The logistics industry is on the up despite tough economic times, according to The Logistics Report 2013 produced by the Freight Transport Association and PwC. But nurturing talent is a key priority for the industry.
The report accumulates research and analysis from the PwC and FTA and reviews the state of the logistics sector over the past 12 months and was sponsored and hosted by Andrew Bridgen MP for North West Leicestershire.
FTA chief executive, Theo de Pencier, said: “The report is an opportunity to reflect on what an outstanding year 2012 was, in the face of the economic growth which largely eluded us, he said. Logistics was central to the delivery of the two biggest shows on earth, the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“In these austere times, it has been reassuring to learn that companies have nevertheless increased their level of innovation. But when government is focusing on stimulating economic recovery, this report also serves as a timely reminder of some of the things FTA believes it can do to improve UK logistics and enable it to adapt to changing needs.”
The report highlights the importance of nurturing talent to the future of the industry. FTA director of policy Karen Dee said the logistics industry played a huge role in the economy due to its role as an employer, but that some areas of the industry were facing challenges, such as an ageing workforce in truck drivers.
As part of the research, FTA carried out the Logistics Industry Survey 2012/2013, in which it asked companies what changes they thought would take place in employment and training this year as compared to 2012.
The survey showed that the number of respondents expecting to increase training in 2013 has increased to 37 per cent, up from last year’s figure of 28 per cent.
Coolin Desai, UK Transport & Logistics Industry Leader for PwC, said: “We want talent at graduate and other levels in this sector. We need to demonstrate how logistics is a core function in business and give evidence of attraction in the industry.”
The government is expected to play a big role in the future by doing what can be done to work within the industry and restore confidence in people- the industry and its investments and the consumers and their spends.