Leading Logistics Firm launches Rapid Career Development Programme to recruit passionate people straight from school

Europa Worldwide Group is a specialist road, air & sea and warehouse operator, with a £180m turnover which employs 900 staff across 16 sites in the UK, plus Belgium, Czech Republic and Hong Kong. 

The first successful candidate to secure a job at the business’s Europa Road branch in Nottingham is 18-year-old Max Holbrook. 

The initiative Europa’s Rapid Career Development Programme, is the brainchild of Europa’s Managing Director Andrew Baxter, who aims to recruit 30 enthusiastic and driven individuals straight from school, this year who will then be trained and guided internally to become future leaders of the business. The goal is to appeal to highly ambitious and focused individuals who are keen to learn and earn, to hit the ground running and to start progressing up the career ladder from as early as 18-years-old.

Branch and Sales Director at Europa Dionne Redpath said:

“We’re delighted that Max has become the first appointment on our unique RCDP at our Nottingham branch. He really impressed at interview and demonstrated a natural flair already!

“This is a career jumpstart programme – learning on the job from our experienced Account Managers. The four-year programme will see Max progress from junior/ trainee team members to experienced Account Managers earning upwards of £30,000 per year, with a company car phone and laptop plus annual performance related bonuses. This sort of opportunity for school leavers is rare, if not unheard of in my experience, and we’re thrilled to be leading the way in piloting such an exciting and dynamic initiative.”

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.

Managing Director at Europa Andrew Baxter said:

“I’m a passionate advocate of learning on the job and gaining experience in your chosen career path without the burden of starting a career in debt. I personally didn’t go to university and started working straight from school – and today I’m directing an international business, employing 900 staff on course to exceed the £220m turnover mark by the end of this year. That’s why we launched this programme – to find the young people out there who have the same drive and passion as myself and my senior team and to embed them within our business from a young age.”

Max, who joined Europa in August – is part of a team of eight in Nottingham and is being mentored by its branch manager Joe Partner.  Max added: “This is a great opportunity, I feel like I’m learning every day – this isn’t an apprenticeship it’s more unique, and I’m glad to be part of such a great team here in Nottingham.

“I knew in the sixth form that University wasn’t the best option for me, I worked in retail whilst I was at school and wanted to get into a career straightaway rather than continue in education. I find it’s much better to learn hands-on especially with an experienced company in an ever-growing industry.”

The aim of the RCDP is to attract young people who are savvy, full of common sense and eager to learn – with the pilot set to be rolled out to Europa Road 13 other UK branches this year.