On National Logistics Day, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced its continued support for the Generation Logistics initiative, a collaborative campaign aimed at increasing awareness and attracting young talent to the logistics sector.
The DfT’s funding of £300,000 for the second year of the campaign will help raise the profile of logistics careers in schools and colleges, encouraging young people to pursue rewarding paths in the industry.
The Generation Logistics campaign, launched in August 2022, is a joint effort between over 40 leading companies and trade associations, managed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT(UK)) and Logistics UK. In its first year, the campaign successfully generated significant engagement and reached an audience of over 340 million individuals.
The first year of government funding has had a positive impact, showcasing the diversity of career opportunities in this vital sector. That is why we are pleased to announce additional year 2 funding to further build resilience in the sector.
We continue to work closely with industry leaders, like CILT (UK) and Logistics UK, to fully understand the needs of the industry and this is yet another step we are taking to grow the economy and support industry across the UK.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper
It is fantastic news that the DfT has committed to supporting Generation Logistics for a further year and is recognition of the results we have achieved so far. This support lays the foundations for the campaign to push into its second year at what is a critical time for the industry.
As a sector, it is incumbent on us to do everything we can to highlight to young people embarking on their careers that logistics is an amazing sector to go into. You really can travel the world, but equally with developments in autonomous and remote vehicles, it’s no exaggeration to say you will be able to have a role working with the latest technology and perhaps even a nine to five desk job operating HGVs.
Phil Roe, Executive Sponsor of Generation Logistics
The campaign’s success can be seen in the impressive numbers it has achieved, including over 500,000 visits to the Generation Logistics Hub and almost three million engagements on social media. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the initiative in challenging perceptions and providing information about logistics career opportunities.
In the second year, Generation Logistics will focus on raising awareness among individuals aged 13-24 and educators in schools and colleges. By providing quality-assured, curriculum-mapped resources, the campaign aims to dispel misconceptions about the logistics industry and highlight the critical and diverse roles it offers.
The work being done by Generation Logistics complements much of what BIFA is doing to identify and attract the next generation of logistics professionals into roles within our sector. From our Young Forwarder Network, and Freight Development Pathway, to our campaign to encourage our members to work with schools to promote careers in logistics, forwarding and the supply chain.
National Logistics Day is an occasion to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the logistics industry. Hopefully, the additional government funding for Generation Logistics is further evidence that Whitehall recognises the hard work of logistics professionals and, embracing innovation, we pave the way for a more efficient, sustainable, and interconnected future.
Steve Parke, Director General, BIFA, Supporting partner of Generation Logistics
The government’s investment in Generation Logistics is part of its broader efforts to support employment and promote economic growth. With a total investment of £645,000 from the DfT (£345,000 in year one and £300,000 in year two), supplemented by industry sponsorship, the campaign is set to continue its impactful work in the logistics industry.
