Television company Bigtank Productions filmed a workshop and presentation at Blackpool Sixth college last month, where 16 to 19-year-olds were given the inside story on possible careers within transport and logistics.
Samantha Brown, the college’s curriculum leader for business and IT, described the workshop as “a truly eye-opening experience” for students.
She adds: “We were all surprised at just how many careers exist in the CV and wider logistics industry. There really does seem to be something for everyone and our young people were left invigorated at the prospect of the logistics sector offering real, long-term career opportunities.”
Think Logistics was set up by Abbey Logistics’ Steve Granite, and is backed by several operators, as well as by the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association. It is delivered by national education charity Career Ready UK, with DAF Trucks the primary sponsor.
Career Ready UK has opened five new Think Logistics centres in the North East, Humberside, East Midlands, South West and Greater Manchester, and more than 400 young people have attended Think Logistics workshops.
Think Logistics has plans to open 50 Career Ready logistics centres by September 2018. It also offers real-world experience through ‘mentoring’ programmes from leading operators involved in the project, including Eddie Stobart, Bibby Distribution, Matthew Kibble Transport, Brian Yeardley Continental and Caterpillar.
Ray Ashworth, managing director of DAF Trucks, says the initiative is delivering “real progress”.
He adds: “I said at last year’s CV Show how impressed I am with Think Logistics and how it has been engaging directly with young people... It is only through ambitious programmes like this that the industry can raise its profile.”