On Track to Deliver
The Logistics Skills Alliance (LSA) is a membership organisation formed by the college in 2013. Its goal is to bridge the gap between young people and the logistics sector, providing training solutions for this thriving local industry.
Since August, we have been delivering Level 1 Warehousing and Storage and Level 2 Forklift Truck qualifications direct to jobseekers at the Skills + Logistics Centre. We are now an approved RTITB (Road Transport Industry Training Board) centre and over the summer, we secured Education & Training Foundation funding to deliver a teaching, learning and assessment project focused on the transport and logistics sector in preparation for the introduction of the Technical Levels from 2020.
In addition to the training, an essential role of the LSA is to organise regular networking events, which allow us to understand the needs of this diverse sector that cuts across road, rail, sea and air. The first national event, entitled the Logistics Vision Summit, was held last Wednesday 27th September. Over 50 transport and logistics employers and organisations from across the country attended to share insights on the challenges and opportunities facing logistics operators as we approach 2025.
It was standing room only as Principal Tracy Aust opened the meeting with a clear commitment that the college stands ready to support the sector with expert training and access to a pool of talented local students, such as the Level 3 Aviation students, who took part in the event. Other speakers included the chair of governors and Heathrow executive, Simon Wilcox, together with representatives from SEGRO, the Department of Work & Pensions and Transport for London.
By the end of the day several major employers had signed up as LSA members including Geodis, DB Schenker, Toll Global Forwarding and UPS. We are planning apprenticeship provision with Whistl and will continue to work with the Institute of Couriers and the University of West London to be one of the leading partnerships of employers and education institutions offering the Express delivery and management apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6.
The college is busy working through these new opportunities and preparations are already underway for a follow-up event in the New Year.
There really is no turning back...
