Logistics apprenticeship created and Government cash released
May 1st 2011 Leading trade bodies and the professional institute in the logistics sector have joined with the sector skills council to welcome the launch of government-funded apprenticeships in logistics from 6 April 2011 and to urge employers to make best use of them as part of a continuous professional development programme.
The Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport have joined Skills for Logistics to urge employers in the logistics sectors to ‘claim their share’ of available funding and make best use of the nine apprenticeships on offer by building them into their skills development programmes.
For the first time Skills for Logistics has developed, with leading employers from the sector, a Logistics Operations Apprenticeship allowing the full range of key logistics activities to be experienced in a single apprenticeship. Government meets all the training cost for 16-19 year olds and half the training costs for those aged 19-24.
The government is making around £1.5 billion available to fund 250,000 apprenticeship places over the next four years but it will not come to the logistics sector as of right – it has to be called down (see contacts below).
Mick Jackson, chief executive of Skills for Logistics, said:
“Apprenticeships give a great way into a career in logistics. For the first time we can offer an apprentice experience across the logistics function – making them a much more rounded team member when they have completed it.
However, apprenticeships are not just for young people, they can give anybody’s career a boost. Every one of our apprenticeships clearly shows career progression along The Professional Development Stairway.”
Steve Agg, chief executive of CILT (UK), added: “Logistics skills are an essential requirement for every successful business. Apprentice training extends individuals personally as well as professionally and equips them for lifelong career progression.
“CILT champions professional standards across the logistics sector and recognises apprenticeship training as an ideal basis for career development.” More articles from Handling & Storage Solutions: | 
