By becoming a sponsor of the “Think Logistics” initiative, the U.K.-based Freight Transport Association (FTA) is hoping to encourage young people to consider careers in the logistics industry. The FTA has highlighted the issue of skills shortages in logistics before – especially in the field of professional truck drivers, which is suffering a shortfall of 60,000 qualified drivers.
FTA is working on a range of ways of attracting more young British people into the industry, and its sponsorship of Think Logistics will deliver projects aimed at students 16 to 19 years of age. The organization’s sponsorship of Think Logistics will run for an initial period of three years and will encourage its members to participate in workshops in local schools and colleges.
Additionally, FTA will also work with national charity Career Ready, to develop training programs and courses for the Think Logistics centers, which are being set up at colleges and schools across the country
FTA is the second major sponsor to announce support for the Think Logistics initiative this year, joining DAF Trucks and the original funders of the program, The Edge Foundation. FTA members operate more than 220,000 vehicles – half of the U.K.’s fleet – consign over 90 percent of the country’s freight moved by rail and 70 percent of sea and air freight.