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Logistics takes centre stage on Brackmills estate

28 October 2016

Attracting young people into logistics was the focus of a recent business breakfast, with Northamptonshire companies urged to help address the national skills shortage in this sector.

Brackmills Industrial Estate joined forces with the Northampton College Logistics Academy to hold a logistics and apprenticeships event at the estate’s automation business Festo Ltd.
 
James Whybrow, Assistant Principal of Northampton College, said: “It was great to see so many businesses passionate about inspiring our students and supporting apprenticeships. We would urge companies to do everything from mentor a student and provide a paid internship placement during the summer to deliver a masterclass at school or host of workplace tour.
 
"We have over 2,500 16 to 18-year-olds studying with us and the College is keen to play a major role in the development of the future talent workforce for Brackmills, so please get in touch.”
 
Sara Homer, Executive Chair of Brackmills Industrial Estate Business Improvement District (BID), said: “Currently only 9% of the logistics sector workforce is aged under 25 and very few young people leaving education choose to enter the sector. We want to change that.”
 
Businesses attending included Dachser Ltd, which has recently recruited its first female apprentice – a former student of Northampton College.
 
Chief executive of South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), Stephen Catchpole, opened the event, welcoming businesses and encouraging delegates to promote apprenticeships in the logistics sector.
 

An UKCES report from October 2014 highlighted the skills shortages within the logistics sector and concluded that young people simply aren’t aware of the career paths that are open to them. The sector acknowledges that it is sometimes perceived to be dominated by freight transport and road haulage. But careers in logistics also depend on many other skills including IT, languages, analytical problem solving, and communications skills.

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