Hull University Business School: New opportunities need investment in training
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By Richard Faint, commercial manager at The Logistics Institute, Hull University Business School (pictured left). WHETHER you realise it or not, logistics is the profession that moves the world – from your corner sandwich shop to the multinational retailer, all businesses compete through their supply chain. Over the past few years, there has been a real move in Yorkshire towards more renewable energies and growth in port industries – for example the announcement from Siemens of its intention to build its wind farm off the Yorkshire coast and the recent move by Able UK to build massive facilities on the bank of the Humber. In fact, the Humber region already employs around 91,000 people in logistics functions, which is around nine per cent of the total UK logistics employment, so you could say that it is already well placed to take advantage of these opportunities. However, it is clear, that there has never been a greater need to increase education about these sectors, to ensure that we retain our talent and that the forecasted new job roles stay within the region. The Logistics Institute at Hull University Business School is at the heart of this training, with short courses available at all levels and is working closely with local councils and businesses across Yorkshire to understand what education and training is needed, raising the awareness that these opportunities exist not just for individuals but for businesses. From those new to the industry to top flight executives, the institute offers a range of open programmes in subjects from Six Sigma business efficiency to supply chain management, and HGV driver training through our partner training organisation Carmichael Training Ltd. The school is also taking a new approach to helping future recruitment to the logistics industry, by developing specific education initiatives aimed at Yorkshire schools. The institute is home to the first European simulator demonstrator centre for US business, L3-MPRI. The simulators relate to ‘real life’ jobs in construction and logistics and offer scenario training for mobile crane drivers, tower crane operators, liquid cargo handling and port crane operators. In conjunction with Hull-based consultants Archomai, pupils from schools in Hull have been offered the opportunity to ‘have a go’ – experiencing what it might be like to load a container onto a ship safely or dig the foundations of a new building and giving them an understanding some of the skills required to use heavy equipment. The session also includes a simulation game which demonstrates the key principles of supply chain management. These sessions give students an introduction to logistics and highlight the essential nature of the industry and how it impacts on daily life. It also gives them an overview of the range of different careers open to them in the industry. They are also given a tour around the institute and are able to ask questions about some of the technologies used to move and protect goods, such as RFID, warehouse management, and supply chain simulation. The simulators are also being used as part of ongoing work with Hull’s Cat.Zero project, which gives young adults age 16-19 in the city who are currently not in education, employment or training the chance to acquire new skills, qualifications and experiences to create an attractive CV for seeking employment and training. These young adults are not only offered sessions with the simulators but also talks from executives within the industry, with the aim of raising aspirations and awareness of the employment opportunities within the logistics and freighting industry. By opening up the institute to people of all ages and stages in development, it is hoped that it will raise awareness of logistics technologies and how young people can access the industry through education and training. This interaction, coupled with the school’s work with the Logistics Academy Yorkshire and Humber – which brings together employers, training providers and other stakeholders – demonstrates its commitment as an institution to furthering awareness and education in the logistics industry. With such a potential wealth of career opportunities in the logistics industry likely to be opened on the doorstep over the next few years, it is hugely important that investment is made into the quality training and skills development helping them to meet the current and future skills demands within the industry that moves the world. More articles in
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