As part of a drive to identify areas of the economy where skills gaps may exist, a Colchester based awarding organisation, Gateway Qualifications, has carried out an assessment on the Procurement and Logistics markets
The organisation took soundings from both the Further Education sector and from private providers over a period of several months during 2015, the year in which Prime Minister David Cameron expressed concern over procurement issues in the public sector such as the West Coast Mainline Rail contract and the Carrier Strike Aircraft project and David Wells, Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association, commented that “the logistics sector is having real problems attracting new recruits.”
Janet Ravensdale, a senior Curriculum Manager and qualified assessor, worked with Gateway Qualifications on the project, noting that a UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) report published in October 2014 had reported on the need for a more qualified workforce. Among its findings was the following statement; “Logistics is a key part of the UK economy, contributing over £90billion and employing 2.2 million people, some 8% of the workforce.”
In July 2015 the Association for Consultancy and Engineering also published a report which talked of a ‘skills mismatch’ in the sector, it highlighted the fact that there exists a wide variation in procurement methods depending on the project. It concluded that “the same skills are not required to deliver each of these approaches.”
The UKCES report went further, urging employers to recognise that “As technology advances, the skills required are changing to meet them. Advanced automation, software systems and high tech advances in warehousing and tracking systems means IT skills are now essential. There are also roles that require high-level expertise in applied mathematics and statistics for analyzing data and to collate and interpret technical reports.”
Efforts are, however, being made to close the skills gap and give logistics and procurement the recognition they warrant. Gateway Qualifications is among the organisations extending and expanding its range of awards in these subjects to improve and increase the supply of qualified young staff, working with FE colleges such as South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Basingstoke College of Technology and South East Essex College. New qualifications are on their way, for example a Level 3 qualification for 16-19 year olds which will provide a platform for younger learners to progress to university and another for the 19+ age group, supporting access to higher education for those who do not have an academic background and might struggle to move straight onto a degree course.
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are also doing good work with areas such as New Anglia, South East Midlands and Thames Gateway Kent promoting apprenticeships and qualifications in Logistics, Transport and Storage. South East Midlands alone aims to have an additional 94,000 apprentices by 2020 with Logistics identified as a key sector.
