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Apprenticeships – the key to unlocking the next generation of talent
National Apprenticeship Week has seen a flurry of activity from the Department for Transport (DfT), Logistics UK and its members on how to develop new and promote existing apprenticeship schemes to attract the next generation of logistics professionals.
GET INVOLVED WITH LOGISTICS UK’S APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT
Logistics UK’s training division is currently working on developing an external apprenticeship project, which is designed to help support members to shape and inform their own apprenticeship strategies.
David Jordan, Deputy Operations Director – Services, said: “We are very excited to be developing this new apprenticeship offering. While we are still at an early stage in this project, we have assigned a dedicated Apprenticeship Manager – Annie Graham – to work with Logistics UK staff to devise and refine a new offering and strategy.”
Annie Graham, who has a wealth of apprenticeship experience, said: “I am delighted to be part of this exciting project and will be reaching out to members to establish how we may support now and in the future.”
Members that are interested in working on this project are encouraged to contact Logistics UK.
GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION AND TASKFORCE
On Monday (7 February 2022), DfT launched a 12-week consultation – Transport labour market and skills – seeking views and ideas on how to find and train the next generation of transport leaders.
Alongside this, a new taskforce is being launched that will seek to promote careers and create thousands of opportunities for the next generation.
THE FIVE PILLARS
The consultation will consider both the barriers and the opportunities for careers in transport, setting out five pillars that DfT wants to carry out in collaboration with external partners, including industry, academia and the not-for-profit sector.
The five pillars are:
- Preparing for future skills
- Improving training and employment
- Promoting careers in transport
- Boosting diversity, inclusion and social mobility
- Building evidence and evaluating progress
Consultation responses will inform the five pillars and help steer the direction of the work being undertaken by an industry-led taskforce.
Working with DfT, the taskforce will develop a programme to support the sector in accessing skilled workers as the government seeks to build back better following the pandemic and create a transport system fit for the future.
In a joint foreword to the consultation paper, Andrew Stephenson MP, Transport Minister for Skills, and Rachel Skinner CBE, Chair of the Transport Employment and Skills Taskforce, said: “Not having enough people with the right skills across the transport sector can have significant consequences across the wider economy that relies on an effective and efficient transport system. Acting now to develop the workforce of the future will help us maintain and grow our global reputation. We must take steps to ensure careers, training, and opportunity are accessible to all.”
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES
This week, Logistics UK has been urging members to take advantage of the apprenticeship schemes already available to develop the talent the industry needs to keep the UK’s supply chains operating effectively.
Alex Veitch, Deputy Director – Public Policy at Logistics UK, comments: “With more than half of decision makers reporting that apprenticeships and work-based learning will be vital for the future of their organisation – according to Logistics UK’s 2021 Skills and Employment Report – maximising the opportunities afforded by apprenticeship schemes will be essential in overcoming the skills shortage faced in the logistics industry.
“The government recognises the value of these schemes and has shown a commitment to growing the opportunities for apprenticeships in the industry. In 2021 it increased the available funding to £7,000 for a Category C + E licence HGV Driver apprenticeship and created a new “Urban Driver” Apprenticeship for Cat C only with funding of £5,000. With these and many other apprenticeships in place, it is the perfect time for logistics companies to take advantage of these opportunities.
“Now, Logistics UK is urging the Department for Education to expand the terms of its National Skills Fund (NSF) – an initiative to help adults train into new careers – to include level 2 qualifications so British workers can access this funding to train as HGV drivers, and other vital roles the logistics industry desperately needs to fill.”
Minister Trudy Harrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, said: “Apprenticeships can open doors to fantastic and rewarding careers in logistics. They bring forward new talent to help build and maintain our resilient supply chains – keeping stock moving and supermarket shelves full.”
*https://logistics.org.uk/skills
Published On: 10/02/2022 16:00:52
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