LOGISTICS TRAINING
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE WORKING IN THE UK LOGISTICS INDUSTRY?
Types of jobs in logistics?
There are 3 categories for UK Logistics, all of which offer differing roles, challenges and aspirations.
WAREHOUSING
There are six areas of work that traditionally occur at a warehouse facility, though how many of these appear and on what regularity will depend on the business.
The six warehousing actions include:
Receiving new stock.
Putting away and cataloging new inventory.
Storage management.
Picking stock ready for processing after customer purchase.
Packing and cataloguing all orders.
Shipping to customers.​
Warehousing is an integral piece of the broader supply chain for physical products.​
Warehouses do not only serve as intermediary storage facilities — they also provide the ability for supply chain managers to reduce costs by optimising inventory purchases, saving shipping costs and speeding up delivery times.​
Warehousing even permits things like repackaging products for marketing purposes or to optimise the package for last mile delivery. These are important steps in ensuring products get through the supply chain to the end customer, ensuring they have the best possible experience with the company.
HGV LORRY DRIVING
Lorry drivers, pick up/drop of and transport goods by road for national and international hauliers, freight forwarders, express couriers and transport companies.​
A person in this industry can be driving all types of lorries and other heavy goods vehicles e.g. curtain-sided semi-trailers, LHVs, tankers, articulated trucks etc.
They are required to have a special drivers licence for this purpose.​
The work assignments carried out by Lorry Drivers can vary in distance, from short to very long. It's not uncommon for a driver to cover many miles to complete a job, crossing regions of countries in the process.
Routes and schedules are planned to ensure the goods are delivered on time.
Planning considers a range of variables, including traffic intensity and congestion, accidents, breakdowns, as well as the maximum allowed consecutive number of driver hours.
While for international deliveries customs checks and borders need to be factored in, too. Despite this, truck drivers would typically know what time they will be leaving on an assignment, but not what time they will be getting back.
MANAGEMENT
Management logistics/distribution managers are responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring logistics operations. Such as warehousing, inventory, transportation, and supply chain, processes, reviewing budgets, processing shipments and building delivery routes.
Logistics managers, typically supervise a team of warehouse staff or other logistic specialists. Transport managers are responsible for directing, coordinating, planning and overseeing tasks and operations within an organisation involving transportation activities. Making sure vehicles are properly maintained, inspecting vehicles, arranging repairs and routine maintenance as well as ensuring that all drivers and operators have the correct, up-to-date qualifications. Reducing the risk of vehicle overloading, maintaining and completing accurate records, keeping schedules and all organising team members. They are also required to ensure the legal requirements for road haulage are met.
TRAINING & QUALIFICATION ROUTES
APPRENTICESHIPS:
Apprenticeships are a great way to move into a new career.
They are available to all age groups, across all qualification levels from an NVQ1 to NVQ7 (masters degree).
As they are so varied, they can take anywhere from 12-months to 5 years to complete depending on the qualification level.
They allow you to work and gain experience whilst studying.
If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships please speak to your FrontFoot Transition Partner or visit the National Apprenticeship Website.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING:
If you want a career in driving, the HGV license training takes only five days. However, the entire process, can take up to 8-10 weeks. Which includes a medical assessment and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). Visit the Road Haulage Association for more information. There are many more opportunities within the logistics sector, including; customer service and administration, freight forwarding, environmental sustainability, leadership and management with many vocational/NVQ courses available to support these careers.
DEGREE COURSES:
For those interested in moving into Logistics Management, Supply chain or Transport Management, there are a number of degree courses available for both part-time and full-time study.
Degree courses include Business, Logistics and Transport Management, BA Hons, Air Transport, Planning & Management MSc and Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc. Visit the Open University for information on flexible learning for the sector. Feel free to speak to your FrontFoot transition partner for more information.
CAREER PATHS & OPPORTUNITIES
