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Generation Logistics progress celebrated
The first cohort completes Freight Development Pathway After months of preparation, the first cohort of eight individuals completed the BIFA/Manpower partnership Freight Development Pathway (FDP) during January. “It is nice to see some actual delegates join the programme, after a lot of hard work by many people” said Carl Hobbis, BIFA’s executive director responsible for training. “I know Manpower is working hard to spread the word about the FDP programme and careers in logistics to potential candidates, including its 35,000 temporary staff.” Mat Beecham, operations manager – Freight Development Pathway, Manpower added: “We are thrilled with the initial response from those that have attended the launch calls. The BIFA Members I have spoken to so far see it as a hugely positive initiative to help address the skills shortage within the sector. Several BIFA Members have already agreed to use FDP as a route to recruit for their trainee roles.” Beecham emphasised: “The high expectations we have of delegates and the structured nature to the upskilling (i.e. delegates cannot progress onto Week 2, until they complete Week 1) is going to prove successful – certainly it is something that Members are saying they like. “We also have the option to dedicate a cohort of delegates to a specific vacancy, something that is proving popular already, and as a result we can involve the hirer in the process. We are already looking at putting together an FDP biased towards entry level sales
BIFA joined forces with all industry trade associations at a parliamentary reception in early February celebrating the progress so far of the careers and awareness campaign Generation Logistics.
The event brought together current industry leaders and
Generation Logistics Ambassadors, and was hosted and sponsored by Caroline Ansell MP. Phil Roe, Logistics UK President, opened the evening and launched the campaign’s new Careers Booklet that will soon go out to teachers and careers advisors in strategic locales. This was also an opportunity to distribute the Generation Logistics Year 2 Sponsor Prospectus, which reflects
recruit the staff needed across the industry. Talking to potential recruits in the language they understand, using social media, digital marketing, radio and podcasts to raise awareness, and encourage them to investigate careers opportunities. BIFA is proud to be supporting Generation Logistics with other trade associations as partners: AICES, British Association of Removers, British Ports Association, Chemical Business Association, CILT, Cold Chain Federation, HAD, Logistics UK, Logistics Skills Network, Maritime UK, Rail Freight Group, RHA, Road to Logistics, TIACA and UKWA.
bring the industry together and encourage the next generation of logistics workers to engage with the opportunities available and keep the nation’s supply chain protected. A comprehensive web portal has been launched containing careers advice and guidance, features, video content, jobs and news with the campaign focusing on several key demographic areas. Generation Logistics is a huge opportunity to shift perceptions and
how the parties are ultimately working together to create a
‘movement’ amongst young people. Past and current director generals Robert Keen and Steve Parker, along with Carl Hobbis, executive director, represented BIFA at an evening of networking with the people being recognised for keeping the UK’s economy connected. Generation Logistics aims to
Sign up to support National Careers Week
“What do you want to do when you leave school?” – the question every teenager dreads! Are you planning to support National Careers Week (NCW) – the week-long celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK? Yes, great. If not, it is not too late to do something, and it is easier than you might think. Just go to www.nationalcareersweek.com for ideas. By supporting National Careers Week, which takes place from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, you can inspire the future workforce.
Do not under-estimate the impact that a small amount of time will have on a young person and at the same time
promote careers in logistics and your business locally.
We have produced a useful guide to support and give practical ideas.
roles due to enquiries from Members,” he concluded.
Schools and colleges need more engagement with employers and your local school will have a range of events going on that you can join in with. Go along to the Careers Fair, offer to carry out mock interviews, invite interested students to visit your workplace to see the job first-hand.
It is free to download at https://apprentices.bifa.org/employ ers/schools-engagement/ Let us know what you have been up to or are planning, and we will share it across our various media channels. Please send information to Nezda Leigh at n.leigh@bifa.org
Introduction to the FDP will be a regular feature in the BIFA events calendar – www.bifa.org/events – or for an initial conversation contact Mat Beecham at mat.beecham@manpower.co.uk.
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March 2023
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