Is the logistics industry heading for a skills shortage?

In his last official duty  as chairman of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Derrick Potter has called on companies operating in the logistics industry to increase their investment in training if the sector is to avoid a skills shortage in the future.

Speaking at the UKWA’s AGM, held recently at London’s Dorchester Hotel, Derrick Potter commented: “I believe most employers understand the importance of developing the skills of their workforce but, generally, supply chain companies have been slow to invest and, as a result, the Sector Skills Council for our industry – Skills for Logistics – faces a funding challenge.  With an ageing workforce and a perception among those currently in education that logistics does not offer an attractive career path, the sector may well find itself facing a skills shortage in the near future. It is therefore vitally important that we begin to attract young people and bring a greater diversity of skills into the sector.”

He continued: “One of UKWA’s key objectives over the coming years will be to encourage members to engage with Skills for Logistics to develop logistics related apprenticeship schemes that will attract government funding.”

After four years, Derrick Potter’s reign as chairman of UKWA ended at the Association’s AGM. Derrick is succeeded by John Maguire, Sales and Marketing Director of Flexi Narrow Aisle Ltd.

Photo: (left to right) John Maguire, the new UKWA chairman, and Derrek Potter outgoing chairman of UKWA warns of future skills shortage.