Packed parliamentary reception celebrates industry's skills campaign

In just five short months, the campaign has driven over one million engagements via social media.

Led by Logistics UK and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and backed by the Department for Transport (DfT), the Generation Logistics campaign aims to shift perceptions of the logistics industry and showcase the career paths available in the sector.

Phil Roe, President of Logistics UK and Project Lead for Generation Logistics, extended a warm welcome to delegates at the special reception: “We are here tonight to celebrate the people entering the logistics profession – as apprentices, graduates or straight from education or training, to reflect on the progress of Generation Logistics.”

Acknowledging the collaboration from sponsors, trade association partners, DfT, DWP, DfE and supporters across the breadth of the logistics industry and all nations within the UK, Roe said that Generation Logistics was everyone’s campaign, and helped showcase the opportunities the sector has to offer and build a workforce fit for the future.

“We are challenging the perceptions of logistics – we are data experts, project managers, drivers, warehouse colleagues, climate scientists, digital innovators, HR and communications professionals – you name it, you can do it in the sector. Our message is that this is a great place to develop your career and explore new opportunities, whatever your age, education and background.”

MAJOR MILESTONES PASSED

Last autumn, an awareness campaign was launched to highlight the range of opportunities in the sector, along with a comprehensive web portal containing career advice and guidance, features, video content and news, as well as employment opportunities.

“We have already created more than 113 million opportunities to see our messaging, driven over one million engagements with our social media channels and registered over 260,000 visits to our website – all in five months,” Roe said, “We will continue to use social media, digital marketing, radio and podcasts, and PR – as well as out of home activity – to raise awareness and challenge the way people who don’t work in the sector think about logistics.”

The purpose of the parliamentary reception was to bring that message to Westminster to ask for the support of parliamentarians and officials in the next phase of the campaign. “We need you as advocates for the logistics sector,” Roe said.

FOCUS ON NEXT GENERATION

In the coming year, the Generation Logistics campaign will be increasing its focus on 14-24-year-olds – a hugely important age group for people choosing a career path. It will also be launching the first ever careers booklet to the logistics sector, which will go to teachers and careers advisors across the UK’s schools and colleges. The campaign team is also developing the plan to get logistics into the curriculum in schools by focussing upon the obvious overlaps with maths, business studies and geography.

“For too long we have been underrepresented in education and it is great to see the campaign expand into this critical area,” Roe said.

The ambassador programme is increasing its participation across all ages and is up to around 170 advocates.

Concluding his speech, Roe said: “Together, we can build a passionate and diverse logistics workforce for the future. One which will continue to support the growth of the economy across all sectors, meeting the twin challenges of productivity and decarbonisation that we face as a nation.”

MINISTERIAL INSIGHTS

Following his address, Roe introduced Transport Minister Richard Holden MP.

Highlighting the work being carried out by the logistics industry to address the long-standing awareness issues faced by the sector, Minister Holden underlined the importance of logistics, supply chains and those that keep goods moving to strengthen the economy and build resilience. 

“Our dynamic transport sector moves billions of tonnes of goods across the country every year, so we need to make sure it keeps evolving so that it’s fit for the future,” the minister said, “Our Generation Logistics careers programme with the sector is helping make this industry even stronger and will help pave the way for everyone to join the sector easily and secure a good, permanent job in this thriving sector.”

*www.generationlogistics.org

Published On: 16/02/2023 16:00:54

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