Haulage & Logistics Workforce Development Partnership

The first meeting of this Workforce Development Partnership took place on March 21st at DoubleTree by Hilton in Newbury. A range of employers and training providers met to find out more about the Local Skills Improvement Plans for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. We were lucky enough to have input from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Bethany Windsor who joined us remotely to update everyone on their work in promoting the breadth of careers in the sector. The Generation Logistics programme aims to bring employers and training providers together and to get young people thinking about careers in the sector. This is helped by an ambassador programme, which sees current and recently retired staff visit schools and colleges to promote the sector.

Local skills needs were presented by our Employer Champion for the sector, Richard Perriman, from Scan Global Logistics. He also emphasised the importance of positive ambassadors for the sector promoting career opportunities, as well as the need to make sure teachers were aware of the latest developments in the sector. He emphasised that good careers can be built in the sector and that there are great progression opportunities within it. People can rise high in the sector with the right work ethic and the determination and resilience to succeed. These kinds of ‘employability’ skills are vital, as are good basic IT skills. There were also wider discussions around attracting more level 1 learners into the sector and the opportunities they would then have to progress. As well as growing apprenticeship numbers and looking at a local promotional event, with employer, educator, and student presence, to better promote opportunities.

Key actions to take forward included: The sharing of resources from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) with Careers Organisations for use with schools and colleges; working with Generation Logistics to get more sector ambassadors in front of students; working on a pilot programme of work placements with key employers and providers; a joint LSIP/CILT event to be run in the Autumn to bring employer, provider and learner voices together.