Think Logistics

Almost 100 delegates from road transport operators and training providers last week (9 May) attended the national launch of Think Logistics, an initiative to get school leavers interested in a career in logistics developed by Abbey Logistics MD Steve Granite.

Granite and a steering group of half a dozen other operators have come up with a three-hour presentation that can be used by any operator to present to six formers, to give them an overview and introduction to logistics and the career opportunities it offers. The material has been successfully piloted at two schools and Granite (pictured at All Saints school) now wants 25 other operators to join the group with the aim of presenting to 1,000 students in 2013.

At the launch event at Whittlebury Hall near Towcester, Granite explained that the idea for Think Logistics came from Abbey Logistics’ approach to his former school, All Saints in Kirkby, Merseyside, to recruit two management trainees. Granite himself joined the company straight from school as a trainee accountant and rose to MD. The initiative is designed to recruit school leavers at all levels and all roles with an operator, from drivers and warehousemen to management trainees.

Think Logistics consists of three modules: the first is a package of material that operators can customise to present to around 50 sixth formers their local school; the second is a visit to the operator’s site for 10 to 15 students who found the presentation of particular interest. The third and optional phase is to take on one or more students as paid interns before offering them an apprenticeship or other employment.

Justine Thatcher, head of business studies at Nelson and Colne College, pointed out that the worlds of logistics and education are very different, and that employers trying to forge links with a local school or college had to take the right approach. “Don’t call us after 4.30pm or in school holidays,” she said. “And go direct to the head of department not to the admin people.”

She said the response to the Think Logistics session presented at her college by Matthew Kibble, MD of Matthew Kibble Transport, had been very well received and she was now working with him on a number of other projects.

Julia Phillips, regional manager, East Midlands, at Career Academies UK explained that her organisation was a charity that helps middle-achieving school leavers into careers by working with employers to build their workplace skills and confidence. It has links with 180 schools around the UK and can help employers who want to use Think Logistics find a school to work with.

To get involved in Think Logistics email Steve Granite on Steve.Granite@abbeylogisticsgroup.com

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