Logistics skills for a competitive edge - Shane Corbyn

Issue: Winter 2010

A skilled workforce is crucial to success in business and maintaining a competitive edge – with evidence suggesting that companies that don’t train are two and half times more likely to fail as these companies do not have the skills and flexibility to compete successfully.

Skills development can have an impact on bottom line benefits, with companies seeing reductions in sickness/absence rates, improved retention leading to reduction in recruitment and reduced accident rates. 

Examples are:
· 55% reduction in sickness absence at Maxim Logistics
· 3% lower absenteeism by apprentices at Unipart Logistics than rest of the workforce
· 50% lower accident rate amongst learners at DHL Aviation
· Staff turnover of 4.47% at DHL Aviation which has a significant impact on recruitment costs and temporary staffing

There are many opportunities for organisations in the logistics sector to upskill their workforce from entry level through to management. With 47% of the logistics workforce qualified below Level 2 (the equivalent of GCSE Grade A* - C) there is definitely a need to tap into the training and qualifications available.

Scottish/National Vocational Qualifications (SVQ/NVQ) are practical work based qualifications that are awarded to people who have demonstrated their skill, knowledge and understanding of all aspects of their job. They are achieved through assessment and training, a large proportion of which is carried out ‘on the job’. There are five levels of SVQ/NVQ ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for Senior Management.

The NVQ structure is changing with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework in 2010.

Apprentices hips provide practical training leading towards a vocational qualification based in a working environment. Apprenticeships are tailored to the specific needs of a job role, whilst also providing transferable skills that will benefit the apprentice throughout their working life.

The employee must be a minimum of 16 years of age:
· Apprenticeship – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
· Advanced Apprenticeship – equivalent to 2 A Level passes
· Higher Apprenticeship
· Modern Apprenticeship – these are delivered in Scotland and are available at Level 3

Each Apprenticeship comprises of four elements:
1. NVQ – refer to the NVQ overview
2. Technical Certificate – provides evidence of understanding the theoretical knowledge
3. Functional Skills – ensures a knowledge of basic literacy and numeracy skills
4. Employee Responsibilities & Rights – provides awareness of equal opportunities, health & safety and the ‘safe learner’ concept

Foundation Degrees are university-level qualifications that are designed for people in work. They combine work-based learning with academic study in order to enhance staff and organisational performance.

They are applicable to:
· Those with relevant experience (even without formal qualifications)
· Those with Level 3 qualifications (for example, NVQ3 or an Advanced Apprenticeship)
· School and college leavers who have completed level 3 qualifications and wish to gain an employment-focused degree.

There are a number of flexible study options, typically over a two year period. An additional top-up year enables learners to complete a full honours degree if required. Appropriate and essential work-based training can be included as part of the qualification where possible through accreditation of in-house programmes.

For further information on Foundation Degrees, visit: www.skillsforlogistics.org/en/index/standards/foundation-degree

Degrees and Postgraduate Qualifications – there are a range of degrees and postgraduate programmes in a wide range of subjects including logistics, transport planning and distribution. Further information on courses can be found at http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ or from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Logistics faces further skills issues with 32% in management roles qualified to below Level 2, and less than a third qualified at degree level. There are specific training solutions available for the sectors leaders and managers.

Leadership and Management – Skills for Logistics is working with a number of colleges and universities to develop accredited management and leadership programmes for the logistics sector. These programmes combine management and leadership with sector specific knowledge and can lead to university and other professional qualifications.

Shane Corbyn is Head of Demand Chain Development at Skills for Logistics. For details of funding for Wales and Northern Ireland, contact Neli Dlamini, Skills for Logistics’ Higher Skills Manager via e-mail: neli.dlamini@skillsforlogistics.org and for further information on training and skills development opportunities across the sector, contact Skills for Logistics on Tel: 01908 313360 or visit: www.skillsforlogistics.org

Published: 21/01/2010