Think Logistics has set itself a target of ensuring 1,000 students aged 16 to 18 attend one of its workshops by May 2016, and is urging operators to take part in the half-day sessions.

The initiative, founded by Abbey Logistics MD Steve Granite, is an industry-led project that aims to raise young people’s understanding of the logistics sector and inform them about the range of career paths available.

Operators are needed to commit to running a three-hour workshop and provide staff who will act as facilitators to support students, with the possibility of later offering work experience, internships or apprenticeships to any youngsters who show an aptitude and enthusiasm for the sector.

Ian Nichol, who heads up the Think Logistics project within Career Academies UK – a programme that prepares students for the workplace – said: “The project gives employers direct access to a talent pipeline of young people who can be developed to provide the skills the sector will need to be successful in the future, such as IT, customer service, communications, problem solving and project planning.”

He added that Think Logistics will play a key part in addressing the skills gaps that were identified in recent research by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

It said younger workers are required to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology in the road transport sector, otherwise many firms risk being left behind by competitors.

For more details, contact ian.nichol@careeracademies.org.uk

  • Career Academies UK has revealed the locations for five new Logistics Academies, following its successful bid for a £50,000 grant from vocational training charity the Edge Foundation. The new academies will be in the North East, Humberside, the East Midlands golden triangle, Greater Manchester and the M5 corridor. Neil Caldwell has been appointed to lead the roll-out. The first Logistics Academy opened in Liverpool in September. A report by UKCES published earlier this month, found more than 67,000 employees working in the logistics sector are [in terms of skills and training] not proficient in their jobs, which is a risk to businesses.

Topics