Attracting young people into the freight industry is one of the key aims of the Partnership Agreement
The FTA and DWP set out plans for improving recruitment and skill levels in logistics
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has set out specific objectives, measures and pledges to improve recruitment and skill levels in the logistics industry in its Partnership Agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
FTA’s Managing Director of Membership and Policy, James Hookham met with Employment Minister, Esther McVey to discuss ‘specific issues with the aim of obtaining specific outcomes’ for the freight and logistics industry. One of the key areas highlighted was the urgent issue of driver shortage.
The FTA and DWP Partnership Agreement outlines a five point plan to improve the awareness of opportunities in the logistics sector by JobCentre advisors and to help FTA members understand the help and support, including grants, available from the Government.
The Agreement commits FTA and the DWP to:
- Work together to raise the profile of the logistics sector with jobseekers, through local and national initiatives
- Develop work experience and employment and skills programmes to make it easier for job seekers to gain employment in the logistics sector
- Share labour market intelligence that will help guide both DWP and industry on vacancy and skills gaps
- Inform and support DWPs JobCentre advisors’ understanding of the breadth of opportunities and career prospects in the logistics sector
- Promote the professionalising of the industry through new logistics qualifications
Included within the aims of the Partnership Agreement is to attract young people into the industry and improve the image and understanding of logistics – highlighting skills shortages such as HGV drivers, provide details of routes to funding for skills for FTA members, provide the logistics industry with fit for purpose qualifications, and gain government funding for businesses for training.
Commneting on the agreement, Mr Hookham said: “FTA is delighted to sign this Partnership Agreement with the Minister for Employment. Our members have outlined the urgent need to address the issue of skills shortages – particularly the lack of qualified drivers. This Agreement outlines clear objectives, particularly regarding the improvement of recruitment and skill levels in the logistics industry and commits FTA and DWP specific outcomes to resolve specific issues to resolve this as soon as possible.”
During the meeting the FTA pressed the Minister on support for the extension of student loans for the funding of vocational training, starting with the urgent need for licence acquisition for aspiring HGV drivers.
The logistics industry is currently experiencing a skills shortage with concerns over the lack of younger people entering the sector, especially HGV drivers. The industry is vital to the UK economy as every other sector is reliant upon the smooth running of the supply chain – with consumer demand increasing and technological change on the horizon, the logistics industry requires an adaptable workforce equipped with the correct skills.
The news comes on the back of a recent FleetPoint article focusing on worries that the freight industry may struggle to cope with demand in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This agreement is a step in the right direction but could prove too little too late for this years delivery schedule.
