A post by Logistics UK on 14th August highlights the importance of the contribution that the transport and logistics sector can offer to UK economic growth. It makes some very important points about the range of transferable skills and capabilities that Relay believes could be applicable to many aspects of business and trade.
The article in this leading industry publication was prompted by the short-sighted decision of Skills England to omit logistics skills from its list of priority skills needed between now and 2030. The article quotes Michelle Gardner, Logistics UK’s Deputy Head of Policy:
“Skilled logistics careers underpin the growth-driving sectors identified in the government’s Industrial Strategy and Skills England’s assessment,” she says. “For Skills England to overlook the role of logistics skills and occupations in the economy is highly disappointing.”’
This is indeed extraordinary as transport and logistics is integral to the operation of UK businesses trading both nationally and globally. She continues:
“The government’s industrial strategy recognises that logistics makes a vital contribution to the UK economy and the competitiveness of its growth-driving sectors but, despite this, Skills England have failed to take our sector into account. We warned the government that not recognising logistics as “foundational” formally created a real danger of its value being overlooked in further policy, and this has now happened with skills assessment, which will seriously hamper the UK’s growth mission.”
Why has Skills England overlooked logistics?
In its Assessment of Priority Skills to 2030, Skills England says the researchers set out to find the skills needed within the already-determined 10 priority sectors – those critical to the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change.
With logistics omitted from this list, the logic went, the skills needed within the industry could not be worth prioritising. This myopic view assumes skills used within logistics are applicable only to that sector and are not transferrable in any way, which is of course ludicrous.
So much to offer
Global Trade recently posted an interesting article titled, Top Skills Needed for a Career in International Logistics.
The introduction says of the logistics sector, quite correctly, “Professionals in this field are integral to keeping the world connected.”
The logistics skills listed in the article included the following:
- Supply Chain Management
- Global Trade
- Regulations and Compliance
- Communications & Negotiation
- Technological Proficiency
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
These could represent successful components for a wide range of business strategies and government skills policies and should not ignore them.
It should also be mentioned that the logistics sector is hugely variable. For instance, Relay specialises in the collection and delivery of sophisticated electronic equipment, including for business, healthcare, and education. Our driving crews are skilful engineers and technicians, as well as having excellent communication skills for assisting end users in the operation of their new assets.
All of this shows that logistics is much more than just moving goods from A to B – Skills England, please take note!