Skills for Logistics has launched a scheme to help former military personnel make the transition to civilian logistics careers.
The Military Work Placement Scheme, which is being supported by government funding, is a pilot scheme for up to 1,000 people leaving the armed forces.
Under the scheme, military leavers will get two weeks work experience in civilian logistics at the end of which they will get a guaranteed interview for a job.
One of the difficulties that former military personnel can have in making the transition to civilian work is impressing potential employers at interview. So there will be there will also be feedback from the interviews, and they will also become members of The Logistics Guild with access to the support available there.
Unveiling the scheme Mick Jackson, CEO of Skills for Logistics highlighted the fact that the logistics industry needs to recruit some 500,000 people by 2017 to replace those retiring as well as to meet industry growth.
About 20,000 people leave the armed services every year and SfL believes a significant proportion of them could move into careers in the civilian logistics industry.
The launch, which took place at The Imperial War Museum in London, was attended by transport minister Stephen Hammond as well as employers and representatives of the military.
“The logistics industry is the backbone of businesses up and down our country so it is vital that we continue to find ways to inject it with talented hard-workers,” said Hammond. “The military have exactly the sort of transferable skills that can drive this crucial sector forward.”
Skills for Logistics received £1.14 million, under the third phase of UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ Employer Investment Fund (EIF3), to deliver this programme for transition from military to civilian logistics for up to 1000 people leaving the armed forces.
“Employers are very enthusiastic to get involved in the programme and have access to the excellent resource,” said Jackson. “In addition to driving and warehousing jobs we will be looking for jobs in freight management and supply chain management so we want candidates from all ranks including officers and senior NCOs.”
Companies already involved in the scheme include Kuehne + Nagel, Allied Bakeries, Wincanton, Boots and Next.
The Logistics Guild houses SfL’s Professional Development Stairway, which allows individuals to match their skills, qualifications and job roles to agreed national job standards across the industry.
