Jason Bradley

While AKW Group has no formal apprenticeship program, it has benefitted from hiring apprentices and today credits its strength to the young people it hired years ago.

Jason Bradley and Shaun Kelly are just two of the apprentices still in the business.

Operations manager Jason Bradley, 43, started his logistics career with the company in 1986 when the company had six drivers and three office staff. Then, the company's turnover was only GBP325,000 (USD498,407). Today, AKW Group has an annual turnover of over GBP20 million (USD30.7 million), employs over 250 people and still retains seven of the 12 apprentices it has hired over the years.

Bradley says AKW's commitment to supporting his development has been crucial to his progression. "Whether it was gaining my forklift and HGV driver's licences or the accountancy and director development courses I've completed more recently, the culture of the business has always been to help me achieve the most I can.

"I've been with thecompany from its earliest days and to have been given the opportunity to develop my career as the firm has gone from strength to strength is something I'm really proud of."

He adds that John Penningon, the transport manager when he began work with AKW Group, was an influential mentor in his career who taught him about work ethics and responsibility.

In 1997, Shaun Kelly also joined the company from school as a general administration apprentice.

Kelly, 31, is now the warehouse manager for AKW Group's facility that is a part of the 500,000 sqft (46,452 sqm) of warehousing the company has at Trafford Park.

"So much has changed since I started with AKW Group and if there is an opportunity to progress within the company, they will always give you the opportunity to take it," he says.

"Now, the more experienced staff like me are passing on our advice and experience to the next generation of apprentices within the firm in the same way."

Chairman and founder Tony Worthington says: "We have always valued the importance of long-term planning and nurturing the next generation of talented people to ensure the company remains in a strong position in the future," he adds.

AKW Group currently has three apprentices ranging from 17 to 23 years old.

Founded in 1981 by Tony Worthington, AKW Group's first headquarters was in Castlefield, Manchester. The logistics company started as a traditional haulier, specialising in collecting and delivering for the freight forwarders situated around Manchester Docks.