THE LOGISTICS OF GETTING INTO LOGISTICS

As with any career, the hardest step can be the first one.

On this page we’ll break down some of the most common ways that you can begin your career in logistics (and links to employees that offer them).

APPRENTICESHIPS & DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are open to all ages and combine practical work-based learning with study. Alongside this on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing a classroom-based curriculum with a college or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

Summer internships, so called because they usually take place over the summer holiday months, are a fixed period of work experience. This period can vary from a week to several months and is typically offered to school, college or university students to gain relevant experience.

PLACEMENT YEARS

A placement year is integral to some degree courses and allow students to apply their university knowledge in the workplace. Choosing a degree with a placement year is encouraged, as applied, logistics-sector experience enables graduates to step in and step up at pace.

GRADUATE ROLES

Graduates in supply chain, engineering, project management, business and more are welcomed into the logistics sector. Graduate schemes are structured programmes, usually of up to two years in length, that support graduates in understanding the business and in becoming the leaders of the future.

VIEW EMPLOYERS THAT OFFER ENTRY SCHEMES.

MAKING INROADS

There are a number of initiatives within the logistics sector to support career entrants accessing funding, education and more.

Here are a few of them:

NOVUS

NOVUS works with undergraduate students across 10 universities to provide applied, industry-relevant education. Students are provided with guest lectures, mentoring and summer and third year placements, in addition to guaranteed graduate employment.

ROAD TO LOGISTICS

Road to Logistics is a Community Interest Company, established with government funding, to tackle the driver shortage. We raise awareness of driver roles relevant to a more diverse range of people and partner with various organisations who can most effectively reach new demographics. The mainstay of what the organisation does is encouraging and assisting car license holders to get their LGV licenses, with an emphasis on supporting more vulnerable and further away from the labour market individuals.

PROLOGIS & GOODWILL SOLUTIONS: PWLTP

No matter your age, background or education, PWLTP courses help you take your first steps to employment. The free Level 2 Award in Principles of Warehousing provides a solid foundation for entering the logistics profession. After taking part in PWLTP, you receive a recognised industry qualification, a brand-new set of life skills and an understanding of how logistics businesses operate. Above all, you’ll be in a great position to secure a new job in logistics!

MANPOWER & BIFA: FREIGHT DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

The Freight Development Pathway supports individuals into a career in freight. You will get access to training to build the skills you need to become fully work-ready and achieve the right experience and certification to accelerate your career. The training is free to access and comprises of industry-compiled training alongside employability coaching. The time commitment is three weeks of 10-12 hours per week, plus one day of virtual training with BIFA (British International Freight Association).

NOVUS

NOVUS works with undergraduate students across 10 universities to provide applied, industry-relevant education. Students are provided with guest lectures, mentoring and summer and third year placements, in addition to guaranteed graduate employment.

ROAD TO LOGISTICS

Road to Logistics is a Community Interest Company, established with government funding, to tackle the driver shortage. We raise awareness of driver roles relevant to a more diverse range of people and partner with various organisations who can most effectively reach new demographics. The mainstay of what the organisation does is encouraging and assisting car license holders to get their LGV licenses, with an emphasis on supporting more vulnerable and further away from the labour market individuals.

Prologis and Goodwill Solutions: PWLTP

No matter your age, background or education, PWLTP courses help you take your first steps to employment. The free Level 2 Award in Principles of Warehousing provides a solid foundation for entering the logistics profession. After taking part in PWLTP, you receive a recognised industry qualification, a brand-new set of life skills and an understanding of how logistics businesses operate. Above all, you’ll be in a great position to secure a new job in logistics!

Manpower and BIFA: Freight Development Pathway

The Freight Development Pathway supports individuals into a career in freight. You will get access to training to build the skills you need to become fully work-ready and achieve the right experience and certification to accelerate your career. The training is free to access and comprises of industry-compiled training alongside employability coaching. The time commitment is three weeks of 10-12 hours per week, plus one day of virtual training with BIFA (British International Freight Association).

Stories

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Environmental Manager UK & Ireland

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Lottie Leigh-Browne – GXO

Role: Environmental Manager UK & Ireland

After completing a degree in Environmental Geography, followed by a Masters in Climate Change Science and Policy, Lottie tried roles in consultancy and app development before landing a job which focused on driving corporate sustainability.

With family members who work in logistics and a good grounding from her studies, she recognised that the fast-paced, multi-tasking environment the sector offered could be a good fit for her. Responsible for developing and driving GXO’s Sustainability Strategy across the UK and Ireland, working in logistics has proved to be much more complex than Lottie imagined:

“I hadn’t set foot in a warehouse. The complexities of the logistics industry fascinate me. To be at the forefront of the conversations around alternative fuels, renewable energy and sustainable initiatives is very exciting.”

While on the job, Lottie has received her associate membership for IEMA Environmental Management, and is working towards achieving her Practitioners’ membership, both fully supported and sponsored by management. She has also completed her IOSH Managing Safely Course.
Opportunities to continue her personal development is something she considers crucial from an employer, and when considering the best aspects of her role, Lottie emphasises her ability to drive change.

“Having exposure to senior leadership teams to make a difference feels great. I love communicating all the exciting work we’re doing to customers and hearing first-hand where they are in their journey to becoming net zero.”

When asked what she’d say to someone considering a career in logistics, Lottie emphasises the opportunity to grow:

“There are so many areas across the logistics industry that specific attributes can be applied to. Don’t worry if you enter a role that isn’t your ‘dream job’. Learning key skills and attributes that can be applied to other roles is often the most important thing. Embrace the challenges and engage with as many projects and people as possible.”

Customs Implementation Manager

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Elizabeth Weldon – Kuehne+Nagel

Role: Customs Implementation Manager

Elizabeth started at Kuehne+Nagel straight out of University, taking up a Graduate Internship on the recommendation of a family member:

“I was always quite analytical and organised, with a keen interest in politics – which might not sound like something you associate with logistics, but actually proved incredibly useful for customs in navigating changes to the market brought about by Brexit.”

Elizabeth worked through a number of different roles at the company before settling into her current role as a Customs Implementations Manager.

“I’ve loved working for the business ever since I started. My current role involves implementing new customs brokerage contracts, liaising with customers, data gathering and ensuring smooth handovers into our operational teams.” 

“I started my maternity leave at the end of March 2022 and was out of the business for a total of 9 months. I was initially nervous at taking so much time out. However, my management team have been incredibly supportive to ensure my smooth transition back into the business. It is definitely a struggle to find a new balance between working full time and caring for a little one at home, however I am really happy and proud to be reclaiming my working identity.”

Her career highlight was a successful Brexit Implementation Project, which helped the whole Keuhne+Nagel EU-UK adjust to a post-Brexit working model.