How about a career in logistics?

Transcription

1 How about a career in logistics? This publication has been supported by The Skills Show, The European Social Fund and the National Careers Service

2 Wondering what opportunities there are in the logistics sector? There s more to logistics than meets the eye. If you enjoyed seeing your favourite athletes compete at the Games, then get the inside track on sport. If shopping is your bag try some retail therapy. If you re itching to get behind the wheel then head this way or if it s celebs that rock your boat look no further. Logistics helps us to get things from A to B on time. It puts food on the supermarket shelves and gadgets in the shops. It sends parcels worldwide and helps you move house. It even made sure that the athletes and their equipment arrived at the stadium on time at the 2012 Games! From technical jobs and dealing with customers, to international jobs, working behind-the-scenes and jobs on the road there s something for everyone. Employment opportunities in transport and logistics are grouped into: Air transport Land transport Postal and courier activities Warehousing and support activities Water transport Image credit: Easton and Otley College Image credit: Cambridge Regional College

3 Frequently asked questions: What is logistics? The transport and logistics sector comprises of freight logistics and passenger transport. Logistics is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week and supports all sectors across the whole economy. Transport underpins all industries by helping employees get to work in the first place, but it also plays an invaluable part in the tourism sector. How much could I earn? The range of salaries within each occupation varies quite significantly but the following provide a guide. Postal Delivery Worker 15k - 20k Supply Chain Manager 18k - 60k Warehouse Manager 17k - 40k Airport Information Assistant 11k - 24k Air Traffic Controller 10k - 50k Train Manager 12k - 25k Transport Planner 22k - 60k What s it like working in the sector? The roles can be interesting and demanding. The sector often has long working hours with some roles requiring work outside of normal working hours including weekends, early mornings and evenings. Where could I work? Many people in transport and logistics work in offices but you might also work in sea ports, airports, distribution warehouses and other buildings for companies such as Royal Mail, Pickfords, Eddie Stobart, DHL. How can I get into logistics? With qualifications including Maths and English, you should be able to get onto an Apprenticeship programme with a local company. This is a really practical way of getting a job in areas such as warehousing, international trade and distribution. A-levels or a higher apprenticeship could help you move straight into junior management roles, maybe in transport or warehousing. Joining the logistics industry as a graduate is a great way to fast track your career. Employers are keen to recruit graduates from logistics industry-related courses including Foundation Degrees, HNDs and HNCs as well as individuals with other degrees like Business Studies or Languages.

4 Myths and Stereotypes Myth: Logistics has no opportunities for those with a college degree or higher education Reality: There is a myriad of positions offered by the sector. While the skills needed to secure employment in the sector are position specific; typically, a person interested in the logistics sector will need excellent interpersonal skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. A college education, a degree or even a master s degree will be required for managerial and supervisory positions, while technical jobs in the sector will require relevant vocational certification. Myth: If you go into logistics you can t move easily into another sector. Reality: Logistics careers span across a wide spectrum of industries. While airlines, postal departments, the defence sector, railways, transportation and manufacturing companies are the largest hirers, other industries such as computers, shipping, freight, consumer durables etc also employ a sizeable number of logistics professionals. So logistics can help you move across all sorts of sectors letting your career take a new journey. Myth: Logistics is all about driving trucks and forklifts. Reality: Logistics is so much more than that. There are a huge range of jobs available. If you re not interested in driving there are a large range of other jobs available to you. Myth: logistics is for men Reality: 76% of employees in the logistics sector are men. Why not redress the balance as there is no reason why more women shouldn t be entering one of the UKs most dynamic sectors.

5 The world of logistics is huge Big sporting events need people working as distribution managers, supply chain managers and road transport managers, using sophisticated technology to plan the movement of vehicles and goods. Get closer to the action as a courier or driver, or stay behind the scenes in storage and warehousing. All stores need buyers or purchasing managers to determine stock, distribution managers to ensure each store has what it needs and a supply chain manager. Get involved and ensure that shops stock what is needed. If you enjoy driving you could be responsible for transferring stock as an LGV or van driver. How about being a courier or helping people move home? Goods aren t the only thing that needs moving. Getting things and people from A to B is important for stars from the world of sport, music and TV too. Who knows, you could get involved and find a star-studded logistics career path to suit you. What could you do? Air Freight Aviation Analyst Clerks / Agents Courier Customs Brokerage Dispatch Distribution Drivers ( HGV, HIAB, LGV) Fleet Management Freight Forwarder Inventory Management Loss Prevention Machinery Operator Ocean Freight / Marine Procurement / Buyers Production Planning Rail Freight Safety Transport Management Warehousing Postal delivery worker Rolling stock engineer Crane operator Port operative Forklift driver Order picker Packing operative/manager Stock controller Warehouse manager Warehouse operative Driving courier, large goods vehicle driver, road transport manager, van driver Postal services postal delivery worker Rail freight traction and rolling stock engineer Removals branch manager, move co-ordinator, removals operative Sea freight crane operator, port operative Warehousing forklift driver, order picker, packing operative/manager, stock controller, warehouse manager, warehouse operative

6 Further sources of information Visit the Skills for Logistics website for detailed information on all of the job roles featured here and information on how to get on your chosen career pathway. National Careers Service provide impartial careers advice so if you re looking for the right course, help with your CV or need to know where to go next contact NCS on or at Think an apprenticeship might be the route for you? Contact the National Apprenticeship Service and see all the latest vacancies live in your area. Wayz2 contains information about hundreds of career choices, links to courses and up to date news about opportunities for apprenticeships, jobs and much more. Record information about yourself in a simple eportfolio then use it to create multiple CVs to help you get a job. The Skills Show Experience forms part of the European Social Fund Technical Assistance project, awarded to the Skills Funding Agency to promote the European Social Fund. In addition, the programme is co-funded by the Skills Funding Agency to deliver the National Careers Service at the events. Working in partnership with The Skills Show premier sponsors City & Guilds, the Edge Foundation and Premier Colleges, The Skills Show Experience provides young people with opportunities to discover what they are good at and what they enjoy, through interactive activities and experiences helping shape their futures and transform their lives. ACER is grateful to all the colleges that have supplied images for inclusion in these printed materials.