London, UK: A new industry campaign has launched to boost awareness and recruitment in the logistics industry.
The campaign, Generation Logistics, is co-ordinated by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Logistics UK, in partnership with the Department for Transport.
the campaign aims to attract, identify and develop a new and diverse generation
of talent to fill vacancies industry-wide and future-proof the sector, says Phil Roe, president, Logistics UK.
“Generation Logistics will provide our industry with the capability to attract and retain the skilled and ambitious workforce which it needs as our role in society continues to flourish,”Roe said.
“After the recognition of our workforce as key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical that we protect and enhance our talent pool to keep our sector developing and thriving to support all sectors of the economy; Generation Logistics will give us the opportunity to do just that, by attracting and retaining the very best talent from across the country.”
The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, said: “I am proud to confirm government support for the Generation Logistics campaign. The pandemic has once again demonstrated the strategic importance of supply-chains and their associated workers.
“Their work to keep the UK moving was exemplary and I have nothing but admiration for those unsung heroes who keep the UK trading, keep food on our shelves and provide our factories, shops, hospitals and schools with the supplies they need. Logistics workers make a substantial difference to our lives, every day.
“However, we have a new challenge facing us as we look to the future of freight. We need to attract a diverse and skilled workforce to play a key part in a new, exciting era transforming an industry at the forefront of innovation and technology. There are thousands of logistics roles available to people from all backgrounds, experience and skills.
“This campaign will showcase those opportunities in artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles and the decarbonisation of the supply chain. This industry campaign is integral to not only supporting growth of this vital sector but also ensuring we have the workforce needed for now and the future.”
Sharon Kindleysides, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport said: “Generation Logistics brings together operational logistics organisations, government, CILT (UK), Logistics UK and sector trade bodies to create and support a campaign that will raise the positive profile of the sector and inform and attract the resources and talent that we need to meet the future demands that will be placed on us.
“The sector has been recognised as critical infrastructure over recent years and Generation Logistics will highlight the huge range of roles and career development opportunities that are available at all levels and across all modes and activities”.
In addition to a website, containing careers advice and guidance, features, video content, jobs and news, the campaign will focus on key demographic areas, all of which could be inclined towards taking up a role in logistics. It is critical that as many people are made aware of the opportunities available to them as possible, Roe said.
“Before the pandemic, logistics was a largely hidden industry, yet acted as a vital cog in the wheel of our interconnected economy. It is vital that our sector now takes advantage of its new-found awareness to highlight the complexity and technological developments involved in moving goods to their destinations, to encourage new recruits into our industry and protect our supply chain.
“We often say logistics is the country’s ‘hidden secret’ – Generation Logistics is the campaign which will challenge that perception and bring the sector to the forefront of people’s minds, as a forward thinking, fast paced modern industry with much to offer today’s employees, as well as the workforce of tomorrow,” Roe said.
