Road transport and logistics is a diverse sector that plays a major role in the UK and global economy. Within the industry, the term ‘logistics’ refers to the movement of freight. It is often described by the method of goods transportation (i.e. road, sea, air or rail), however large logistics companies use all types of transport within a variety of industries.
Freight and logistics
The UK logistics sector is worth almost £75 billion to the economy, employing around 2.3 million people in some 196,000 companies. Freight logistics companies fall into two groups: those that manage their own distribution system and those that manage it on behalf of another company; the latter organisations are referred to as third-party logistics (3PL). According to Skills for Logistics (the Sector Skills Council for the UK’s freight logistics industries), over 60% of UK freight is carried for ‘hire and reward’ (i.e. 3PL) on behalf of another company.
The industry has previously suffered from major skills shortages, in particular of larger goods vehicles (LGV; formerly HGV) drivers. However, recruitment of LGV drivers is not currently a major concern for employers, although recruiting women and people from minority ethnic groups into the profession is still proving difficult. Logistics currently suffers from the misguided perception that it is an industry in which it is hard to develop a successful career path.
The industry is heavily reliant on subcontractors and smaller haulage firms, and needs extensive, well-structured and continuing training to recruit and retain drivers.
Passenger transport
Britons make 4.5 million journeys a year, travelling nearly 15 billion miles in nearly 100,000 coaches and buses, with two out of every three passenger journeys being taken by bus, however 25% of the workforce is aged 55 or more. Fleets of vans, taxis, hire cars, cranes and other forms of transport, together with private motorists, make up well over 30 million licensed vehicles in the UK. It is estimated that 223,000 people drive buses and coaches, with another 215,000 driving taxis and private hire vehicles. Male employees make up 80% of the total, significantly more in bus, coach, taxi and private hire vehicles. More than half of the passenger transport workforce is qualified to level 2 and above.
Transport skills gained in the Services
Every unit has its Motor Transport Officer who runs a fleet of vehicles and drivers. Transport units have many more managers and drivers as the total unit holding is split into fleets of all sizes and descriptions. Since the Services are usually concerned with mobility in their activities, transport features heavily in all that they do. The Defence School of Transport (DST) takes students from all three Services on a huge variety of courses. Programmes emphasise vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, so that every student on a major course leaves with a qualification. For resettlement, training in transport management and driving can be accessed through the Career Transition Partnership. Service drivers who already hold a C or C+E Licence (see box) may need to convert to civilian standards and practices.
VEHICLE LICENSING CATEGORIES
Although there are some others, the basic vehicle licence categories are:
- A – motor cycle
- B – motor car
- B+E – motor car and trailer
- C – lorries over 3,500 kg with a trailer up to 750 kg
- C1 – lorries between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg with trailer up to 750 kg
- C+E – lorries over 3,500 kg with a trailer over 750 kg
- D – PCV with more than eight seats and trailer up to 750 kg
- D+E – as D, with a trailer over 750 kg
- D1 – PCV with 9–16 seats, with or without trailer up to 750 kg
- D1+E – as D1, with a trailer over 750 kg.
Source: www.direct.gov.uk
Qualifications and training
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT(UK)) offers a number of modular qualifications at the following levels (because they are modular, most can be studied as stand-alone units).
- Level 2 Certificate – for new employees or students; provides a broad understanding of logistics and transport.
- Level 3 Certificate – designed to provide a solid foundation for a career within the transport, logistics and supply chain sectors; aims to equip existing and potential supervisors and first-line managers with a complete set of management skills; the qualification offers two different routes – competency and examination.
- Level 5 Professional Diploma – a professional qualification for those individuals already working within logistics and transport who wish to develop a strategic view of logistics and transport operations, and to become capable of reviewing operational activities; the Professional Diploma provides the educational standard for full Membership of the Institute (MILT).
- Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transport – a qualification providing those strategic management skills required for professional and business development for individuals in the logistics and transport sectors.
- MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management/MSc International Transport and Logistics – providing the necessary skills and knowledge to bridge the gap between operational and strategic management, to fulfil professional potential and enhance strategic capabilities for the benefit of both individual and their organisation.
Large goods vehicles (LGVs)
LGV (C) licence holders require a current clean B licence and should be a minimum age of 21 (any age in the Services). Implementation of EU Directive 2003/59 requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in addition to their vocational driving licence (see below). Some insurers may insist that people driving certain loads, like hazardous chemicals, are over 30. Employers and trainers look for ability at reading, writing and maths, and require an aptitude test. Everyone requires a medical exam, including eyesight and colour blindness tests. Freight transport vocational qualifications are available as national and Scottish vocational qualifications, and as apprenticeships.
Driver CPC
Driver CPC training is continuing professional development that carries on throughout a professional bus, coach or lorry driver’s career. All professional bus, coach and lorry drivers are now required to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. This is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life. There are two parts to the legislation:
- the initial qualification, which must be achieved by new LGV and PCV drivers along with their vocational licence to enable them to use their licence professionally
- periodic training, which involves all professional drivers undertaking 35 hours of training every five years.
New LGV or PCV drivers will have to pass an initial Driver CPC qualification before being able to drive professionally. This can be taken at the same time as the vocational driving test. Driver CPC came into force across all EU member states on:
- 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers (PCV)
- 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers (LGV).
Existing professional bus, coach and lorry drivers are deemed to hold Driver CPC by ‘acquired rights’. However, they must complete their periodic training within five years of the introduction of Driver CPC as follows:
- 9 September 2013 for PCV licence holders
- 9 September 2014 for LGV licence holders.
Those who hold both a PCV licence and an LGV licence will be required to complete only one set of periodic training.
The existing ‘Transport Manager’s CPC’, also known as the ‘Operator’s CPC’, is a separate qualification and anyone holding one, who still drives professionally as part of their job, will also need to hold a Driver CPC.
CPC and Armed Forces drivers
Because those driving as part of their job in the Armed Forces are exempt from the above requirements while serving (Driver CPC does not form part of their MoD LGV/PCV training) those leaving the Forces with a PCV or LGV licence issued after September 2008 or 2009, respectively, will need to pass the initial seven-hour core module Driver CPC qualification in order to obtain their Drivers’ Qualification Card, which will allow them to drive legally in a civilian capacity. They will then have five years in which to complete the required 35 hours of periodic training. Those Forces leavers who gained their licence before these dates will have ‘acquired rights’, as stated above, and will therefore need only to complete the 35 hours’ periodic training within five years.
For more information see the direct.gov website: www.direct.gov.uk.
Passenger transport: coach and bus driving
There are no formal academic entry requirements to become a coach driver, although employers will expect basic levels of literacy and numeracy. Bus drivers, however, need to have a PCV licence, also known as a category D licence, as well their PCV Driver CPC (see above). To drive for a commercial operation, coach drivers will also need a PCV Driver CPC. Adult entry is common, and drivers in the Forces with a D licence must convert to civilian standards and practices. To train for this licence, a full UK driving licence is required. Drivers cannot train for the PCV licence and Driver CPC until they are at least 18. However, PCV drivers must usually wait until the age of 21 to be allowed to drive on major bus or coach routes. Many companies give entrants PCV and Driver CPC training while paying them a trainee wage. It is also possible to train for the licence and Driver CPC independently.
Van driving
A number of people drive vans either full-time or as part of another job. Those driving vans over 3.5 tonnes need a C Licence and those driving vans over 7.5 tonnes require a C1 Licence. For smaller vans, only a B Licence is required. The minimum age for driving ‘light commercial vehicles’ is 18, although some insurers insist on 21. Some employers prefer people aged 25 with experience and a good driving record.
Chauffeurs
Driving, maintaining and cleaning high-powered cars, together with a B Licence, are the basic requirements for this employment. Chauffeurs should have several years’ driving experience with a clean record. Membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and some knowledge of defensive driving techniques could be advantageous.
Taxi drivers and private hire
Taxi drivers must hold a full, clean B Licence. They need good local area knowledge and may require a test. They are licensed by their local authority, or the Public Carriage Office in London, and this special licence can be held only by people over 21 who have passed a medical.
Dangerous goods
Every company involved in the transportation of dangerous goods must have a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA), who must pass the necessary courses to become qualified in:
- basic dangerous goods transport
- safe transport of dangerous goods in small packages
- completing and checking dangerous goods transport documents
- safe loading of dangerous goods vehicles and containers.
KEY CONTACTS
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK, Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, Northants NN17 4AX Tel: 01536 740104 Website: www.ciltuk.org.uk
Skills for Logistics, 12 Warren Yard, Warren Farm Office Village, Milton Keynes MK12 5NW Tel: 01908 313360 Website: www.skillsforlogistics.org
GoSkills, Concorde House, Trinity Park, Solihull, West Midlands B37 7UQ, Tel: 0121 635 5520 Website: www.goskills.org
For more information on obtaining your Driver CPC, see www.direct.gov.uk (in the ‘Motoring’ section)
