Freight transport management, driving and vehicle maintenance are all elements of the supply chain – the movement of materials from the supplier, sourced by the organisation’s buyers, from raw stocks, through production, to become finished goods which are then distributed to customers. 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 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 out for ‘hire and reward’ (i.e. 3PL) on behalf of another company.

Although, as noted above, there is a growing trend towards utilising various forms of logistics and transportation companies, it is still very much the case that road freight transport makes up the majority of the market, at around 65%. It is the main mode of freight transport (around 82% of freight moved around the UK is transported by road), with rail, water and air transport being smaller operations, highlighting that road transportation accounts for the movement of considerably more freight than its total market share would suggest.

The industry is heavily reliant on subcontractors and smaller haulage firms, and needs extensive, well-structured and continuing training to recruit and retain drivers.

Skills shortages in the industry

The industry has suffered from major skills shortages, in particular of larger goods vehicles (LGV) drivers. The past decade has seen a reduction in the number of drivers passing the LGV test: only 18% of recruits into companies were new trainees – the vast majority came from other road transport employers. 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 a difficult task. Logistics currently suffers from the misguided perception that it is a difficult industry in which to develop a successful career path.

Road transport driving and management 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. Formations and bases also often have dedicated transport assets, and their personnel can either be in the job full-time or combine it with other functions.

Many other military people are also concerned with transport, although they do not work in vehicle fleets themselves. They may be involved with anything from project management to training, and from garaging to movement planning. 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 (CTP). Service drivers who already hold a C or C+E licence (see box) may need to convert to civilian standards and practices.

Employment
Freight transport specialists (managers and drivers) work in:

• national and local government
• freight transport companies
• travel and tourism
• the coal, oil, steel, gas and electricity industries
• ports and airports
• mail and parcel delivery
• breweries, supermarkets, clothing and food manufacturers
• consultancies
• subcontractors to all of the above.

Transport management opportunities exist in functions including:

• planning
• customer services
• engineering
• research and development
• operations and fleet management
• information technology
• industrial design
• analysis
• health and safety
• the environment.

Qualifications and training for transport management

There are five main routes into transport management.

1. Graduate training entrants join management-training programmes run by employers. Degrees may be in transport and logistics, or in more general qualifications.
2. Postgraduate entry applicants will have an MSc in logistics or supply chain management, or an MBA in an appropriate discipline.
3. Graduates with management experience may look for a career change into transport and logistics, and will need to gain the necessary knowledge.
4. Service leavers with A-levels may move into management through on-the-job experience, while also studying for professional exams.
5. Professional qualifications, which must reflect the needs of the profession and employers, enable the translation of Service skills into their civilian equivalents.

Freight transport vocational qualifications are available as national and Scottish vocational qualifications, and as apprenticeships.

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a suitable first-level qualification for those wanting to pursue a career in transport management and fleet operation in the road freight industry – whether self-employed or as an employee of a larger organisation – and provides a good basis from which to progress to professional qualifications. Those operating or managing goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW (gross vehicle weight) require an Operator CPC, also known as the Transport Manager’s CPC (there is more information about the various types of CPC below).

CILT(UK)
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 strategic 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.

Carriage of 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.

Licensing and certification for drivers

LGV (C) licence holders require a current clean B (motor car) licence, and a minimum age of 21 (any age in the Services). Some insurers may insist that people driving certain loads, like hazardous chemicals, are over 30. Employers and trainers look for ability in reading, writing and maths, and require an aptitude test. Everyone is required to take a medical exam, including eyesight and colour blindness tests.

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

CPC training is continuing professional development that carries on throughout a professional lorry driver’s career. All professional 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 drivers throughout their working life. There are two parts to the legislation:

1. the initial qualification, which must be achieved by new LGV drivers along with their vocational licence to enable them to use their licence professionally
2. periodic training, which involves all professional drivers undertaking 35 hours of training every five years.

New LGV 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 in September 2009 for lorry drivers (LGV).

Existing professional 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, which means by 9 September 2014 for LGV licence holders.

As mentioned above, those operating or managing goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW require an Operator CPC, also known as the Transport Manager’s CPC (this is a separate qualification from the Driver CPC, so anyone holding an Operator CPC who still drives professionally as part of their job will also need to hold a Driver CPC). Those wishing to obtain a standard licence must hold the relevant Certificate of Professional Competence in Road Haulage (CPC) qualification. A Standard Operator’s Licence is required for ‘hire and reward’ operations and a Restricted Operator’s Licence for own account.

The 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 MoD LGV training), those leaving the Forces with an LGV licence issued after September 2009 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, please visit the Directgov website (see ‘Key contacts’).

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

Directgov – see www.direct.gov.uk