Vital task of keeping Britain on the move

CAN you lead? Well, if you can, the logistics industry wants you. Logistics — planning and managing the flow of goods — needs 900,000 extra staff by 2020 to fill challenging and rewarding jobs.

Kevin Richardson, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK, says: ‘Skills and staff shortages are issues, so we want to get it out there about the range of opportunities available.’

James Fairhurst, 23, a graduate trainee with logistics company Wincanton, says: ‘I had not realised the careers logistics offered, until I found the logistics and transport management degree course at Huddersfield University.

‘ It includes placements with top companies and combines a degree with a vocational qualification.’

James now works with one of Wincanton’s clients in Leek, Staffordshire. ‘It’s quite high pressure, but I hope to get involved in the contract bid process. There Challenge: Trainee James Fairhurst are also jobs in HR, IT and accounts.’

Claire Alexander, Wincanton’s talent and development director, says: ‘Graduate trainees should have some commercial experience and leadership capability.

‘We recruit across the UK for people who can do warehouse apprenticeships and driving qualifications with us, and we are close to approval for a graduate apprenticeship aimed at those with A-levels.’

Wincanton is part of the Novus Trust, which sponsors the logistics and supply chain management courses at Huddersfield and soon Aston universities. A job is guaranteed on graduation.

SEE careers. wincanton.co.uk; cilt.org.uk and novus.uk.com.