A new trailblazer apprenticeship standard for managers in express delivery companies has been given the green light by BIS.

The Institute of Couriers submitted the application for the standard earlier this year in light of increasing demands on the e-retail sector.

The newly-approved apprenticeship model will take the form of a five year course, beginning with management CPC or Fors practitioner workshops, evolving into part time study with a university.

Institutes involved include Manchester Metropolitan University, University of West London and Derby University.

It is thought the apprenticeship will be up and running in September 2017 – five months after the government’s apprenticeship levy comes into force.

CitySprint was the lead employer on the bid, and the firm’s sales and marketing director Justin Moore, who chairs the employer group for the apprenticeship, said: “This is excellent news. This is a game changer for both recruitment and existing success of our express management teams.”