How to attract top logistics talent in 2022

An acute talent shortage in the UK logistics sector has left many businesses struggling to fill vacancies at all levels within their hierarchy, from delivery drivers through to top-level management and leadership roles.

To explore this issue in depth, PageGroup recently hosted an exclusive webinar on the topic with a panel of industry experts consisting of myself and:

·????????Richard Berry, Chief Human Resources Officer at Culina Logistics Group

·????????Jim French MBE, Managing Director at Road to Logistics

The panel discussed the major events of recent years and how they have impacted the availability of talent in the sector. We covered both Brexit and Covid-19, alongside longer-term trends like the acceleration of ecommerce and home delivery, and the implications this all has for warehouse fulfilment and other logistics industry commitments.

The state of logistics supply and demand

Like many areas of the UK economy, the logistics sector has undergone rapid transformation over the last couple of years, thanks to the combined impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. From 19% of retail sales in 2019, online channels grew to account for over 30% during the first half of 2021 .

At the same time, the availability of skilled individuals has fallen dramatically. Since late 2019, ONS figures show that 1.3 million non-UK workers have left the country. From the first half of 2020 to the second half of 2021, the number of qualified and active HGV drivers in the UK has also dropped significantly. Yet we are still not training enough individuals for careers in logistics.

Just 17 universities in the UK offer degree programmes with a specific logistics and supply chain focus, compared with 119 that offer law degrees, according to figures from the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA).

How to hire top talent in supply chains

There are several avenues to attract top talent into supply chain roles. Road to Logistics - a joint initiative of Microlise and the Road Haulage Association - sources candidates from diverse and inclusive backgrounds, including neurodiverse individuals, underrepresented genders and ethnicities, former offenders, ex-MOD personnel, and the long-term unemployed.

Over a 5-6 week employment programme, these individuals are provided with real-world training to prepare them for a future career in logistics. The courses are employer-led and can benefit from funding from the DWP, Department for Education, HMPPS and other organisations.

While there is still a significant skills shortage in the UK logistics and procurement sector, these kinds of initiatives are helping employers to train the next generation of talented individuals to ensure the future of the industry.

Highlights from the Q&A?

After presentations, the live webinar audience had the opportunity to ask questions - here are some of the key highlights:

How many people are on a single Road to Logistics training scheme?

Jim: “We normally work with around ten. This seems to work both for the classroom training, and as a number that the employer can work with. Because the industry is so fragmented, we are looking at running programmes where 1-2 individuals go to different organisations.”

What channels can businesses in the industry use to promote their brands more effectively?

Richard: “We use a real mix of the old and the new. Traditionally we would have used livery, open days, careers fairs, transport forums and community events. We have diversified into more extensive use of job boards, online marketing, and advertising, as well as social media. A really excellent social media presence and portfolio is, for us, a real differentiating factor.”

Have you seen many candidates transfer in from other sectors?

Jim: “The majority of people in the sector did not set out to work in logistics. A lot of people at university don’t know what logistics is. Many either fall into logistics or come into it via a functional role, such as HR or engineering. It’s a sector where you are often empowered by working with other people in a role where you can measure your impact. A number of the major logistics operators have management development programmes and take on graduates. In the UK, we employ 2.5 million people in the logistics sector, yet there are only 17 universities offering degree programmes to about 200-300 graduates each year, so the graduate intake that the sector needs is much greater than just those who are studying logistics.”

Ben: “We see a lot of candidates transferring into logistics from the retail sector. If you think of the number of bricks-and-mortar retailers that have closed in recent years, that is one channel. In terms of operational management and skills, manufacturing professionals understand process, people management and leadership. Other data-driven sectors are also a source of individuals with the necessary IT skills.”

Register today to access the full on-demand webinar , including the presentations and the Q&A.

As Senior Operating Director for Michael Page Logistics, the team and I work with fantastic talent across the country that can come into your business and really hit the ground. If you’ve currently got a live job role, please?reach out?today to discuss .