surrounded by freight forwarding specialists, gaining valuable experience from those around me.”
On starting with us Georgia was initially placing customer bookings and completing the administration for our Bristol office. Like any apprenticeship, there was a lot to learn! But with on-the-job training, allocated time to study, and a really supportive network of colleagues, Georgia successfully completed her Business Administration apprenticeship, learning a series of business skills, as well as receiving an excellent introduction into the world of freight forwarding.
Upon completion of her apprenticeship, Georgia took on a new role, becoming a Logistics Coordinator for our Bristol office.
Georgia commented: “Throughout my apprenticeship, I learnt so many new skills, and I’m still using those skills today! From business & finance to time management & operations, it was a real journey, and I’m so grateful I was able to complete my apprenticeship with such a knowledgeable team around me. Completing my apprenticeship definitely set me up for career progression within AGI.”
Backed up by the skills gained from her apprenticeship, Georgia’s development continued, and over the next 6 years, Georgia was promoted to an Operations Supervisor and an Operations Manager, managing a team for the first time.
Georgia continued: “Completing my apprenticeship gave me real confidence to take on new challenges, and when the opportunity arose to take on more responsibility, and manage a team, I jumped at the chance!”
The next step in Georgia’s AGI career came in October 2022, when Georgia was appointed the General Manager of the Bristol office, and a year later, Georgia was appointed a Director of our Bristol office, completing Georgia’s journey from an apprentice to a company Director.
And when you speak to Georgia, her passion for apprenticeships is clear. Georgia commented: “5 apprentices have joined the Bristol office since I completed my apprenticeship, and I am delighted that our apprentices have a 100% pass rate! Seeing our apprentices grow and develop takes me back to my time as an apprentice, and it’s great to see they have the same enthusiasm for their apprenticeships as I did!”
Georgia continued: “I am in the fortunate position to know how much hard work goes into completing an apprenticeship, and seeing our apprentices develop their own new set of skills is fantastic. We also have 2 apprentices in the Bristol office about to take their exams, and I know they have both worked incredibly hard, so I’m excited to see how they get on, and work with them on the next steps of their careers with AGI.”
Employee development is something we are passionate about at AGI, and we are always looking at ways to upskill and develop our team. This includes on-the-job training, attending webinars and other training courses, as well as spending time building strong relationships, networking and knowledge sharing with our suppliers.
In fact, Georgia and 2 colleagues from the Bristol office were lucky enough to represent AGI at an event organised by the Young Forwarder Network, having a tour of the Port of Southampton, and seeing how the operation runs portside. This proved invaluable, and gave the team a real understanding of the processes that go on behind-the-scenes at a port. And it’s these sorts of events that offer continued learning and development for our colleagues.
Georgia concluded: “Looking back, my apprenticeship offered me the opportunity to learn an array of new skills, and forge a career for myself, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities offered to me by AGI.”
Here at AGI, we believe that everyone has the opportunity to build a career in freight forwarding, and an apprenticeship is one avenue into the industry.
12% of our current team originally joined us as apprentices, and they have all gone on to build careers at AGI. This year we have 7 apprentices working towards completing their Level 3 International Freight Forwarding apprenticeships, and we look forward to supporting the development of their future career paths with us.
Career Opportunities
If you are looking to take your first steps into freight forwarding and logistics, an apprenticeship could be for you!
All of our current vacancies, including apprenticeships, are listed on our careers page, which can be found by clicking here. If any of the positions are of interest to you, we’d love to hear from you, and for all of the latest AGI news, don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!