One of the UK's biggest business groups, the Freight Transport Association (FTA), has launched a brand-new event to examine and advise on the ongoing shortage of skilled workers available to the logistics industry.
To be held at the City of London Chamber of Commerce on 25 September 2018, the one-day conference will address the root causes of the skills shortage, including Brexit, challenges with the Apprenticeship Levy and poor industry image, before providing discussion and practical advice for businesses on how to overcome these barriers to recruitment. Combining interactive workshops, inspirational plenary sessions, and case studies brimming with practical takeaways, this event is essential for anyone involved in the recruitment of logistics workers.
"The logistics industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy, employing more than 2.5 million people and contributing £121 billion to the nation's GVA (gross value added). Yet it's facing a ticking time bomb: the ever-increasing shortage of skilled workers," commented
Sally Gilson
, Head of Skills Campaigns, FTA. "Many of FTA's members come to us with the same challenge: the inability to fill transport and warehousing vacancies. That's why FTA has launched this new event, Leading Logistics: Overcoming the Skills Shortage, to share advice and tips on how to implement effective recruitment and retention strategies. By sharing experiences and discussing opportunities with key leaders in the industry, attendees will leave the conference with a greater understanding on how to grow staff loyalty, fill vacancies, build a long-term career path for staff, utilise new technologies, and maximise the government's Apprenticeship Levy."
Sally Gilson continues: "The current skills shortage is compounded by many issues, including uncertainties around Brexit and the flaws inherent in the government's approach towards apprenticeship and skills promotion. With the average age of a lorry driver now 48 years old, FTA believes the industry needs to adapt to attract and retain a new generation of workers."
[tpr-banner company='52']
In addition to representatives from Amey, Bidvest and Howard Tenens, speakers will include:
Clare Hatton, Head of Skills Delivery, West Midlands Combined Authority
Ian Nichol, Head of logistics, Career Ready
Neil Robertson, CEO, National Skills Academy for Rail
Shane Mann, Managing Director, LSect
The conference forms part of FTA's Leading Logistics programme, a series of five events in Autumn 2018 designed to help organisations best prepare for the future. For more information, please visit
book your place
The price to attend for FTA members is £295 + VAT for the first delegate and £265 + VAT for subsequent delegates. The price for non-members is £395 + VAT for the first delegate and £365 + VAT for subsequent delegates.
Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.