Part of the Government’s Future of Freight plans, the campaign aims to raise awareness of an industry often overlooked by those seeking employment and challenge their pre-conceptions about what working in logistics can offer.
The new campaign is backed by the Department for Transport alongside companies from all sides of the logistics industry and co-ordinated by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and business group Logistics UK.
Phil Roe, President of Logistics UK, said: “Our research has revealed that 90 per cent of the population has never considered working in our industry, yet it employs over 2.6 million people. At a time when recruitment of new staff has never been more difficult, this campaign will lift the lid on the opportunities which logistics has on offer and encourage workers of all ages to investigate the careers which our businesses can provide.”
Starting with a focus on young adults aged 16 - 24 years, the campaign will then target other potential employee groups, including career switchers and maternity- or paternity-leave returners. Generation Logistics centres on a new platform designed to highlight the many benefits of working in the industry and outline how logistics roles can, and do, meet the highest priorities of the next generation of workers. The site offers an online hub full of resources, learning materials and job openings, alongside partnerships with leading industry bodies, trade associations and vital core businesses across all freight modes including Amazon, DHL, Stobart and Tesco PLC.
The campaign’s organisers are confident that Generation Logistics will make it significantly easier for people to kick start their career in the industry and future-proof the sector’s workforce. Phil Roe continued: “The pandemic shone a light on the logistics industry, underlining the importance of our staff as key workers and the critical role our sector plays in everyday life. With that in mind, it’s crucial we do all we can to engage with the next generation right now to encourage them to bring their talents to our industry. We are hoping to puncture some of the myths around the sector, and provide a clear, practical pathway for those who want to explore whether a career in logistics could be for them - from truck drivers through to data scientists, robotics engineers and everything in-between.”
Transport Minister Karl McCartney said: “The Generation Logistics campaign, backed by Government funding, will support the sector to grow from strength to strength, helping to recruit and retain a skilled workforce and shift perceptions of the industry. I’d encourage people from all walks of life to seriously consider kickstarting a rewarding and exciting career in logistics right now, with a wide range of opportunities on offer.”
Bethany Windsor, Programme Manager of Generation Logistics, added: “Filling roles in logistics is a challenge, as many people do not know we exist, or appreciate the breadth of jobs available. Through Generation Logistics, we will raise awareness of the many opportunities on offer and highlight the accessibility of those opportunities across all ages, locations and educational backgrounds. The logistics sector keeps Great Britain moving and there truly is a career within it for everyone – we’re looking forward to sharing them over the next 12 months!”
For more information about the campaign, please visit: www.generationlogistics.org