Talent in Logistics Conference to address skills shortage

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Tuesday 25 April 2017

An open forum for managers and learning and development (L&D) professionals in the transport, warehousing and logistics sector will take place at the Talent in Logistics Conference 2017 in Telford next month – where participants will be able to discuss how to improve employee skills, and attract and retain the best people for their businesses.

The conference will aim to address a perceived lack of regard for the logistics sector – which is estimated to require an additional 588,000 workers over the next six years – as an attractive career option. Conference organisers say that this, coupled with an ageing workforce and the added complications of Brexit, makes it vital for organisations to offer employees opportunities to train, develop skills and progress their careers.

The free-to-attend Talent in Logistics Conference takes place at the headquarters of event supporter, transport training accrediting body RTITB, in Telford on 22 June – and will aim to help organisations better procure and deliver training that is right for their people and their business objectives.

Speakers confirmed include David Hayden, L&D consultant from CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), who will discuss “Making Strategic L&D Work in Practice”.

Gary Forster, chief executive officer of sustainable transport charity Transaid, will present “The importance of material handling in economically developing countries” – and managing director of Mentor Training, Stuart Taylor, will also be speaking.

Other topics to be addressed will include the latest developments in learning theory and technology applied to lift truck training and LGV driver training; the latest developments in legislation, regulation and best practice for material handling equipment and large goods vehicle driving; the future of logistics and its impact on training; getting a return for businesses from the apprenticeship levy; and effective marketing of training businesses.

A full agenda of 18 conference sessions is available on the Talent in Logistics website.

Supporting companies include the National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI), Merlin Supply Chain Solutions, Mentor Training Services, Specialised Training Services, RTITB, UniCarriers, McCue, Pyroban and Transaid.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to drop in to the Information Zone, an exhibition taking place alongside the conference. This will enable managers to talk directly to leading voices in the industry about some of the key issues that logistics and transport businesses face, such as training procurement and the apprenticeship levy.

The live Grand Finals of the International Forklift Operator of the Year and Lift Truck Instructor of the Year 2017 competitions will also take place during the day, with the winners to be announced that evening at the Talent in Logistics Awards.

Those wishing to book a free conference space or tickets for the Awards evening can do so via the Talent in Logistics website.