Sector skills shortage 'a ticking timebomb'

Changing the perception of logistics and overhauling recruitment strategies is crucial to tackling labour shortages and stopping the “ticking timebomb” of a devastating skills shortage, according to the FTA.

Recent research by Talent in Logistics found just 8% of young people consider the industry to be an attractive career option and 42% did not even know what logistics is.

The FTA said businesses now anticipate 15% of their current HGV driver vacancies will go unfilled and this concern is mirrored for warehouse staff, fitters, technicians and mechanics as well.

The trade association is running an event on 29 October, where Talent In Logistics will help companies understand and overcome the factors that are discouraging young people from considering a career in the industry.

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Sally Gilson, FTA head of skills said: “Attracting younger generations into the workforce is vital to help tackle the labour shortage, but with just 8% of people aged between 11-20 years old drawn to a career in logistics, it is clear we need to change the perception of the industry and alter recruitment strategies.”

Ruth Edwards, business development director at Talent in Logistics, said: “One of the key themes we discuss as a business is attracting talent, and so this session will hopefully provide attendees with thought provoking ideas for their future recruitment strategies.”

The Talent in Logistics research also found 26% of young people said they did not believe there was gender diversity in the sector and only 18% had been spoken to at school or sixth form about logistics as a career path.

“The perception of logistics is arguably the biggest problem facing the sector when trying to recruit new talent,” Edwards added.