Multimodal is teaming up with education charity Career Colleges Trust (CCT) to help build a talent pipeline of future logistics leaders and close the skills gap in the supply chain industry.
Young talent will be put centre stage at next year’s event between the 14th and the 16th June 2022, giving CCT seminar platforms to speak to employers and students, and supporting its plans to develop a cluster of Further Education (FE) colleges offering a dedicated logistics programme.
This year’s Multimodal show, attended by over 7200 visitors, featured a seminar session focused on apprenticeships hosted by the British International Freight Association (BIFA)’s Carl Hobbis as well as a panel of young freight forwarders who shared their experiences of joining the industry with an audience of employers and students.
“It was truly inspirational to hear from our young freight professionals, and what came across loud and clear was the fantastic and interesting opportunities they feel logistics has to offer, as well as career progression and stability,” said Robert Jervis, Director, Multimodal.
“But the message was also that they had fallen into the industry rather than knowing about it beforehand, and that has to change.
“Multimodal is in a unique position to champion the logistics sector, bringing together all sections of the supply chain, and, by working with organisations like CCT, we can make a tangible difference for a better future.”
Last week’s three-day Multimodal show at the Birmingham NEC brought together over 7200 visitors with 162 exhibitors.
Delegates heard from 80 thought leaders on topics from Brexit survival strategies, to digitisation, UK Freeports, and the impact of 5G on efficiencies at ports.
The Multimodal Awards, hosted by football legend Kevin Keegan, were attended by 840 guests, who gave generously to a raffle and auction raising a record-breaking £14,315 for charity Transaid.
Fifty percent of this year’s exhibitors have already booked for next year.
CCT has eight colleges already involved in the development of its new Logistics Programme, seven of which are recruiting students for a September 2022 start.
Its vision, supported by Multimodal, is to have a Logistics Career College in all areas with high logistics skills demands, and, at the least, a college attached to each of the new UK Freeports.
“The Career Colleges Trust is delighted to join up with Multimodal to push forward with our plans to develop a cluster of FE colleges across the UK to deliver a Logistics and International Supply Chain Management Programme to secure skills and career opportunities for young people,” said Rachel May, Director of Employer Involvement, CCT.
“Working with employers, we hope to build a talent pipeline of future employees to close the skills gaps in a key sector for the UK economy.”
CCT colleges involved in the Logistics Programme to date include Eastleigh, Coleg Gwent, Hugh Baird, Pembrokeshire College, City College Plymouth, South Essex, Stockton Riverside College and West Suffolk.
