At this year’s International Forklift Operator of the Year, there are more female operators through to the final than ever before along with the youngest ever entrants at just 18 years old. Is this a sign that the logistics industry is changing?
“It is reported that 1 in 12 people in the UK work in a logistics role, but only a small proportion of these are women or young people,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director of RTITB, the preferred workplace transport training body. “Most HGV drivers are male and the average age is 51, so attracting young people and women into the logistics industry is critical as they approach retirement.”
The logistics industry is a diverse and exciting sector with a wide range of careers available including drivers, warehouse operators, planners, accountants and management roles.
“I understand that the industry will need in excess of 450,000 new people over next 5 years giving young people and women some amazing opportunities,” says Laura whose organisation trains drivers including women and people under the age of 25 to either drive a forklift, lorry or undergo a variety of other logistics related training.
UK organisation Women in Logistics is working to get the message across to female jobseekers that, for example, compared with hair and beauty, there is a staggering ten times as many jobs available in logistics.
Ruth Waring FCILT, Founder of Women in Logistics UK, says “Careers in logistics are interesting and rewarding for women and we’re encouraging employers to look at female potential when recruiting, as well as encouraging female applicants to think about logistics as a career at all entry levels.”
“The environment, technology and physical requirements of the logistics industry have changed so much,” says Laura. “Women and young people can become exceptional HGV drivers or forklift operators, proven at this year’s International Forklift Operator of the Year.”
“The International Forklift Operator of the Year award is about recognising the best of best and showing supply chain professionals that skilled, safe, efficient forklift operators can make a huge difference to productivity and profitability within their company,” says Laura Nelson.
At the International Materials Handling Exhibition from 13–16 September at the NEC, Birmingham, 40 of the top forklift drivers will battle it out for a spot in the Grand Finals of the competition. In these heats, the skilled drivers will have to complete a series of assessments specially designed to test their skills and knowledge of safe forklift operation in front of industry specialists and professionals.
Among the competitors this year are a number of forklift operators from well-known, international companies including the winner of the Indian Forklift Operator of the Year 2015.
“The competition celebrates the need for the correct training to help businesses to increase safety, reduce costs and maximise productivity,” says Laura. “And of course it helps to grow and retain good people within the logistics sector.”
“There are over 2 million jobs in logistics which we believe have largely been overlooked by women and young people,” says Laura. “I hope the competition helps raise awareness of these opportunities and that it is a sign that we will start to see more young people and women taking the logistics industry into the future.”
