Technology & Innovation - Issue 11

within, with employers cherishing daily on-the-job experience, thus fuelling long-term ambition. Young people might join the sector at an entry level position straight from school, or perhaps consider an apprenticeship or graduate role. Regardless, there will be plenty of opportunities for them to learn, train on the job and grow into a new role. Today, warehouse operative – tomorrow, CEO. 2. Purpose Logistics keeps the world moving. It’s not just an important sector but an essential one, focused on moving anything and everything anywhere and everywhere – to the right place, at the right time and for the right price. Beyond bringing parcels to your door and shipping cargo around the world, it’s also about getting food on shelves, and delivering medicine to the sick and aid to the needy. Logistics is an area where the impacts are real, every single day. 3. Reward Logistics is a profession that rewards effort, talent and attitude. Salaries in logistics are highly competitive, particularly for those with specialist skills, and yet it’s a sector with a skills shortage – representing an opportunity for young people to step in and step up at pace. Those progressing to senior positions (regardless of their starting point) can earn well into six figures, but the rewards aren’t just financial. There’s also the people they’ll be working alongside, the excitement of a developing career journey in a growing sector, and the impact they’ll see themselves making on the world. 4. Innovation Modern logistics is all about innovation; using cutting edge technologies to find ways of doing things better, quicker and more sustainably. As well as being a brilliant sector for those seeking career progression and personal growth, it’s also a career for those wanting to push the boundaries of what’s possible, be it game-changing delivery tech, or decarbonisation of the supply chain. Bright ideas and newways of thinking are always welcomed. 5. Diversity A sector as diverse as logistics needs a diverse workforce. The greater the diversity of people, the greater the diversity of the skills in the sector, the healthier and more effective the sector will be. Because of that, you can be sure that logistics is somewhere where your students’ talents will be appreciated, where their skills will be developed, and where their ambitions can be realised. Qualifications and pathways With so many different areas of work, youmight be thinking that specialist qualifications would be the order of the day. Getting relevant qualifications is a good idea, but in logistics that generally happens on the job. Most of the job families listed above have entry level positions open to those without specialist qualifications. It’s muchmore about attitude and ambition, with the result that having an interest in, or indeed passion for the sector goes a long way. That said, apprenticeships (and degree apprenticeships), summer internships, placement schemes and graduate schemes can all be great starting points from which your students can begin to pursue a career in the sector. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bethany Windsor is the Programme Director of Generation Logistics – a national, sector-backed campaign designed to raise awareness of the career opportunities available to young people within the logistics profession; for more information, visit generationlogistics.org LOGISTICS INTHE CLASSROOM If you’re interested in introducing the sector to your class, these resources can help you get started... Education Hub Providing FREE curriculum- mapped resources for 13- to 18-year-olds, the Education Hub is designed to support education professionals as you mould the next generation of logistics talent. Featuring engaging downloadable lesson activities, student- ready tools and many other resources, the Hub can provide the information and support needed to help you raise awareness of logistics as an exciting and viable career path. There, you’ll also find a request form for our Ambassador Programme and a downloadable Careers Booklet. educationhub. generationlogistics.org Ambassador Programme Logistics is a great profession, but don’t just take our word for it. You can request a Generation Logistics Ambassador to visit your school or college and deliver a talk on their experiences of working within the logistics sector – and why your students should consider this pathway, too. The Careers Booklet The Generation Logistics Careers Booklet presents a detailed outline of what the modern logistics sector looks like, as well as the career prospects available to young people today. It also breaks down the key areas of logistics, and includes case studies from logisticians (both junior and senior) currently working in each and every area – with details of salary bands – for curious minds. 27 S C H O O L S O L U T I O N S teachwire.net