So, what's it all about?
Logistics is the process of making sure the right things reach the right place at the right time in the right quantities – all at a reasonable cost. Logistic activities include many things, from transporting raw materials abroad to storing goods in a warehouse. The ultimate goal is to move a product from supplier to customer – this path is called the supply chain and its links are made up of individual organisations, people, technology, information and resources that keep things moving along. While the links of a supply chain are made up of different companies, all must work together and understand how their actions impact the whole chain, because any slip-up or breakdown along the way will affect everything coming after it.
As you can imagine, logistics is a challenging and broad field. It deals with a range of functions, like inventory management, warehousing, distribution, transport, and customer service. And there’s a lot of driving involved: that might mean transporting goods across Europe in a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV), being a courier making urgent or local deliveries, or operating the most important vehicle in a warehouse – the forklift truck. There’s a shortage of LGV drivers at the moment, and the industry is particularly keen to recruit women and people from ethnic minorities. All that driving also means a big demand for fitters and mechanics.
Physically moving products along the chain is only one side of logistics; there also need to be people in the offices who oversee the whole operation and make sure that drivers are ready for their lorries, handle schedules, ensure things arrive when they’re supposed to, note any special requests, address any problems, and provide customer service. It’s a challenging job that takes strong organisational skills and the ability to think on your feet. IT skills are also a must, as most systems are computerised in order to provide real-time information.
The UK logistics sector is worth £74.45 billion to the economy and currently employs about 2.3 million people in some 196,000 companies – with a need for half a million more workers in the next 10 years. Logistics is a 24/7 operation, so can involve long hours and unsociable shifts – but many people enjoy the flexibility it gives them. It’s a vital sector and your skills should land you a secure job.
What qualities do I need?
- be able to drive
- have good organisational skills
- be physically fit
- follow instructions well
- work as part of a team and on your own
- have good numeracy skills
- be a good time-keeper
- solve problems that occur
- understand health and safety issues
These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.
Carry and deliver goods
Contact Skills for Logistics www.skillsforlogistics.co.uk
Driving goods vehicles
Contact Skills for Logistics www.skillsforlogistics.co.uk
Mail services
Contact Skills for Logistics www.skillsforlogistics.co.uk
Traffic office
Contact Skills for Logistics www.skillsforlogistics.co.uk
Click here for a list of employers offering Apprenticeships in this sector.
Sector Skills Council
Skills for Logistics
Skills for Logistics is the expert on Apprenticeships in this section. For more information, visit their website at www.skillsforlogistics.org.
Major employers
DHL
www.dhl.co.uk
DHL are couriers who transport goods all over the world.
Kuehne + Nagel
www.kn-portal.com
A global logistics company.
Maxim
www.maximlogistics.com
A logistics company with haulage, warehousing and freight operations.
Royal Mail
www.royalmail.com
Without these good people, you’d never receive a letter.
Unipart Logistics
www.unipartlogistics.co.uk
One of Europe’s leading independent logistics providers.
Wincanton
www.wincanton.co.uk
‘Advanced supply chain solutions’ – in other words, Wincanton are experts at getting goods from one place to another.
Further reading
Careers in Logistics
www.careersinlogistics.co.uk
The Chartered Institute
for Logistics and Transport
www.ciltuk.org.uk
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
www.dvla.gov.uk
Road Haulage Association
www.rha.net