By Nick Wilson 
The transport and logistics sector can be an extremely rewarding career choice – however not many people consider it as such. Lorry transport specialists cover a wide range of job roles, it’s not just lorry drivers.
From mechanics through to customer service representatives, the transport and logistics industry is varied and diverse. The sector is currently on a drive to encourage more people to consider a career within the industry, including apprenticeships.
The sector plays an extremely important role in ensuring the country and the economy keeps moving – literally keeping goods on the road throughout the year.
So, what do you need to know if you’re thinking about joining the sector? Our team of experts explore the jobs market in our latest blog post.
What Is The Landscape Of The Transport And Logistics Sector?
The sector is one of the UKs largest employers, with over 2.5 million people working within the logistics industry. There are almost 200,000 companies within the industry too, and this continues to grow.
It’s a vital part of the UK economy, ensuring goods travel around the country and the world efficiently and on time. It’s the lifeblood of many different sectors, including retail, food and drink and hospitality, as without the transport and logistics sectors many of these industries would grind to a halt.
However, it can be an underappreciated sector, with many people not realising the important role it plays in our day-to-day lives. After all, pretty much everything we rely on is transported to us via lorries and HVGs, from the milk in our morning cup of coffee to the cars we drive to work in every day.
How Do You Start A Career In The Logistics Sector?
Roles in logistics are varied and offer many different career paths. Some require qualifications and training whilst for others you can find entry level roles with little to no experience.
It goes without saying that if you’re interested in becoming a lorry driver you will have to take special HGV lessons and after this, you’ll need to pass the test for the HGV license.
However, if you’re more interested in the planning or operations side of the industry, some basic IT and organisation skills may be all you require.
Is There A Skills Shortage In The Industry?
The sector is currently crying out for enthusiastic people to join – in fact around 98% of businesses are reporting problems with hiring and retaining employees.
This is due to a range of factors including Brexit which meant many European workers returned home, additional requirements when transporting goods into the EU, and the covid 19 pandemic having a knock-on effect on the job market.
As a result, there are many opportunities to forge a career path with incentives such as apprenticeships also available.
Is It Good Pay And Are There Opportunities To Climb The Career Ladder?
Contrary to popular belief, careers within the transport and logistics sectors are well paid. There are plentiful opportunities for career progression and chances to rise up the ranks if you’re hoping to develop your role further. As a result, you can benefit from high job satisfaction doing a role that you truly enjoy doing.